Newsletter from 12/2/21 - Dec 2, 2021

Egyptian Tortoise ESA listing update

We have updated our alert to include sample messaging and Talking Points so that you may easily submit comments. If you missed our announcement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the Egyptian tortoise ( Testudo kleinmanni) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Without common-sense exceptions, this has unintended consequences that actually harm the conservation of this species. We explain this in our alert (link below). The comment deadline is January 10, 2022.

Alert link: Egyptian tortoise ESA listing | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers

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National Ban on Animal Programs

We have updated our alert to include the House companion bill. Since the Senate and House each have a bill, you should contact your Senators and Representative. Senate Bill 3220 and House Bill 5999 prohibit using certain animals (list below that even includes tortoises and small monitors) in “traveling animal acts,” which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. S3220/HR5999 would amend Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 24 2143) to include this ban on animal programs.

This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act of 2021,” includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion while misleading the reader. The animal rights groups always fight with emotion over fact and they target legislators who fall for their games or sympathize with the animal rights agenda to remove all animals from our lives. This is an animal rights written bill! A legislator did not author this bill. Animal rights is a radical ideology against keeping any animals under human care (i.e. no pets, no livestock, no zoos, etc.). It is far different than animal welfare which supports animals being kept humanely.

Read more and take action at Federal Traveling Animal Act Ban | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers.

Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/4535634293185155

Shirts for Sale on Website

USARK shirts are now available online! We have a limited number of old logo shirts posted on our website for sale. You can find them under the SHOP link at the top of the page. All shirts ordered by December 3 will ship the first full week of December. Full details and pics at https://usark.org/product/usark-t-shirt-old-logo/.

More shirts will be listed when available.

Find A Vet

Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.

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