Hmmm... I'm not really sure to say to them: "I have animals you would take if you knew about, and I don't want my hobby to be more "illegal"? Anyone want to share the gist of what they are saying for those of us less versed in writing letters to the government?
Very good point!
If you feel that such a bill, although it would cause the entire exotic pet trade to close down, as well as depriving millions of folks of their pets, would protect the public from serious imminent danger and or protect ecosystems currently being threatened by exotic pets, then you should support it. But remember, the onus of proof is always on the lawmakers who introduce and support any bill.
Go to the Humane Society of the United States website and enter "HR 669." in the search pane. You will find a para saying that the bill "will save the suffering of millions of animals" and a form letter to send to your representative. There is no actual discussion of the provisions of and penalties demanded by the bill.
Go to
http://www.arbreptiles.com/lastword/legislation.shtml for the opposing view. See if you agree with them. Follow some of their numerous links.
Then write:
"Dear Sir (or Madam): I write this to express my outrage at the provisions of and draconian penalties proposed by HR 669. Nowhere has there been presented adequate scientific evidence that such a bill would protect our environment from introduced species. Indeed, the majority of such malign introductions in the past have been due to accident, such as the zebra mussel in the Midwest or by incompetent ecological biologists, such as the mongoose in Hawaii. The Humane Society of the United States has openly stated, without any supporting evidence, that it intends to close down the exotic pet industry, because it causes the suffering of "millions of animals," though it is unable to contain the the cruelty regularly committed by owners of puppy mills throughout the US.
I was happy to vote for you in the last election, but frankly, neither I nor my friends will find ourselves able to support any congressman who would support or vote for such an outrageous bill.
Yours, etc.
Long live the Democratic Process!
