After thinking for a while on this, and talking to a few people (just got off the phone with BT) I am trying to organize something to aid our hobby and attempt to steer some things in the right direction. I do realize I am only one small person in this hobby, and what I do can only go so far without help. As we know, legality issues and bans have been creeping up on us due to irrational fear of our animals, and ignorance.

I am attempting to get an online database/community built with information regarding the HSUS, and PETA, while keeping things legal, fair, and down to the point regarding our hobby. Basically keep our hobby as respectable in appearance as possible, while addressing our issues. A long with this, it will have a built in database for all 50 states pertaining to regulations in their area, proposals, bans, and permit systems to make things easier for keepers, small or large, to know their legalities and rights...so we can aid in stopping negligent remarks and views on our hobby due to legality issues, and "dangerous" stuations. Something all the reptile community can pitch in to support.
As we all know, PIJAC is a supporter and have informed us of some of the most recent proposals regarding regulations, such as the nationwide reptile proposal. They can only do so much, with so much support, so I would like to help raise some donations for them, to aid our hobby. It is sad to say, but the highest "payer/bidder" is going to get the most support and the quickest attention, so it is a serious situation. I am in the plans, along with the website, to make an educational childrens coloring book on reptiles and amphibians, with small simple facts that children can understand and learn. In doing this, all the money received goes to PIJAC to aid us, keeps the reptile community informed more effectively on proposals and regulations, and it will hopefully dim down the fear of reptiles and amphibians through education. As we all know, fear is something learned and taught, and the children of today are the future of our hobby tomorrow. The more they learn, and see, the better the hobby will become. As well as that, I'm sure a lot of us have children...and it would be cool for them to learn about our hobby and the animals we keep, while they play/color :)

This will not be an overnight thing, and any help that anyone can pitch in will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks! And thanks BT for letting me post this!
-Andrew

I think it's a great idea Andrew...Tell us how we can help...

I could use any information, or resources possible to go about this, such as published articles and facts on the various groups trying to bring us down, that show their true side, and intentions. As well as that, building the coloring book up won't be an easy task, and I will need pictures for reference, or use to make the coloring book possible. Anyone who's donated picture is used for the coloring book will receive an email containing a .JPG file of the coloring book pages for their kids, etc. :) Basically something they have to print up for their kids to color on/play with.

A long that note, I would be very appreciative of any information regarding various ways of how to go about everything, get everything organized, help in any way would all do :)

I want this to be an entire hobby community project, rather than my own. A site where the hobby and its members can voice their opinions in a respectable manner, and be heard. :) Thanks!

I think it sounds like a great idea! Can't help on the how to's, but let me know if their is anything else you need.

I agree it would be a valuable resource. But I also think that in regard to some of those in the hobby that help to give us a bad name (bottomfeeders), it is not so much a question of them being uneducated to what the 'should' do, so much as they don't really care as long as they can make money. For my part, I would most like to see the development of a regulatory body for the hobby. As it is, there is really no consequence to being scum, thus the scum perpetuates...... As long as the unethical behavior persists, I can't fault some of the complaints against us. I think the hardest part for the hobby may be trying to gain enough support for a 'united front', eh? Regardless. If I can help, I will.

~Kat

I agree it would be a valuable resource. But I also think that in regard to some of those in the hobby that help to give us a bad name (bottomfeeders), it is not so much a question of them being uneducated to what the 'should' do, so much as they don't really care as long as they can make money. For my part, I would most like to see the development of a regulatory body for the hobby. As it is, there is really no consequence to being scum, thus the scum perpetuates...... As long as the unethical behavior persists, I can't fault some of the complaints against us. I think the hardest part for the hobby may be trying to gain enough support for a 'united front', eh? Regardless. If I can help, I will.

~Kat
I can see where you are coming from Kat, and I do appreciate your willingness to help :). This will be difficult to gain support from the various individuals in the hobby, but if it can be pulled off, and develop into a hopeful and productive body of information, it will be worthwhile. I believe this could evolve into the possible development of a regulatory body, but it needs to be taken one step at a time :) If we get too far ahead of the game, we could overwhelm ourselves and set ourselves up for failure. It is already an overwhelming amount of work to set this up as is, but I would like to see more keepers politically involved in the hobby, which I think would go a long way, beneficially, for us.

If anyone could help pitch in any information with documentation on the regulations in their area, or state regarding both exotic and native species...venomous, large animals exceeding a certain length, certain specie restrictions, permit systems, etc...it would go a long way in getting the database set up :)

I am trying to find some resources on groups such as PETA, the HSUS, and others that would help us build a factual database on them to both avoid lawsuit, and keep hobbyists informed on the truth behind what they are doing.

i think it would be a good idea
see the lady next door to my mom is a peta person and cant stand the fact i have snake because the eat rats and animals are to be free and she thinks its wrong to an animal caged how she found out i have reptiles i dont know

Here's a good start...if you haven't already stumbled upon this one:

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/

....and I'll be more than happy to contribute to the coloring book thing. Could do some nice drawings for the kiddies to color.

I think this is an excellent idea, and kudos to you for trying to make a positive difference in the hobby. I can't be much help financially but I can scour the internet for anything we can use for us and against them. I hope this comes together.

Quig

Thanks all! Much appreciated!

I think this is an excellent idea, and kudos to you for trying to make a positive difference in the hobby. I can't be much help financially but I can scour the internet for anything we can use for us and against them. I hope this comes together.

Quig

No worries on financial donations man. I'd rather not have people just donate money. Thats just an easy solution. I'd like to get the community involved with it.

This is one of my bookmarks....

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_state.php?s=ca

Cheers,
Kat

Thanks Kat!