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Join the Reptile Nation
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by MoccasinMan on September 7, 2008
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Why USARK?… Why Now?
There has been a crisis of apathy in the Reptile Industry and Community going on for some time. The Animal Rights Movement, led by the Humane Society of the United States, Born Free USA/ Animal Protection Institute and The Defenders of Wildlife have collectively impacted our industry and community at the local, state and federal level and critically curtailed our ability to own, trade in, and advance education in reptiles and amphibians. The AR movement has pooled their vast financial resources and powerful grass roots support to get reptiles and amphibians out of public school classes nationwide based on misleading studies regarding salmonella. They have lobbied municipal, county and state governments for 10 years using the politics of fear to characterize reptiles as dangerous and seriously restrict their ownership and trade. Now there is a serious effort to end the import/export and interstate transport of boa, python and eunectes. Consider this; because of their masterful use of the 1-2 punch of grass roots politics they have characterized these issues to legislators and government agencies in the way that they want these issues to be seen, with very little real evidence to support their positions. In the absence of the Reptile Community’s ability to give perspective from our point of view, in that vacuum the AR movement has been building on one successful campaign after another while we sit and watch our hobby and business disappear. At this rate, if the Reptile Community does not stand up for itself, in 5 more years the business and hobby will lay in ruins.
USARK is offering a vehicle to oppose this destructive trend in our industry. It is time for us all to put aside our differences and work together to secure our collective future. We have already brought together many of the best minds and biggest players in our industry, but we need everybody’s help. The underlying infrastructure is now in place. We have incorporated as a non-profit organization and are filing for 501c6 tax exempt status. We have elected officers and a Board of Directors. Our website www.usark.org offers dynamic tools that have never been employed in defense of our industry in the past. We are bringing in the best attorneys, lobbyists and scientists. Our Database/Communications function will allow us to build a massive grassroots support system in order to quickly and efficiently disseminate information and call for political action when needed. We will:
1. Articulate our positions through our attorneys and lobbyists, supported by good solid science, to legislators and government agencies.
2. Reinforce these positions with a groundswell of grassroots support by activating our base.
This is an equation that has proven to be successful over and over again… This is the ‘1-2 Punch of Grassroots Politics’. It is time for us all to start taking responsibility for ourselves.
We will focus on the most pressing issues first:
1. Invasive Species
2. Public Safety- Big 5, Hots & Crocodilians
3. Public Health- disease (salmonella, etc.)
4. Import/Export CITES
5. Interstate Transport/ Shipping
We are asking all of the community and industry to ‘Join the Reptile Nation’! There is ‘Strength in Numbers’ and together we will ‘Protect Our Right to Own and Trade in Reptiles & Amphibians’. Not everyone is involved at the same level in our industry, so we have created a tiered membership system.
1. Individual- $30
2. Small Business- $250
3. Founders Club- $1000+
Some of the leaders of our industry have pledged or donated $3000+. They understand the seriousness of the threats that face us and want to do as much as possible to help secure our future. We simply ask that you donate at a level that is comfortable and appropriate for your level of investment and involvement in the industry. Individual and Small Business Memberships can be done on the website Membership page. If you wish to join above the Small Business level, call or email Andrew Wyatt. Not everyone can contribute at the same level, but everyone can contribute.
Thank you for your support,
Andrew Wyatt
President
United States Association of Reptile Keepers
PO Box 279
Grandy, NC 27939
252-207-1041
president@usark.org
www.usark.org
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RE: Join the Reptile Nation
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by theemojohnm on September 7, 2008
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Andrew,
First off let me thank you with all of my heart that USARK exists. I am a VERY young keeper compared to most here, with ambitions of furthering herpetological studies one day, and EVEN I have been waiting for an organization such as this to finally "make a stand".
I honestly cannot think of a worse scenario than some biased politician making my snakes "illegal"...
Does the "donation" or "join" perhaps, work on the website? I notice a few things that seem unfinished.
Is the account setup? Paypal correct?
I should have around $300 by the end of this month, of mostly all profit. I have no problems donating this, as long as it goes toward a strong and educated fight, as I'm sure it will.
Thank you again!
Take Care.
~John.
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RE: Join the Reptile Nation
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by MoccasinMan on September 8, 2008
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Thanks... the site is not complete. more work is needed on the legislative page, merchandising and some other areas. The membership page is fully functional. it is simple and straight forward. it did not require the complex underlying infrastructure of a page like the legislative page or our database.
Andrew
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RE: Join the Reptile Nation
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 8, 2008
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Keep up the good work! This is serious stuff and if folks don't believe it, I can personally vouch that several school districts have canceled programs with us because "they were told that their students are at risk of salmonella poisoning" based on info they are getting from AR groups. It's real, it's here, and if we don't get off of our lazy, apathetic rear ends, there will come a time when keeping an anolis lizard will be a felony. This effects the hobbyists, serious breeders, and even those in the zoo/nature center/zoo industry like me.
Email me off line - I have a question: I need a W-9 form from you for our finance department so that I can get a check cut.
Keep up the good work. Rob
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RE: Join the Reptile Nation
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by LadyBloodRose on September 8, 2008
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definately keep up tthe good work i am hoping i cna get my membership fee into yall soon, its about time someone stood up that can an is willing to do something!
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RE: Join the Reptile Nation
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by tj on September 9, 2008
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Andrew, thanks for the hard work. We need to let people know that donations are great, but their voices need to be heard as well. You can't do this alone, and every MATURE and PROFESSIONAL letter helps, even if it is for a state you don't live in.
While some states, like NY, have had no chance at a decent permit system, there are many others that can
survive a legislation attack, IF there are enough motivated people to help the cause.
Keep up the good work. Some of us don't take it for granted and sit back while you bust your ass.
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