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ETHS is dedicated to the education of its members and the general public about the natural history, ecology, husbandry, conservation, proper care and treatment of reptiles and amphibians.

The ETHS is a nonprofit corporation operating under charter in the state of Texas subject to the rules and regulations of IRS 501(c)(3).

contact us ethsnews@hotmail.com

  

YouTube Videos
Opposing HR 669

See what others are saying about this bill.

Pets in Peril
by Brian Barczyk

 

Do It! 
by Gary Orner

 

Love Your Reptiles Song
by SLE335

HR 669: The End of Exotic Pet Ownership
by Dragpn Sanctuary Reptile Rescue


Join us in opposing HR 669
 No HR 669
WHAT IS HR 669?
HR 669 stands for House Resolution 669 and is titled "The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act". It is a bill currently before Congress that if passed will change the way that the US Government classifies animal species that are not native to the United States. HR 669 will make it illegal to breed, sell and transport many animals that are very common in the pet trade.
 
According to the Defenders of Wildlife "For far too long the pet, aquarium and other industries have imported live animals to the United States without regard to their harm..." Defenders, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are part of a coalition pushing hard for passage of this bill without amendments.
 
A HEARING has been scheduled for April 23 and the pet industry needs to be heard loud and clear prior to the hearing! The anti-trade elements are hard at work to stop activities involving non-native species.
 
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Anyone with pet fish, birds, reptiles, or small mammals will be affected by this bill.  Any company selling product or services for pet fish, birds, reptiles or small mammals will be affected by this bill.  Would you be impacted by "The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act"?
  • Virtually all fish in an aquarium are not native to the United States
  • Most pet birds are species not native to the US
  • Most reptiles kept as pets are not native to the US
  • Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and ferrets are not native to the US
This bill would ban nonnative species not specifically approved by US Fish & Wildlife Service.  AND, it does NOT only ban their importation, it also bans sales, transportation and breeding of these animals
  • If you own a bird or reptile, and your specialized veterinarian is located across the state line from your home, you would be prohibited from taking your pet to its veterinarian
  • If you own two fish and they have babies, you would be in violation of this law and your pets could be confiscated and destroyed
  • Don't plan on moving to another state with your pet.  Crossing state lines with your hamster, fish, bird, snake or other nonnative animal will be illegal
ANY animal except dogs, cats and goldfish will need to go through a costly, extensive study to prove they will not cause harm AND be approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service before they can be pets.  The proposed congressional ban on "nonnative species" will affect hundreds of millions of animals currently kept as pets.  
 
The ETHS supports managing invasive species, but this bill is not the answer.  Simply enhancing and improving existing laws and regulations would meet the goal of preventing/minimizing the introduction of potentially invasive species.
 
Under HR669, ANY animal not native to the U.S. would have to be placed on an "Approved" list created by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which does not have the manpower or financial resources to do it.  Nonnative species includes virtually every bird, reptile, fish, and small mammal commonly kept as pets.  Until an animal is placed on the "Approved" list, you would be banned from adopting, purchasing, selling, transporting across state lines, or breeding these animals.
 
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP HR669?
Pet owners and the pet industry needs to be heard NOW!  Let your Representative know that you oppose HR 669 as drafted and the financial and/or emotional effect it will have on you, or your friends, or your family members if it passes.
There is a massive push under way by the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) for a MASSIVE letter writing campaign to the members of the subcommittee that will be holding a hearing on HR 669 on April 23rd. Letters MUST BE IN by April 21st, so everyone needs to get on this ASAP!
  • Go to www.house.gov/ and write your representative asking them to vote NO on HR 669.
  • Contact members of the subcommittee - both in Washington, DC AND in their district offices.  Let them know you don't want them to ban your pets.  For a list of members, go here.
  • Alert everyone you know and ask them to stand up and be counted.
  • Become a member of USARK (www.usark.org) and PIJAC (www.pijac.org) and help them defeat this bill.
We each have a voice.  Together, we will be heard.
East Texas Herpetological Society