UPDATE: Reptile, amphibian, and different animal keepers will get some reduction from the Division of Vitality ban on specialty animal care gentle bulbs. Bulbs that have been unreasonably banned can be out there once more, offered a particular sticker is utilized to the packaging. That is nice information for animal welfare! We’ve an excerpt beneath and have included a hyperlink to the total Enforcement Coverage Assertion. Thanks to everybody who engaged on this concern!
“Pursuant to Government Order 14154, the U.S. Division of Vitality (DOE) declares that efficient instantly it is not going to take enforcement actions towards any vendor of noncompliant basic service lamps (GSL), the place such GSLs are marketed and bought completely to be used within the care of reptiles, amphibians, or different small animals. Some other sale of non-compliant GSLs is topic to the discretionary enforcement powers of DOE…
As DOE initiated enforcement actions for gross sales of noncompliant GSLs, veterinarian and zoo organizations, together with involved reptile house owners, reached out to DOE expressing concern over the gross sales ban, which they claimed prevents them from acquiring lamps used for the well being and care of their reptiles, amphibians, and different small animals. These teams indicated that they commonly use sure lamps, which meet the GSL definition however fail to fulfill the usual, for the lamps’ infra-red and heating properties, which foster the expansion and improvement of reptiles, amphibians, and different small animals. These teams have requested that DOE exempt from the GSL gross sales prohibition any lamp marketed and bought solely to be used for the care of reptiles, amphibians, or different small animals…
To be given enforcement leniency beneath this coverage, a producer or retailer should affix to all such lamps the next warning label:
This lamp is barely out there for buy beneath DOE’s restricted Enforcement Coverage for GSLs Marketed Solely for Animal Well being and Care. The purchaser is suggested to contemplate appropriate, out there substitutes.”
Learn extra at https://usark.org/24bulbs/.
ALERT: Lincoln County, NC
UPDATE 5/5/25: The listening to was tonight, and the Commissioners tabled the proposal (which means they didn’t vote, and it’ll come again amended at a later date). Nobody spoke in favor of the proposal. Those that spoke in opposition included USARK’s Phil Goss, Buddy Waskey from the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA), one reptile proprietor, a younger pet “unique” (per this proposal) proprietor and her father, and a number of other unique mammal house owners. The Commissioners acknowledged that extra analysis can be accomplished earlier than one other proposal was introduced. Thanks to everybody who opposed this very overreaching proposal that will have banned all pets besides canine and cats (and even these contradicted the dangerous definition of domesticated animals). Those that confirmed up stopped this!
earlier alert: Lincoln County, North Carolina, has proposed a ban on all animals not native to North Carolina, so this is applicable to fish, birds, mammals, herps, and invertebrates. The County is updating its animal ordinance, however the draft contains some very overreaching measures. This doesn’t appear to be intentional, however we are not looking for a poorly worded legislation to go, as future enforcement might crack down on anybody, and the legislation is also copied in different jurisdictions. Lawmakers want to listen to opposition from native residents.
Lincoln County residents should contact Metropolis Council members ASAP! This can be voted on in Could. We’ve a pattern letter beneath. Bear in mind to be civil {and professional}! In case you are a non-resident (reminiscent of one other group, veterinarian, herpetologist, educator, professor, zoologist, related skilled, and so on.), please compose a letter and embrace your title and credentials.
What’s proposed:
- A ban on all animals not native to North Carolina (as they may all be listed as “harmful wild animals”);
- The one pets allowed as “domesticated animals” are these “which are indigenous to Lincoln County and usually, typically share human habitation in Lincoln County and are usually depending on people for meals and shelter in Lincoln County, reminiscent of canine and cats.” (although canine and cats are usually not indigenous);
- A ban on ALL breeding of animals not native to North Carolina;…
Learn the proposal textual content, contact data, a pattern letter, and extra at https://usark.org/25nc/.
Fb alert at https://www.fb.com/
The Reptile Talks
The resort room block fee on the Hilton ends tonight (April 29). The particular occasion fee saves you over $110 per evening! Ebook your discounted resort room and register at https://www.
Take a look at that speaker listing! After a profitable first occasion, it’s virtually time for the second installment of The Reptile Talks. Be a part of us in Anaheim, California, Could 16-18.
This convention is an effort to promote inclusion and supply content material that’s of profit to the complete interest, not only one phase or one other. They’re doing all of this to advertise the accountable retaining of reptiles and amphibians beneath human care, with all funds left over after operational prices donated to USARK. Thanks, The Reptile Talks!
PLUS, your registration now features a FREE USARK shirt! Choose your measurement when registering.
Present speaker listing:
Philippe de Vosjoli – one of many founding fathers of recent herpetoculture
Mike Stefani – Mike’s Screens
Ed Kammer – Kammerflage Kreations
Roxana Peña Popo – Analysis Coordinator at Amphibian Basis
Ari Flagle – Reptilandia Reptile lagoon
Armen Keuylian – HerpTime
Mark Miles – Pythons by Mark Miles
Bonnie Individual – Verdant Vivariums
Cameron Lamb – Cameron Lamb Exotics
Zac Loughman – professor of biology at West Liberty College
Roy Arthur Blodgett – Wellspring Herpetoculture
Phil Goss – USARK
Schedule:
Could 16: night icebreaker
Could 17: talks from 9:00-5:00 and profit public sale at 6:00
Could 18: talks from 9:30-5:00
Register and ebook a resort room at https://www.
See the speaker listing and speak data at https://www.
Web site: https://www.
Fb: https://www.
Instagram: @thereptiletalks
ALERT: Federal Herp and Fish Laws
Extra data and textual content of the earlier invoice model can be found at https://usark.org/25us/.
Consultant Betty McCollum (MN) has reintroduced a invoice titled “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to incorporate cold-blooded species as animals, and for different functions.” McCollum launched this on the finish of the final session (died with session adjournment), and it’s again this session as HR2976. The invoice ought to be equivalent to final session’s introduction, however the textual content has not but been posted.
This invoice provides reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cephalopods as “animals” beneath the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which means the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) should develop new laws. Mainly, the USDA would now be required to license and examine services and breeders with these animals. Companies would want to adjust to the brand new USDA laws. The USDA started inspecting and licensing aviculturists (fowl breeders) in 2024 (for brand spanking new licensees). The invoice has been assigned to the Home Agriculture Committee. We’ll put up extra data when out there.
UPDATE: New Palestine, IN
UPDATE 4/16/25: The city assembly was tonight, and the Council voted no to the proposed language. The Council talked about a number of instances that they appreciated listening to issues from New Palestine residents and receiving training from native animal house owners and USARK. A number of folks spoke in opposition (none in assist), together with city residents, representatives from the Hoosier Herpetological Society (Holly and Roger Carter in individual and Jim Horton beforehand spoke to the City Council President), Fowl Fever (Indianapolis fowl retailer), USARK’s Phil Goss, and others.
The Council acknowledged that the present ordinance (which bans all animals not native to Indiana and dates again 80 years) must be amended, and that work would proceed. The Council expressed how a lot they’d discovered and made it clear that they might work to make good adjustments. Thanks to everybody who spoke tonight and all those that labored on this concern over the past two weeks after USARK posted our alert, which introduced consciousness to this proposal.
What was proposed:
- A ban on ALL breeding of reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and unique animals.
- A ban on all reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and unique animals in residences and multi-family dwellings (dictating what property house owners do with their rental properties).
- Pet restrict of 4. Particularly, unlawful to personal “Greater than 4 (4), individually or in any mixture, of reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey or unique animals.”
- A ban on any animal longer or taller than 5′.
- A ban on gross sales and transfers of all reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and unique animals.
- A ban on “harmful” reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and unique animals… Particularly, “Harmful” shall embrace, however not be restricted to, any reptile, arachnid, fowl of prey or unique animal that resulting from its measurement, venom, energy, coaching, temperament or conduct constitutes a big or critical danger of bodily hurt to human beings or different animals.
- No grandfathering provision (with the Metropolis’s rationale that every one animals not native to Indiana are labeled as “unique animals” and at present banned, in order that they shouldn’t be grandfathered).
- Ban on venomous animals.
- Ban on public shows and strolling round city together with your reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and unique animals except permitted. (A suitable proposal.)
Learn the unique alert at https://usark.org/25in/.
different ALERTS & UPDATES
FWC Considers Iguana and Tegu Rule Modifications
“USARK Florida has been in talks with management from MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) on proposed adjustments to guidelines affecting Inexperienced Iguanas and Tegus in Florida. FWC is contemplating increasing the skills of collectors to take wild Inexperienced iguanas and Tegus on the market and export.” – USARK FL
From MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife:
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) is searching for suggestions from all events on proposed rule change ideas regarding nonnative species…
Feedback concerning these matters may be submitted via the Nonnative Species Rule Making Feedback type or through e mail at NonnativeSpeciesRules@MyFWC.
These adjustments MIGHT (on the agenda however see FWC disclaimer) be heard on the Could 21-22 Fee Assembly in Ocala. Particulars at https://myfwc.com/about/
ALERT: South Carolina Venomous Ban
UPDATE 3/19/25: The listening to was right this moment, and South Carolina venomous keepers confirmed as much as oppose. 16 herpetoculturists spoke in opposition to the invoice, and lots of extra have been within the room. Nobody spoke in assist. Those that testified represented the accountable reptile-keeping group very effectively. There was no vote right this moment, and it was acknowledged that there can be a second subcommittee listening to at which a vote will happen. If handed from the subcommittee, the invoice would go earlier than the total committee. Good job, and thanks to those that testified right this moment and everybody who submitted written opposition.
South Carolina Home Invoice 3937 (H3937) was launched on Feb. 6, 2025, by Consultant Hixon. It is going to ban venomous reptiles (listing beneath). The invoice makes it unlawful to import into, possess, preserve, buy, have custody or management of, reproduce, or promote inside this State. Present house owners can get permits and should register their animals inside 90 days of the efficient date.
Get full particulars at https://usark.org/25sc/.
Mild Bulb Ban
Learn extra data with motion alert at https://usark.org/
In 2022, the Division of Vitality (“Division”) handed a regulation that banned sure incandescent gentle bulbs. Mainly, gentle bulbs are deemed inefficient if they don’t emit a specific amount of lumens per watt. This was meant to transition from much less environment friendly bulbs to extra environment friendly lighting, like LED bulbs.
Reptile lighting is a specialty merchandise and isn’t used for general-purpose lighting in houses and companies. Nonetheless, sure bulbs have been reviewed solely on what number of lumens they produced per watt. Herp keepers know that halogen and basking bulbs are usually not utilized in family lamps for basic lighting.
Learn the remainder and take motion at https://usark.org/24doe/.
ALERT: Connecticut Animal Breeder Laws
UPDATE 2/21: HB5902 didn’t be “raised” earlier than the deadline, which was right this moment. The invoice is lifeless for this session. Thanks on your assist that made USARK’s work on this invoice potential!
Connecticut Home Invoice 5902 would ban the breeding of animals except the individual or firm is licensed by the Connecticut Division of Agriculture. The invoice additionally requires the Division of Agriculture to create pointers for the breeding of animals, develop a breeder registry, acquire registration charges, and carry out annual inspections of such breeders.
Alert at https://usark.org/25ct/.
ALERT: Connecticut Unique Animal Ban
UPDATE 2/21: HB5905 didn’t be “raised” earlier than the deadline, which was right this moment. The invoice is lifeless for this session. Thanks on your assist that made USARK’s work on this invoice potential!
Connecticut Home Invoice 5905 would ban the commerce of unique animals.
Alert at https://usark.org/25ct1/.
ALERT: ESA Modernization Invoice
HR102 was launched by Consultant Andy Biggs (Arizona). This invoice amends the Endangered Species Act to forestall a species that isn’t native to the USA from being listed as an endangered or threatened species.
Alert at https://usark.org/25esa/.
ALERT: Diamondback Terrapin ESA Itemizing
Snippet: On September 19, 2024, the Middle for Organic Range (CBD) petitioned the Nationwide Marine Fisheries Service (informally referred to as NOAA Fisheries and an company inside the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA) to listing the Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) as endangered beneath the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)…
Learn the total alert at https://usark.org/24esa3/.
ARTICLE: “Mild bulb ban threatens reptile, amphibian welfare” by the Veterinary Infomation Community
snippet: “The ban ought to be a priority of animal caretakers for a lot of species,” mentioned Latney, a senior veterinarian on the Schwarzman Animal Medical Middle who is also chair of the Affiliation for Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). “That is significantly true for captive reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammal species which have restricted publicity to pure, unfiltered daylight.”
Learn the total article at https://information.vin.com/
SPRING CLEANING SHIRT SALE!
Three kinds can be found for less than $15-$17.50 shipped plus FREE swag!
Click on the picture or this hyperlink to BUY NOW! https://usark.org/store/
This screen-printed cotton/polyester mix shirt is extraordinarily mushy and wrinkle-resistant.
Adeline Robinson created the art work at https://www.
Discover A Vet
Want a superb herp veterinarian? The Affiliation of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) will help. ARAV gives a free Discover-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/
