USArk Updates
08/13/09...HSUS is the Enemy! The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is the Enemy of the Reptile Nation! They prey on the uneducated. They use their money to gain favor in Washington, DC. They pluck at the heartstrings of the animal loving American public. Their message is misleading. They count on their name creating confusion and implying that they have something to do with local Humane Societies. They do not take care of puppies and kittens. They have nothing to do with your local Humane Society. They are the most powerful Animal Rights (AR) group on the planet. Their agenda is to end ALL animal ownership and use. They oppose hunting, fishing, livestock farming, bio-medical research and pets... including traditional pets. They raise money by targeting students and senior citizens with photographs of abused animals and implying that the money they raise goes to the care of these animals.
HSUS DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS! 90% of the funds they raise go toward salaries, administration and lobbying for the AR agenda of ending ALL animal ownership and use.
HSUS is extremely well funded and is dedicated to destroying the Reptile Nation. They hope to use the current interest in invasive species and the Burmese Python as a tool to destroy our community. They do not operate using facts or science. They are spreading misinformation, wild exaggerations and emotionally charged rhetoric in an effort to use current legislative proposals to end the trade in reptiles. Do not let them succeed. Help USARK to expose them for what they are... EXTREMISTS!
HSUS is the Mortal Enemy of the Reptile Nation!
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08/11/09...UPDATE: USARK/ Senator Nelson S373 Meeting Many of you know that USARK attended a meeting at Senator Bill Nelson's office in West Palm Beach last Friday to discuss S373 "The Python Ban". The USARK delegation was led by Andrew Wyatt and consisted of Captain Ernie Jillson, Miami-Dade Fire & Rescue (MDFR) Venom Response Unit (Venom One), Captain Chuck Siefert, MDFR Venom One, Shawn Heflick and Greg Graziani. Wyatt said "The meeting went about as good as we could have hoped for. They heard our message and it was well received."
The USARK message was one of respect and cooperation for Senator Nelson's position on the protection of the Everglades. A willingness by Senator Nelson's office to work with USARK and Protect the Reptile Community was given in return. USARK will work with Senator Nelson's office during the August recess to craft language that will serve the Senators goals, as well as protect the trade in ALL pythons. We would like to thank Senator Nelson and his Chief of Staff for holding this meeting in good faith with USARK's Florida herpers.
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08/05/09...Senator Nelson- S373 Update USARK has secured a meeting with Senator Bill Nelson's office for Friday August 7, 2009 in West Palm Beach. We will be asking Senator Nelson to understand that S373, the Python Ban, will hurt thousands of his constituents and create significant problems for the entire United States if passed as written.
If passed as written S373 will BAN the IMPORT, EXPORT and INTERSTATE COMMERCE of ALL Pythons. This is not a Florida issue. It is a federal bill in the US Senate. This is about the BAN of ALL pythons nationwide... from ball pythons on up. We believe that this bill will move in September following the August recess. The only question is what Senator Nelson might do to amend the bill prior to that time. We are optimistic that he will listen to our well thought out position. You can be sure that USARK will fight tooth and nail to defend the ENTIRE python community.
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07/29/09...HR2811 Passes Full Committee As promised by Committee Staff, Rep. Rooney's Staff and Rep. Meek's Staff, HR2811 was amended to limit the scope of the bill to only two snakes. Staff renewed their commitment to work with USARK over the August recess to hammer out language for an amendment prior to a vote on the House Floor allowing the captive bred trade of the affected snakes to continue. USARK is dedicated to making sure all the Burm and Afrock breeders will be able to continue to operate their businesses. We will work hard to preserve your place as a legal business concern within the Reptile Nation Family.
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07/29/09...UPDATE: HR2811 Amendment House Judiciary Committee Staff and bill Sponsors agrees with USARK position to limit the scope of HR2811 with a proposal for an amendment. All but two pythons will be completely exempted from the bill. The exception will be the IMPORT of the Burmese Python and the African Rock Python. Further, Committee staff has committed to work with USARK over the August legislative break to craft language to allow the commercial trade in captive bred Burmese Pythons and African Rock Pythons to continue. This is a huge victory for USARK and the Reptile Nation!
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