SC Association of Reptile Keepers

SC Association of Reptile & Exotic Animal Keepers

History of the Organization

The history of SCARK is the story of young children growing up with a fascination and love of reptiles. We are normal people, living normal lives, who have had a love and passion for these amazing creatures since childhood. Many of us started out catching snakes, turtles and lizards around our neighborhood ponds and streams. We read everything we could so that we could learn to properly house and care for our newfound charges.

As we grew into adulthood our passions and desire to learn everything we could about these animals grew as well. Some of us branched off into exotics and captive breeding projects. We became aware of conservation issues and sought to educate any that would listen to the plight of these magnificent but misunderstood animals. Our knowledge and husbandry methods grew proportionately in scope and sophistication. We came to realize that with issues of rapid habitat destruction being largely ignored, many of these animals might not survive outside captive breeding projects.

In the spring of 2004, animal rights activists saw an opportunity to exploit tragic circumstances involving a cobra envenomation in Laurens County, SC to push forward their agenda to get animals out of private hands. Through a local politician's sponsorship Adam Taylor, a bill written and endorsed by the Animal Protection Institute (API) a proposed bill banning most all reptiles and many other exotic animals as well was sent to our state legislature for consideration/adoption.,. Bill 4403 was put forward as a solution to a public safety crisis that was nonexistant. Using fear and cultural bias against many of these animals the AR movement attempted to make inroads into our state. Once they are established what will they want to ban next… livestock farming, hunting, fishing, and traditional household pets? SCDNR was immediately notified and through much discussion it was felt that the bill would not recieve their support due to manpower and budget constraints supported by common sense. A get the word out campaign was started and this information was made public to concerned groups/individuals statewide. Once the word was out the phone was nonstop wringing and my email incoming box overflowing with animal lovers and concerned people offering asking for help and suggestions. I contacted Rep Adam Taylor immediately. Members of our thinktank also contacted him and once apprised of who he had been counseled by he thoughtfully and wisely withdrew support from the bill he was talked into sponsoring. Score one for our side right? The very next year the bill (prefiled) was sponsored by State Representative Thomas as Bill 959. Once again the wheels of this organization were turning enlisting the same professionals and others to once again send this nonsense bill to the scrapheap. But our foes are undeterred and without conscience. It will resurface again and again until they get their way or get the message that we will not go quietly into the night. They must be met with the same ferocity that they themselves exhibit until their final defeat. At the same time the bill was being introduced by Senator Garwood in North Carolina and suddenly we were fighting a war on two fronts. I was called by the top reptile people in North Carolina asking me to talk at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh in March 2005. I graciously accepted the invitation to speak and was advised that a representative of the NC state leislature would be present for my presentation. That evening after the presentation I addressed a group of concerned individuals (including Andrew Wyatt and Dean Ripa) with what would become the nucleus of the North Carolina Association of Reptile Keepers and became an Advisory Consultant to what is now known as NCARK..

South Carolina Association of Reptile & Exotic Animal Keepers

Mission:

The South Carolina Association of Reptile Keepers (SCARK) promotes private ownership of reptiles, the establishment of responsible/professional statewide husbandry standards, programs/platform for educating the public, and conservation through captive breeding projects designated to have little or no impact on wild populations. We advocate a code of ethics, high standards for care, and strict safety protocols. We endorse training and mentoring to elevate keeper skills. Providing resources for locating veterinarians, rescue/rehabilitation centers, and antivenin is our social responsibility. We sponsor community outreach programs to break down barriers of misunderstanding and educate the public as well as the legislature about how these animals can enrich the quality of life in this state. Rapid habitat destruction threatens many reptiles here in SC and around the world. We can show how conservation through captive breeding is part of the solution to this problem. Our overall strategy is to aid South Carolina in elevating the level of responsibility and sophistication at which our keepers are working, while educating the public to the facts surrounding these misrepresented animals.

Position Statement:

There are some agencies/institutions/individuals that see themselves as the only ones qualified to keep many of the reptiles that professional members of SCARK work with routinely. They argue that these animals are inherently dangerous, difficult to maintain, and pose a threat to the general public. In reality the husbandry requirements for reptiles are much less demanding than those for dogs, cattle or horses. Reptiles also have a much better track record as far as public safety. Many more people get hurt or killed by dogs in the State of SC every year than all the captive reptiles combined in the history of the state. Statistics have proven over and over again that whitetail deer, cattle and horses are by far the most dangerous . There have been no confirmed deaths on record by someone elses pet reptile in South Carolina. Cattle and horses have killed dozens of people in South Carolina and no one is trying to ban them from private ownership. Most reptiles are easy to care for and are no significant public safety risk, therefore, a responsible keeper should be able to keep and breed the animals he/she has come to know and love. We will challenge any attempt by bureaucrats and/ or academic elites to monopolize work with reptiles by stating that the citizens of SC are unqualified to work with these animals. The level of expertise of SCARK members equals or surpasses that of agencies state or private who oppose responsible reptile ownership. We have a larger more diverse pool of talent and experience to draw from.

There are others that are ideologically opposed to the ownership of any animals. They think that everyone should be a vegetarian as a matter of law. They believe it is wrong to farm livestock for food. They are against hunting, fishing and trapping. They want all use of animals and animal products to be made illegal. They are even against people keeping animals as pets. These ideologues are well organized and funded at a national level. They have made inroads with the legislatures of many states. Their template for political action begins with an animal related tragedy. They will exploit the visceral emotion and fear generated by media coverage to manipulate affected legislators into sponsoring a bill that was written by the Animal Protection Institute (API) and modified by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). SC Bill 959 (formerly 4403) is a variation on this bill. This legislation is a seriously flawed blanket ban on many animals. These activists know that they can’t stop people from farming livestock, hunting, fishing, or keeping traditional pets, so they go after animals that aren’t so widely accepted within our culture. They shy away from the facts and capitalize on longstanding stereotypes, cultural bias and fear. They don’t believe private individuals should have the right to work with any animals and they are not above using extreme measures to frighten people into accepting their positions. These extremists advocate euthanasia of perfectly healthy animals as long as it means keeping them out of private hands.

We believe that it is part of our constitutional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to keep and breed reptiles. It is our life’s passion, and for some, our livelihood. It is a huge responsibility to keep or breed an animal in captivity. A responsibility we are committed to. Our Code of Ethics guides all of our decisions and actions. We have created standards for the caging, husbandry and security of our animals that equal or surpass the standards of most zoos. We enforce strict safety protocols to protect the health of our keepers and the public. We maintain ready access to the finest emergency medical care, vets, rehabilitators and private sources of antivenin. Because we are so committed to the right to keep these animals, we feel it is our obligation to police ourselves. Individuals involved in unsound practices, abuse, or any danger to the public will quickly be reported to the proper authorities. There are laws on the books to stop anyone that can be shown to be creating a dangerous or abusive situation. With rights come responsibilities. We take our responsibilities seriously.

SCARK represents a league of professionals doctors, scientists, professors, teachers, biologists, conservationists, public officials, herpetologists, herpetoculturists, and other animal rehabbers/caretakers).We have acted in the capacity as Advisory Consultants that has a long and proud record of working with the state legislature for fair and reasonable animal legislation in South th Carolina. We have worked diligently with the state and their agents to improve and enhance a positive experience with these magnificent animals. We are not inflexible, but we will not be intimidated by inflammatory rhetoric. So-called “expert” opinion or “potential dangers” that cannot be supported by facts in evidence will be exposed as propaganda. We support science by a preponderance of the evidence. Our Code of Ethics, Husbandry Standards and Safety Protocols will provide a powerful model and work as an invaluable tool to insure responsible private ownership throughout SC. We can provide training and mentoring programs, as well as care sheets and other valuable resources across the state. We have worked side by side with SCDNR and the local SPCA’s in an Advisory capacity and assisted them in many successful campaigns designed to put both domestic and exotic pet ownership in their proper perspectives. A positive working relationship with the state is integral to the future of private ownership in SC.

Community outreach continues be an ongoing dynamic effort. Together with many other conservation and education oriented groups within SC we work to dispel common myths surrounding these animals. Educating people to the facts and encouraging positive interaction with these fascinating creatures will reveal their important role in the world and enrich our lives in the process. Rapid habitat destruction threatens these animals in SC and worldwide. Some animals may not survive outside of captive breeding projects. We are indeed fortunate that state agencies in SC have extended their hands in friendship and partnership with many of this organizations professionals. SCDNR is at the forefront in recognizing that you can’t effectively protect these animals in the wild without protecting their natural habitat. State zoos, often are burdened by cumbersome bureaucracies, conflicts of interest, limited budgets, and cannot possibly work with all of the species at risk. That is why it does not make sense to keep the unlimited resources marshaled by numerous private interests from being directly involved in the conservation of these animals.

Our vision of the future is one in which SCARK continues the positive working relationship with state officials while keeping a watchful eye on national endeavors to by Eco-terrorists to force their skewed agendas down the throats of the unprepared. The state will not be able to accomplish this task on its own. The misinformed citizens of SC will never authorize the funds necessary to effectively and fairly regulate, what is in reality, a matter of personal responsibility. The professional members of SCARK encourage personal responsibility through education and mentoring. SCARK has the tools and resources necessary to teach and motivate people to properly care for and take responsibility for these animals.

SCARK has put together a team of top experts. We have Biologists, Educators, Herpetologists, Herptoculturists, Naturalists, Veterinarians, Zoo Keepers and Hobbyists who contribute their knowledge, experience, and time to ensure that the reptiles we love are well taken care of, safely secured, and continue to remain in private hands. We have successfully organized and activated reptile professionals and enthusiasts from every corner of the state. We represent a large group of voting citizens that are very concerned about our constitutional rights. We are devoted to our animals and have much to contribute to our fellow citizens, state agencies, and the science of reptile husbandry. We believe the conservation of these tragically misunderstood creatures is paramount. There is no public safety problem with captive reptiles in the State of SC. There is a public perception problem. Antiquated stereotypes must be exposed for what they are… myth. Ideologues cannot be allowed to perpetuate these myths unchallenged. Public perception will be changed through education. The facts support the truth; there has never been a public safety problem with reptiles in this state. With SCARK’s support of responsible private ownership, there never will be.

Now is the time to join SCARK! Don't wait until it's too late!

If you are concerned about your rights to keep reptiles and or exotic animals being placed in jeopardy by extremest groups and misguided politicians you are urged to join SCARK. We will keep you informed of the latest groundbreaking legislative proposals. We will find out who, what, when, where, and together develop a battleplan to overcome the fear and misgivings generated by the misrepresentations of these groups. We will represent the best interests of both the keeper and the kept.. We will defend your rights!

To this end we need the help of likeminded individuals to champion our message of education and advocacy throughout South Carolina. With your support the state legislature will have no choice but to listen to the will of its citizens. The animal rights movement would like to force their extremist agenda on the citizens of South Carolina. They rely on fear and prejudice to make their case. With your help we will expose them for the zealots they are. Join us in our fight against this all out assualt on our rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness in our chosen careers/hobbies..

There are two membership levels:

Individual Membership ($35) receive quarterly newsletter receive SCARK t-shirt Contributing Membership ($100) receive quarterly newsletter receive SCARK t-shirt position on policy advisory panel To join us, please fill out our membership application and send appropriate membership dues. We will send you one of our beautiful SCARK T-shirts.

Note: You do not have to be a South Carolina resident to join SCARK. We helped our brothers in North Carolina organize NCARK and successfully fight against the same legislative proposal recently. We will gladly accept support from all who believe in our mission.

You can download an application from the following link:

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/showfilepage/5754

SCARK's website address is www.SCArk.org and should be functional soon. For questions please contact Roark Ferguson at 843-207-7200.

Thanks for your support!

Roark Ferguson

Director Roark's Reptile Safari

President SHHS's South Carolina Chapter

President SCARK

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