Hello!

Just wanted you all to read this link - the RSPCA are trying to create a ban on reptiles as pets over here in the UK. We signed the petition of course, and I hope it doesnt come to fruition cause no-ones getting through my door to my herps!
I'll let you read it for yourselves but all I can say is i'm not happy!!

http://www.petitionthem.com/default....detail&pet=994

That is totally not cool. I hope everything works out for the best.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

(sigh) When are these people going to realize that total bannings are not going to do any good??? They need to target bad breeders and sellers and work on education instead of banning!!! Geez, ya know what? Dogs and cats get horrid treatment from owners that impulse buy them, neglect them, abuse them, use them in fighting rings... but they don't ban cats and dogs... why??? Because it's NOT going to solve a darn thing!!!!!

I do hope that everything works out for you!!!

Im really glad that you posted that, Rachel, and shared it with everyone. It further makes the point of how herpers need to be aware of these issues. It would also be great if we made a category for herp awareness that specifically gives the necessary space for voicing these important concerns.

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"Spread Reptile Awareness!"

"You know you have faith when you realize that thoughts are things; what you feel, you attract; and what you imagine, you become."
-Joseph Murphy, Phd

Hey guys

Yeah all of you have valid points. Unfortunately reptiles are still misunderstood animals and people dont like what they dont understand
However movements like that really offend me, and i'm sure other herp owners, because I take extremely good care of my animals - i treat them like my kids and if I ever have spare money it goes on them! I'd never cause any pain or suffering to any animal and these people dont seem to realise that. I'm not saying that animal groups like the RSPCA dont do a good job - of course they do a fantastic job, but as you said Red, what is the banning of owning certain animals going to do to help the animals that are being mistreated?

I have always thought that they should bring in licences. We used to have dog licences and we have to have a DWA licence to own venemous snakes for example. Why not bring in an animal licence? Perhaps then the people abusing would think twice about getting an animal just to mistreat it. I for one, as a caring animal owner, wouldnt mind at all having to obtain a licence. It would give me some peace of mind to know that a few less animals were having a hard life because of irresponsible owners.

Well, off my soap box now...


Todd - thats a great idea, i'll put it forward to admin.Thanks for the suggestion.

Bitis, I tried to sign the petition, but they are obviously looking for people that live in the UK (oops!!) so I'll let that part go for now. In the States, people are required to have a license for their dogs. Pet licensing seems to be alot better than banning them completely. Thank you for posting that, and please keep us updated as to the outcome.

I'm all for liscencing as well (as long as the requirements are not overkill)... I did sign it, it says that a postal address isn't required, so I didn't put mine in... just my name and email address...

Not only would bannings not help the mistreatment of animals, but it would increase the black market tremendously which would affect wild numbers since people would not go to breeders and stores. I'm certainly not knocking any SPCA either, but they are making a decision based on solely negative information... they don't know enough about snakes to really make a call that is right for the animals and the public. That's what burns me about groups like PETA and HSUS... they are always passing info (sometimes even INCORRECT info) to government agencies and then before anyone knows it or has a chance to speak out, there is a sudden ban on everything! HSUS has it's good points too and I understand the "dark side" of herping, but we need to focus on that dark side, not everyone else....

Thanks, Red, for pointing that out! I signed the petition.

i signed it too,,,,and it is a raw deal !!!!

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

IT's ABOUT TIME SOMEONE NOTICED! LOL, Just kidding. Look what I said about coining a "herp awreness" category under category suggestions, Rachel. Licenses are an excellent idea, as well.

__________________
"Spread Reptile Awareness!"

"You know you have faith when you realize that thoughts are things; what you feel, you attract; and what you imagine, you become."
-Joseph Murphy, Phd