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Reptile Bans/ Political Action
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by MoccasinMan on April 30, 2006
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Exotic Reptile Bans… Everyone on this site is against them… Yes! Well it is time to prove it. One of the greatest dangers to this hobby and/ or business is apathy. Every time mention of a ban or proposed ban comes up it receives much lip service, but little else. I see many posts regarding government intrusion, rights trampled, ignorance, negative stereotypes, lack of education, AR propaganda, ˝ truths, outright lies… the list goes on. These are all valid points, but just making a post is simply an academic exercise. What I don’t see are people willing to stand up for their rights… willing to do more than just make a post on a website. Is anyone here actually committed to their beliefs enough to take action? Are you willing to do what it takes to protect your rights? I propose to show you how your contributions can have an enormous impact on the current trend towards government bans… if you are willing to step up to the plate and do your part we can turn the tide in our favor.
In NC we have created a group dedicated to protecting the right to responsible private ownership of exotic reptiles. It is called the NC Association of Reptile Keepers or NCARK and this is what we have done so far:
1. We have incorporated and filed for non-profit status.
2. We have built a dynamic interactive web site that will be unveiled later this week at www.NCARK.org .
3. We have assembled a panel of top herp experts from around the state and country to advise us.
4. We have a petition to be signed by all that want to maintain their rights at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NCExoticBan/
5. We are working closely with NC Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation to address issues of private ownership of exotic reptiles. (NCPARC is comprised of state agencies, university scientists and private owners)
6. We have made inroads with and are actively lobbying the General Assembly to enact legislation that will keep the animals we love in private hands.
7. We are recruiting members not only from NC but all states to help protect our rights and lend their financial support. Money and votes talk, and what happens in NC will have far reaching impact on legislation in other states.
8. We are creating a model for other states to follow in the fight to secure reasonable legislation.
I challenge everyone on this site to JOIN US & HELP PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS!! If you are not from NC, after you join us, create sister groups in your own state and we will join you. Political fights cost money. If we pool our money, ideas and resources we can endeavor to persevere in this fight! The $35 for an individual membership or $100 for a corporate membership is a drop in the bucket when faced with losing your right to work with the animals you love. We are sending t-shirts to all paid members. Until the website is opened you can join by Paypal to membership@ncark.org followed by an email to me at Andrew@ncark.org .
Do your part. Sign the petition. Then JOIN US & HELP PROTECT YOU RIGHTS! We will be at the Carolina Reptile & Exotic Animal Show next weekend. There will me a membership banquet following. Dean Ripa will be one of our honored guests. I think Roark Ferguson will be there as well.
Andrew Wyatt
President NCARK
Andrew@ncark.org
252-207-1041
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RE: Reptile Bans/ Political Action
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by Rob_Carmichael on May 1, 2006
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It sounds like you have put some thought into this and you certainly are covering all of the necessary bases to create a strong "political" allignment to protect individual's rights to keep herps; particularly venomous species. I went to your website but its under construction and I think that in order for you to get the support you need, you need to answer a few important questions:
1) Mission Statement: w/out one, no one will really know what your true intentions or scope are.
2) It's obvious you want to allow the legal keeping of venomous herps among private individuals but I would have some serious problems with that unless you made it clear as to what your guidelines are: a) age requirements, b) permit system?, require keepers to have a license that they have trained with a "master" keeper for a certain amount of hours, etc c) parameters for safe keeping of venomous herps, d) your position on whether its the private individual's responsibility or the hospital's responsibility to carry antivenin, e) should people who live in apartment buildings be allowed to keep venomous herps?, f) restrictions? g) acceptable caging methods and first aid procedures, etc. etc.... there are many questions that would need to be answered for many folks to commit to this and I am one of them. I for one am NOT in favor for private individuals to keep venomous herps UNLESS they meet many specific requirements....what is your organization's position on that? Don't get me wrong, I think you should be commended for taking the bull by the horn and doing it the right away because you are absolutely right, most hobbyists suffer from a serious case of apathy when it comes to protecting our rights. I am just giving you some suggestions for things you might want to include on your website once its up and running (a FAQ section perhaps). Good luck, Rob
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RE: Reptile Bans/ Political Action
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by MoccasinMan on May 1, 2006
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Rob,
I appreciate your input. Our website will be open by the end of the week and will answer all your questions. All of the points you make have been addressed.
Andrew
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RE: Reptile Bans/ Political Action
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by Cro on May 1, 2006
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I have had a chance to look at the NCARK website in progress.
As Andrew stated, it will address the concerns that Rob has about private reptile keeping.
Andrew and the others involved have worked very hard in bringing together a group that can help pass good reptile Legislation in the State of North Carolina. They have done their homework. They have addressed the potential problems and questions about how to make this work. They have gotten the help and support from experts from all over the country.
If they are able to do this, then there is a very good chance you can use the same ideas to help protect your rights when the animal rights extremists attempt to pass restrictive reptile Legislation in your state.
Everyone here who cares about private ownership of reptiles, be they venomous or non-venomous, should become members of the NCARK and support their cause. Sign their petition. There is strength in numbers, and there are thousands of visitors to this site who can add their signatures in support.
Visit the website when it opens later this week. Become a supporting member. I intend to support them with a donation. Set up the same in your own states, as Andrew suggested, as the NCARK has produced a great model for others to follow.
Hopefully, after North Carolina passes reasonable reptile laws, the reptile keepers here in Georgia can follow the NCARK example and change the very poor and restrictive laws we have in this state.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Reptile Bans/ Political Action
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by MoccasinMan on May 1, 2006
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Dean didn't know how to post here so he asked me to post this for him regarding the NCARK Banquet after the Raleigh Show on Saturday:
"EVERYBODY interested in keeping Hots in this state needs to attend this meeting. It may be your last chance to save your hobby."
Dean Ripa
Cape Fear Serpentarium
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RE: Reptile Bans/ Political Action
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by SimplySnakes on May 1, 2006
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Andrew,
I just read and signed the petition online. Please count on my support.
Sincerely,
Paul R. Moody II
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