NARBC is Back! Plus new alerts and updates.

NARBC is Back! Plus new alerts and updates.
Read below or at https://mailchi.mp/usark/2021_alerts12
Due to the heavy alert volume this year, we have created an ALERT page on our website at https://usark.org/alerts/.
Please visit that page if you just began receiving our newsletters. Also, please see below for an update on membership shirts as many members have been inquiring.
NARBC: North American Reptile Breeders Conference
Arlington It is time for the first major show of the year and it is happening in Texas! This show continues to grow and improve.
You only get this opportunity twice a year so you better not miss your shot this weekend. USARK greatly appreciates the continued support from Bob, Brian, and the NARBC crew.
Not only does NARBC strive to put on professional and top-notch shows, but they benefit the herp community in many other ways, too. Thank you!
DO NOT MISS the USARK benefit auction Saturday night following the show. There will be plenty of donations from the vendors to support our cause.
It is included with your show ticket and attendees who go once always come back. Included in this auction (along with oodles of other items) are three awesome original paintings by
Hidden Forest Art Gallery
. This time we have three turtle paintings: spotted, Western box, and Eastern box! See a preview at the bottom of this newsletter.
Thanks again, Gamini and Lisa! All show attendees are welcome and bidding is free!
The auction has both live and silent portions so there are opportunities for everyone. Show attendees can come and hang out with the vendors while enjoying the always amusing antics from Brian Potter.
Show Schedule:
Saturday, April 24: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Benefit Auction: Auction preview (room opens) at 5:30. The auction will start at 6:00 pm. FREE and open to everyone.
Sunday, April 25: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where:
Arlington Convention Center
1200 Ballpark Way
Arlington, Texas
76011
More information at www.narbc.com/Arlington/arlington.html.
AUCTION NOTE: There will be adult-oriented language and shenanigans at the auction. While everyone is welcome, parents should be advised if bringing children. There will be free appetizers and a cash bar.
ALERT: North Carolina
House Bill 594 (H594) is another “traveling animal act” ban that misleads as to its intention. This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act,” includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion from the reader.
H594 prohibits using certain animals (list at the link and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in "traveling animal acts," which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers.
The punishment is a Class II misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
PLEASE READ THE LAST SENTENCE AGAIN!
With all of the problems in our world, we actually have to fight a bill that could land you in jail for 60 days because you took a tortoise to a classroom to talk about reptiles.
Full details at the links below.
Website ALERT: https://usark.org/alert-nc-2021/
Facebook ALERT: https://www.facebook.com/.../a.39822766.../3881285385286719/
ALERT UPDATE: Illinois
Thank you to everyone who opposed this bill! HB3889 has received a motion to table! Essentially, this will be the end for this bill as the sponsor is pulling it from consideration (i.e. no hearings and it will die) under Rule 60(b) that allows the Principal Sponsor of a bill to table his/her bill at any time.
This bill would have:
1. Banned any animal species non-native to the U.S. being transported and then viewed by any audience;
2. the only exemption applies to programs in which the animal is not transported at a “non-mobile, permanent institution, or other facility;”
3. violation penalty is up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine (Class A misdemeanor);
4. This bill amends the current law (720 ILCS 5/48-11) which only applies to elephants but would include ALL non-native species and those of a “foreign character” if it passes.
More details at https://usark.org/2021-il/.
ALERT UPDATE: Lacey Act Amendment
We updated our alert with the bill text and a summary for S626. This is more than a bill that would reverse the USARK federal lawsuit victory by reinstating the ban on interstate transportation of species listed as injurious under the Lacey Act.
The bill has sweeping ramifications not only for herpetoculture, but many other animal interests potentially affecting nearly all species (both non-native and native) of animals not considered domesticated.
We will present a detailed Action Alert soon and when appropriate.
Please read our update at the link below.
Website LINK: https://usark.org/2021-lacey/
Facebook LINK: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3766820980066494
ALERT UPDATE: Eureka, California
Thank you to everyone involved! Eureka officials have listened to the herpetocultural community's many concerns regarding the last draft of the City's animal ordinance. Changes were made.
The new ordinance reflects a common-sense approach to the revision.
Website Alert: https://usark.org/2021-eureka/
Facebook Alert: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3745814392167153
UPDATE: Membership Shirts
Thanks for your support!
All shirts for memberships through the end of February should go out this week. If you registered in March or April, your shirt(s) will go out as soon as we get our next run of shirts printed (ordered this week).
There was a disclaimer when you registered at the top of the page that shirts may take 6-8 weeks to arrive.
Some members did have to wait longer but our new system will get shirts out much faster after we are done playing catch-up.
Our apologies again for the delay but we are working to get all shirts out and to avoid this problem in the future.
Have a good day.
Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically
Animal welfare is both a priority and a special concern when shipping live reptiles and amphibians.
When conditions around shipping pose a hazard that cannot be otherwise mitigated, reptiles should not be shipped.
Read our full statement at https://usark.org/2021-safe-shipping/.
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/.../a.39822766.../3737466813001911/.
Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian?
The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at
​ http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.