Anthony's Exotic Rescues

04/07/2024

Today is Angel and I’s 23rd anniversary. Amazingly, both are still alive. 😳🤪🤣

02/05/2024

Any of my reptile friends watching Monster Quest right now? About Pythons in FL

28/01/2024

24/01/2024

I don’t think you should refer to him as your “Late Husband” just because he’s never on time.

24/12/2023

What does 8 Benjamin’s get you for Christmas? An 8 ft Papuan Olive Python.

07/12/2023

A first for me: I will be guest speaker tonight at the Sarasota RE Meetup group

22/06/2023

Check out the USARK FL YouTube channel for our latest video for news:
https://youtu.be/YSu4yw2qFFc

1. Senator Rubio Reintroduces Lacey Act Language Threatening Animal Ownership and Rights

Take action by signing the petition at dontblacklistpets.com to voice your opposition to Senator Rubio's bill.

2. FWC Nonnative Species TAG Meeting June 21-22

The FWC Nonnative Species Technical Assistance Group, or TAG, meeting will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, June 21-22 in Tampa. According to FWC Nonnative Species Coordinator Sarah Funck, the objectives of this meeting will include refining a tier structure, improving risk determination processes, and identifying approaches to prioritize species for risk assessment. 

3. Roger Young Appointed Executive Director of FWC 

In conversations with USARK FL, Young emphasized his history of working with industry and expressed an interest in steering FWC in a new direction.

4.  USARK FL Auction Raises $17.5K

5. New Venomous Law Signed by Governor DeSantis takes Effect July 1

6. Rare American Crocodile Sighted in Brevard County, Tracking Device Lost

09/06/2023

Go to https://dontblacklistpets.com/
to sign the petition to tell Senator Marco Rubio to Stop the Animal Ban!

What’s Going on?

Imagine you couldn’t take your pets with you if you moved to another state, or stock your home aquarium.

Imagine rescuing tortoises and parrots made you a federal criminal.

Imagine zoos empty, unable to promote educational experiences for visitors to increase their appreciation for animals.

These are all possible consequences of bad legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in the “Lacey Act Amendments of 2023.”

The bill would create a federal "whitelist" of animals allowed to be moved interstate or imported. But a "whitelist" is really a blacklist--any animal not on the "whitelist" would be blacklisted. Pets and other species could be federally blacklisted by this proposal, creating huge problems for animals and the people who care for them.


ALERT: Lacey Act Amendments
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has again introduced a short-sighted bill to amend the Lacey Act, with the title ‘‘Lacey Act Amendments of 2023.” This bill 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 would also create a “white list."

The amendments will create a new authority allowing FWS to use an “emergency designation” that becomes effective immediately after being published in the Federal Register unless an extension of no more than 60 days is allowed. That means no due process, public input, hearings, or advanced notice.

FWS will have the power to ban importation if a species has not been imported in “minimal quantities” (to be defined) in the year prior to the enactment of this Act.

13/04/2023

The "Holy Thursday Massacre" resulting in a gravid boa formerly owned by Bill McAdam and 34 pythons formerly owned by Chris Coffee being killed by FWC will be covered by Top Story with Tom Llamas tonight on NBC national news. Tune in at 7:00 PM EST.

https://www.youtube.com/live/Ho1EPzN-2qM?feature=share

llamas

03/04/2023

Stolen from Seminole Heights. Reward!!

09/09/2022

23/07/2022

More details and sample messaging at https://usark.org/2022al/.

UPDATE 8/4/22: Please note that today's meeting was a hearing with no final votes or determinations. The Advisory Board was not present. ADCNR staff attended and documented testimony that will be reported to the Advisory Board and higher-level staff. We are working to get the proposal amended but there is no timeline/deadline for ADCNR to take the next steps. Thank you to all dedicated stakeholders who attended the meeting and voiced opposition.

The Alabama Department of Natural Resources had proposed new regulations that will impact some herpetoculturists. Comments are due by Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Read the proposal at https://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/220-2-.92.pdf.

Public hearing and comments:
The public hearing is 10:00 AM on August 4 at the Folsom Administrative Building Room 474, 64 N. Union Street, Montgomery, Alabama. You must provide notice of appearance to speak at least 48 hours in advance to [email protected].

Written comments must be submitted by August 4 to [email protected] or mail to Charles Sykes, 64 N. Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. The phone number is 334-242-3465.

Changes of note:

1. Makes all king snakes (Lampropeltis spp.) and hybrids illegal to own, breed, and sell without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner. Currently, only Eastern, prairie, and black “speckled” king snakes are listed.

2. Makes it illegal to own more than one box turtle (all Terrapene spp.) or sell/trade a box turtle without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner.

3. There are other new rules including, but not limited to, additional protected nongame species and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake regulations.

The full proposal can be read at https://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/220-2-.92.pdf.

13/07/2022

By Matthew Thorup Cankar
Photo by Nathan Rupert

See excerpts below:

“The FWC should not be making the rules on who can own what type of animal, especially broad stroke laws which essentially “whitelist” specific pets while banning all others. There needs to be specific consideration to diverse and unique industries which exotic pets support, which also preserve and protect those species from annihilation,” said Steven Nekhaila, Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Florida.

"With more government overreach looming, non-traditional pet and agricultural animal owners are once again under attack. Some Florida animal and business owners may find a major portion of their business cut off..."

“The release of animals into the ecosystem is certainly a concern, but by blaming all pet owners the FWC hurts those acting responsibly without actually addressing the problem. We ask legislators to protect the livelihoods and hobbies of those who have a passion for animals, and protect those pets from an uncertain future,” Nekhalia also noted."

"People that would like to sign a petition asking the Governor to stand up for the freedoms of pet keepers and business owners can do so here:"

https://www.change.org/p/fwc-mandates-threaten-pet-owners-and-small-business-fl-animal-owners-ask-gov-to-intervene

See full article here:
https://flmisescaucus.com/2022/06/23/fwc-continues-path-to-destroy-florida-small-businesses-and-infringe-on-floridian-residents-property-rights/

You have the opportunity to meet the officials who regulate you face to face and give your comments publicly at the FWC meeting July 13-14.

https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/july-2022/

13/07/2022

Yesterday, this petition hit 15,000 signatures. Why does it matter? Because officials at a high level in the government have told us that it matters. People are watching this. It is having an impact. The Governor only won his last election by 32,000 votes. In a land of shoestring elections, animal keepers are a legitimate constituency. This is not about your personal politics. This is about your concerns as an animal keeper not being taken for granted.

Sign and share today! (Only FL residents)
https://www.change.org/p/fwc-mandates-threaten-pet-owners-and-small-business-fl-animal-owners-ask-gov-to-intervene

Excerpts:

"Governor DeSantis,
The failure of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to work with animal owners on rules that balance the interests of stakeholders with conservation needs has created a tragic situation leading to unjustifiable personal property seizures, euthanasia of animals, denial of licenses, and severe economic impacts to businesses, especially small businesses."

"We, the undersigned Florida residents, respectfully request that your office review these matters to address constituent complaints that have fallen on deaf ears when reported."

"Furthermore, we appeal for
the restructuring of FWC as an agency that genuinely collaborates with animal keepers and business owners."

"The owners of reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and mammals come together with one voice to ask you, Governor DeSantis, to please direct FWC to suspend its harsh
mandates that threaten our livelihoods and the lives of our animals, and consider our input in the process of creating fair regulations.
Respectfully,
Florida Animal Owners and Businesses"

27/03/2022

National Geographic Picture of The Year. Black images are shadows of zebras. Zoom in and you will see zebras.