PIJAC THANKS PET OWNERS, HOBBYISTS, AND OTHERS WHO CARE

Washington, DC, April 24, 2009

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) gratefully recognizes the collaborative efforts of pet owners, aquarium societies, bird clubs, herpetological societies, hobby clubs, pet organizations, and pet industry members who took time to educate their communities and express their concerns about the proposed Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (HR 669).

Collectively our voices were heard on a bill that could potentially ban nonnative species of wildlife not specifically approved by US Fish & Wildlife Service. The pet owners and keepers across America responded in great numbers, rallying together to oppose a poorly crafted piece of legislation. It was evident from several comments made during the April 23 hearing before the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife that members of the Subcommittee received an enormous response from their constituents. PIJAC has learned that members of the Subcommittee received thousands of phone calls, emails, and letters from all corners of the US urging them to defeat the bill in its current form.

PIJAC’s Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel Marshall Meyers, who testified at the hearing, noted, “It is clear that Committee members from both sides of the aisle heard from the pet-owning public about their concerns with this bill.” PIJAC greatly appreciates the tremendous efforts of pet owners and organizations representing all types of pets. Added Meyers, “We’re extremely grateful to the thousands of groups who galvanized their members leading up to yesterday’s hearing. This following list is just a sample of the organizations that responded --- but thanks to everyone involved whether or not you are on the list. PIJAC will continue working with members of the Subcommittee, the Executive Branch, and other stakeholders to ensure the process proceeds in a transparent, inclusive, and strategic manner.” PIJAC will be posting on its website – www.pijac.org – additional information on likeminded groups and up-to-date information on HR 669 as the process evolves.

Much work is left to be done as meetings are held to discuss possible amendments to the bill.

Acadiana Bird Club
Advocates for Bird Conservation
American Cichlid Association
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association
American Federation of Aviculture
American Ferret Association
American Pheasant and Waterfowl
Association
American Pet Products Association
AquariumHobbyist.com
Ar-La-Tex Caged Bird Club
Avicultural Society of America
Bird Clubs of Virginia
BirdChannel.com
BirdHobbyist.com
BlueZooRadio
Brotegeris Society International
California Hawking Club
Central Ohio Friends of a Feather
Chicago Herpetological Society
Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
Companion Bird Club of Delaware Valley
Contra Costa Avian Society
Eclectus Group
Exotichobbyist.com
Exotic Wildlife Association
Federation of American Aquarium Societies
FishChannel.com
Florida Federation of Aviculture
Florida Keys Herpetological Society
Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association
Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society
Forum
Hernando Exotic Bird Club
Hoosier Herpetological Society
Imperial Bird Club
Insecthobbyist.com
International Association for Falconry &
Conservation of Birds of Prey
Jacksonville Herpetological Society
Kenosha Exotic Bird Club
Kingsnake.com
Maine Herpetogical Society
National Animal Interest Alliance
National Aquaculture Association
Nature’s Corner Magazine
NoHR669.com
Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies
North American Falconers Association
Northern Illinois Parrot Society
Northern Iowa Racing Pigeon Club
Ohio Society of Animal Owners
On Wings
Old Dominion Aviary
Pet Industry Distributors Association
PetHobbyist.com
Pittsburgh Marine Aquarium Society
Pondhobbyist.com
Pyrrhura Breeders Association
ReptileChannel.com
ReptileRadio.net
ReptilesTV.com
Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership
(REXANO)
S & D Exotic Bird Rescue
San Diego Bird Breeders
Shawsheen River Gerbils
SmallAnimalChannel.com
Southern Nevada Parrot Education Rescue
& Homing Society
Southwestern Michigan Aquarium Society
Stop669.org
The Organization of Professional
Aviculturists
The Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts
USARK
Wild Raptor Take Conservancy
World Wide Pet Industry Association
York Area Pet Bird Club
Zoological Association of America


There were many others that weren't listed, that did some fine work like Ball-pythons.net

:yessir:

SAWEET Job People!

Awesome job of standing together

Great to see such a long list of organisations standing behind PIJAC on this.
The only one missing on the list must be the world wide responsible animal owners association.
I figure, in part, it must be our duty to found that one?

Wow nice list. I got the chills when I seen Ferret and Fish people in there. Its good to see where not the only ones that had our back against the wall.

I'd would have imagined that the fish people would have been shaking in their boots too. I have a few close friends that design,install,maintain,etc.........for high end clients. They do this full time and there is a LOT of money involved.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kXgxu2ESAJE/SVvW9zxKNVI/AAAAAAAAAEw/5o9BTFHxH_E/S1600-R/cooltext408784768.jpg
- http://endangeredowner.blogspot.com/2009/01/hsus-turn-in-breeder-program.html

http://www.usark.org/banners/usark_square.jpg
- http://www.usark.org

http://www.bluezooradio.com/images/homepage/SpanningtheGlobe.jpg
- http://www.bluezooradio.com/

http://www.naiaonline.org/images/home_logo.jpg
- http://www.naiaonline.org/images/home_logo.jpg

http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/images/top_banner.jpg
- http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/

http://www.reptilechannel.com/images/logo.gif
- http://www.reptilechannel.com/

http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/images/logo.gif
- http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/

posted these and some more at reptilweb.no, So I thought I´d post them here also.


regards
oby

There were many others that weren't listed, that did some fine work like Ball-pythons.net

:yessir:

Thank you Larry! While recognition is nice, it's not the reason I think ANY of us got involved! Defeating this bill is the ultimate goal!

Nice to see such a large community put aside petty differences and ban together.