This proposed bill does not guarantee protections for all our native species. While this bill may be completely applicable to such invasives-threatened habitats such as those in Florida,and other SE states, the overall assumption that a non-native species will threaten our native wildlife in other states, is just that – an assumption. This bill does not address state to state specifics of what is a threat and what is not. Policing the laws that will ensue from the passing of this bill may also be very difficult. Groups like PETA have been trying to infringe upon the rights of Americans to keep pets for years. While it may seem logical to simply end all exotic pet ownership, there are countless exceptions as to which non-native is actually a threat. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I am quite comfortable in voicing the fact that an escaped boa constrictor in this area would simply not survive in the wild. This issue should be addressed at the state level, not at the national level. I agree Florida is a disaster zone regarding invasive species, therefore Florida should buckle down on the issue and impose stricter guidelines for that state. Please think of all of the pet shops and veterinarians and their place in the economy. Also, regarding health concerns, PETA has repeatedly tried to brainwash the public that we can all catch Salmonella from our pet reptiles. This occurs at very low frequency, and usually only among turtle and iguana owners who don’t keep their enclosures clean. Let us not persecute the many because of the few mistakes of the ignorant few!
Now especially, as threats such as global warming and chytrid fungus (an amphibian killer) are on the rise, recent evidence (i.e. Sir David Attenborough’s Amphibian Ark) states we should be snatching some of the world’s endangered species out of those infected or compromised habitats and keep them in captive-bred habitats until we figure out how to save their natural ones. This will be impossible if this bill passes.

Let’s not forget what kind of black market it may create for exotic imports. An ILLEGAL specimen is more prone to being dumped into the wild than a LEGAL animal.

This resolution, if passed, will ban the import, export, transport, breeding, and private ownership of virtually every bird, mammal, reptile, and fish species currently kept as pets.

The real agenda is masked under the guise of “The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act” or HR 669. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and The Nature Conservancy; are part of a coalition pushing HARD for adopting this ridiculous bill without amendments. Do NOT underestimate these groups. They are very well-funded, highly-organized, and are currently set-up to help the public push this agenda on our politicians.

Should this resolution be adopted into law as written, it will have a devastating impact on every pet owner and pet-related business in the United States. Action is needed TODAY to protect your rights to keep your pets!
http://www.scserp.com/SCS_Legislation_Federal_H.R.%20669.htm

Our rights as citizens are under attack from these radical environmental groups who use lobbying as a weapon to force their agenda upon the rest of us. If our elected officials would investigate peta and the hsus they would find that a lot of their activity and associations border on terrorism. Some of the people running these orginizations have openly expressed a will to abolish all pet ownership, not just exotic animals. If this bill is passed, it is a very small step to the banning of all animals. We must actively fight any legislation that attempts to ban any animals based upon opinion, or flawed scientific data. The U.S.G.S. report has been proven incorrect by independent research at the Public Library of Science.org yet the media won’t announce this, and that report is the basis of this legislation. If we do not stand up and protect our rights immediatly, they will disappear.

This is absolutely ridiculous. They already prohibit a lot of animals, but if you want to take hamsters and parrots away, that’s pretty messed up. How far are they going to go? Am I eventually not going to be allowed to have a Great Dane because they originally came from Germany? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY HARM THE ECONOMY?! That is preposterous! If the government prohibits most or all exotic pets, pet stores will start to close. The owners of those pet stores, and probably most of the employees, will have to file for unemployment, which will raise our taxes more! It’s a huge domino effect. I’m tired of this Obama guy already.

One benefit of keeping ‘exotic’ pets is that the owner gains knowledge of their husbandry requirements – both in captivity and in the wild – which in turn imparts a greater appreciation for species diversity and the necessity of conservation, INCLUDING the harm that invasive species cause to non-native habitats and biotopes.

One thing that scares me about this bill is that it fails to account for the captively bred and propagated species that are extinct or highly endangered in the wild. There are a dozens of fish species found the aquarium trade that no longer exist in their native habitats due to human colonization (ie Ameca splendens). There are also a number of parrot species that are severely endangered in the wild, that are being successfully captively bred in the United States (ie Hyacinth Macaw). Banning the import, possession and sale of these animals in the US will do nothing to control invasive species, and will almost certainly expedite additional extinctions.

Exactly. I am the President of a Marine Aquarium Society. One of our goals is captive propagation of as many species as possible so that we can not only minimize the impact on the environment, but also some day even help repopulate reefs damaged by other factors.

Laws should be written that specifically ban problematic species in affected areas, not blanketly ban everything and create tons of red tape for every exception.

This is just another attempt by PETA and HSUS to end all animal ownership in the world by doing it in small increments. They are smart enough to know that they can’t just come out and support a bill that says no one can own an animal either domestic or wild, they would get shot down in a heartbeat. So, they work behind the scenes, doing the same thing little by little.

This law would be awesome! Have you ever had a ferret invade your house & try to attack you at 5am – only because they smelt chicken that had cooked the night before? Any house is under attack from ferrets – because their owners don’t keep them caged & they can easily leave & enter homes…

I have seven ferrets. They are monitored at all times when not in their cage. Have never nipped at let alone “attacked” any one! These animals have been DOMESTICATED for over 3,000 years and are no more vicious than a kitten or puppy. More than likely some ignorant owner thought it could live on it’s own and let it loose rather than take it to an animal rescue. The little thing was probably starving and excited to see what it hoped to be a kind human companion. Do your research before making such a ridiculous statement.

This is just another attack on our individual rights. Those who want to impose their will upon us are always trying to do so piece by piece, this is another brick in the road that leads to governmental ownership of all animals especially those of the human kind. (Note) To: lovethis: If your comment was not a joke, your a moron!

It is immaterial under HR 669 that the vast majority of nonnative species in the pet trade have been in the United States in large numbers for decades, some for hundreds of years, and have not proven to be an environmental problem.
Numerous species are raised in the United States for many purposes, pets, recreational fishing and hunting, food, etc. Only a small number of species kept as pets have caused environmental problems, and this has generally been on a very localized basis (i.e. southern Florida, Hawaii).
Most states have exercised their authority to regulate problem species within their own borders through a mixture of management regimes ranging from permit systems to bans.
HR 669, if enacted into law, will prevent these animals from being bred as well as preventing them from being sold, re-homed or relocated across either state or national boundaries for any reason. HR 669 is both grossly misguided and poorly thought out.

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the most damage done to our native species has been inflicted by both domestic cats and dogs. If these folks were really serious about conserving our native species, they would have introduced a bill addressing the real problem, not one based upon irrational fears and prejudices. This has the USHS and PETAS’s fingerprints all over it.

If this Bill HR 669 passes as is we the American People will have lost another Constitutional right, it seems we are becoming more of a dictatorship-and being censored on what we can and can not do. We are becoming, no longer the land of the free, but do as you are told. Congress needs to start listing to the people, and what we have to say. Does our voice not matter any longer? Yes, some thing need protecting, but this bill, is too wide open. It will destroy to many lives as it is written. So many jobs will be lost. Why are we trying to destroy American from the inside out?

This Bill HR 669 is too vague and does not specify IN DETAILS exactly what animals they are trying to control. Ferrets? Dangerous? Are you kidding me? I own 7 and mine are the sweetest little critters. These politicians need to be educated (in many ways) on which animals are considered wild and which ones are domesticated. I think they have jumped on the ban wagon without doing their homework! Why do we need government to tell us what we can own and what we can’t? Don’t allow them to chip away at our Constitutional Rights! “WE THE PEOPLE…” still means something!!!! VOTE “NO” ON THIS RIDICULOUS BILL!!!!

I’m just curious as to WHY THE GOVERNMENT needs to slip it’s dirty fingers into ANOTHER aspect of our lives!?! They already attempt to control too much. If this passes, where will it end?

Let me clarify- I have no pets whatsoever. I have dear friends who have parrots and they keep them well maintained and happy. For the government to assume the right to determine what we choose to have as a companion is pushing too far.

This bill is like the end of a joke: “If the Government wants to control that, what next? What kind of PETS we can own???” Only problem is that they’re really trying to do it!

Call your congressperson and demand opposition to this bill! Call the sponsor and cosponsor and demand they retract affiliation! Don’t worry about being rude, they’re already taking away too many of our liberties and they know it. Show them just how pissed off you are!

If anyone needs help, feel free to write me at leomcdermott73@gmail.com

You said it just right! I have lost so much sleep over this whole mess wondering if my babies will have to be put to sleep, because some dimwitted bubblehead digbat had nothing better to do to earn her porkbarrel salary. Every bird I own, would be considered from another country of origin. I guess they need to check out the digbats peddigree, and see if she qualifies to stay. I say boot her out. and leat the pets alone.

Legal question? Can we not bring legal action for the stress and trauma this person or persons (bill supporters) have brought upon us? Not only on thier goverment level but also on thier person level as well as they have attacked us on a peron level.They have caused much pain,stress,and undue trauma to a person who is ill and warned to stay away from stress. I am immune deffeciant, adrenial failure,and they area threating to take what little pleasure I have away.These are part of my family.comments Please at wits end.

I’m opposed to this bill because of the following:
1. It is a waste of tax money.
2. It is a local issue.
3. Exotic animals increase the market for the animal industry.
4. It would take away beloved pets from owners.

After viewing 31 supporters 29 of which are democrats I have to ask have you lost you ever loving mind? Seems like the roles have reversed somehow, democrats use to stand for the working people, for justic, freedom, our rights as Americans, and to see the list of names suporting such a violation of our God given rights, Right our forefather fought to secure, and maintain for our future and here you place your name to disgrace them.I am ashamed to same I am a democrate, that I could even vote, the same way you do, as you must have shed you skin somewhere down the path of humanity. Have your pockets become so lined your eyes blinded, by the flash of ego, that you lost you since of right and wrong? For this bill is wrong. You are trying to take away our rights, our freedom, our persuit of happiness. SHAME ON YOU!

I plan on sending a lost of all the ignorant supporters of this bill to every pet owner I know in every state. I have 2 cockatoos I cook for 2 times daily and care about very much, anybody that would try and take them from me would definately be infor a fight. They are like kids to me.

I am especially worried seeing as my dream is to become a Herpetologist, what will happen to Reptile research once these animals are banned from our homeland. Imagine how few reptiles there are in our land, now start removing groups such as iguanas and Snakes, 99% of the snakes that are kept as pets are not native to this land, most of the native snakes are 1. Already Illegal to keep as pets 2. Venomous, and Illegal for a good reason. I’m terrified of how many stores will close down, I’m the guy who walks through petco just to look at the animals, I LOVE visiting mom&pop shops, theres a sort of warm feeling that you get looking at all those beautiful animals, thats where I feel in love with nature. Also what will happen to the endangered species that are being breed in captivity? My grandmother had a bird breeding buisness and belonged to the Conta Costa County Aviary Association, and she has explained how many birds are kept out of extinction because of breeders. NO ON HR 669!!!!!

Tell my kids their python is not a pet!!! I strongly oppose this bill and I reject the efforts of the HSUS to impose, to force, their wacky agenda into my household. I, as well as millions of other reptile owners across America, keep our pets with out threat to the public or the environment. What is a local problem to south Florida should not be the reason we allow the HSUS to advance their anti-pet agenda on a national level.

This simply cannot pass! The only pets not banned will be Cats, Dogs and Goldfish. Those three alone have devastated local ecosystems and if you ban exotics, you may as well ban the rest. remember the Tomato Salmonella Scare? that caused more damage than “kids putting their Turtles in their mouths”. Whats even worse about this Bill is the fact that it will hurt the economy even worse than it already is. Millions could stand to lose their jobs costing even more in benefits and services. It will also allow the Government to seize and confiscate animals from homes at which point they will most likely be destroyed. That includes your sons or daughters hamster, gerbil, or your sisters Milk Snake. Even your Grandmas parakeet will be taken away and deemed “illegal” overnight. If you currently possess a Illegal animal and you take it to the vet when or if it gets sick or for a checkup, your Vet will be REQUIRED to report you and your pet to “authorities”. People will also let more pets go.

People, rather than “surrender” their pets to Authorities will let their pets go into the wild. AMERICA! PETA and the HSUS is feeding you lies! tell your Congressmen NO on this Bill! Imagine the emotional trauma it will place on people, being forced to give up their pets! Tell the President not to sign this Bill too! Jobs are on the line and so are our rights and our mental health!

I think most opponents of this bill misinterpret the proposed legislation. Like it or not, many former owners of non-native, invasive species were not good custodians of their pet ownership rights. Burmese pythons, other constrictors, and some fish (like the Chinese snakehead) are absolutely ruinous to the ecosystem. I perceive the proposed legislation to contemplate the significant restriction or, when justified, the outright ban of a species which presents a serious threat to the ecosystem and, at times, to human life. I hope that some here will recognize that there are times when individual sacrifice (i.e. exotic species ownership) is required in order to protect and preserve the greater society.

No. We interpret it just fine. It is a bunch of politicians with no scientific background or knowledge of any of these animals other that what the sensationalistic media tells them trying to ban our pets because of their fear and ignorance. Regulations on species that can cause harm to certain ecosystems should be regulated in areas that are susceptable to infestation, but nationwide bans are just lazy.
The most popular aspect of this idiotic legislation is the Burmese Python population in Southern Florida. Everyone agrees that there is a problem in Southern Florida, but those snakes cannot survive anywhere else in the country, so a nationwide ban, like the one being proposed, doesn’t make any sense. It would cost billions of American dollars and thousands of jobs just because Florida is too lazy to take care of its own problem.

The only people writing on this are people who are afraid of losing their ability to own pets or sell them. Unfortunately, pet owners have been a major contributor to releases into the wild which have had biological and ecological side effects. Florida is a good example for reptiles and amphibians, but there are others related to snails, fish, etc. A lot of the science behind invasive species can be researched in any science publication. The pet trade is capable of breeding currently acceptable species. The problem is pet owners aren’t always as responsible as some of you would like to think, affecting local fish and amphibian populations, and plant species as well (which people often neglect to think about). Before you criticize a bill like this, look at commentary by the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Audubon Society, and other ENVIRONMENTAL organizations, look at real scientific literature rather than articles on the pet trade or “pet fancy.”

I will not support this bill because I believe it is a state issue. I think states should study how different exotic species would impact the local environment and economy. Their rulings would be fare better than any the federal government could come up with. States could also pay for enforcement by putting a small tax of exotic species and their supplies. However it disturbs me that many people on this comment page will oppose this bill because it will limit their pet choices. There is a real issue here of damage to the environment and the local economy. It seems to me in the grand scale of all things what type of pet you can own is a minuscule issue. Half the world’s population lives on $2.50 USD or less a day. So tell me how much do you spend on your pet?