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United States Association of Reptile Keepers, Florida

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  • Wednesday, July 06, 2022 3:16 PM | USARK FL (Administrator)


    ‘Iguana Lady’ Jeanne Brodsky with several color variations of Green Iguana- Photo by Mike Stocker

    This morning when I woke up, I sat down to drink my coffee and check my phone for messages.  A Google news alert grabbed my attention. Channel 7 News Miami ‘We get a lot of Iguana calls.‘

    It turns out that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, including the SWAT team, has been sent out numerous times to respond to calls of sniper like activities. 

    To quote Channel 7 News, “Lt. Avery Figueras said emergency calls about people shooting at the big lizards, have created a big safety concern in the city, and not for the reptiles.“

    I don’t want to be the type of person that throws in your face the statement, “I told you so,” but I told you so.

    A couple of years ago, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) released statements to the media encouraging the public to kill the Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), because it was an "invasive species." After initial problems with that approach, they said, “This is not the Wild West,” and told people to "kill them humanely." However, they provided no instruction on what was considered humane. 

    FWC does not want to approach that subject, because there is no feasible way the public can humanely kill and exterminate the species. Many urban South Florida residents actually like the big lizards that seem to be peacefully coexisting with residents while, for the most part, not endangering native wildlife or landscapes. 

    FWC's goal was to get public interest and to create a hate mob towards this animal that has been documented to be established in South Florida since the 1950’s. FWC's other motivation for demonizing Common Green Iguanas was to stir up public support for banning this popular pet species in captivity.

    The real issue here is that there is a competition for South Florida’s real estate, not just for people but for animals too. Look at the property values now compared to the 1950’s. It’s amazing that South Floridian people can still survive here. Very few native animals or plants survive in South Florida's urban landscape, but Iguanas have found a way.

    In 2019, the Iguana ban passed and the killing continued. FWC did not allow a reasonable system for live Iguanas to continue to be caught out of the wild and exported out of the state as pets. 

    As Export Manager at Strictly Reptiles Inc., I sold and shipped farmed Iguanas. Less than 5% were sold to Florida destinations. I exported to countries around the world. This was a strong global market. FWC's Iguana Ban shut down that business.

    FWC said, "We don't want to export our invasive problem to other states." This seems silly knowing that Iguanas are very cold sensitive and can't even survive the winters as far north as Central Florida, much less other states. Cold winters kill off many Iguanas in South Florida.

    So, what has been accomplished by this ban/regulation?

    Eradication of the wild Common Green Iguana has not worked. There are more Common Green Iguanas visible in urban areas than before the 2019 ban, and it is getting worse.

    FWC shut down the business for the pet trade market. Pet trade dealers were banned and no longer allowed to buy and ship out of the state harvested or farm-raised live Common Green Iguanas. Licensed and Permitted dealers took a great revenue loss.

    FWC created a new revenue gain market for companies and individuals to be hired to kill lizards. FWC shifted the focus from live animal business to the killing-of-animals business.

    FWC promoted an action that led to animal cruelty.  They directed the public to kill Common Green Iguanas which has led to numerous animal cruelty treatments.

    FWC has created a safety hazard. The public, including children, are at risk while the “Wild West” hunters with their rifles and archery sets walk around neighborhoods and city environments. 

    There is a solution that is simple and will work:

    Call off the dogs. Stop promoting the killing of the Common Green Iguana to the public. Tell them to stop killing animals. Let the pest removal companies deal with that.

    Allow Pet Trade companies to buy and sell Common Green Iguanas. Allow licensed/permitted pet businesses with Class III licenses to buy wild harvested and farm-produced Iguanas, for the purpose of exporting out of the state of Florida.

    Allow the public to harvest live Common Green Iguanas. Let the public gain financial profit by doing something nice: harvesting live instead of killing.

    All this sends a much nicer statement to the world, that Florida is a beautiful state of tropical birds, flora, and fauna. We all want to protect it and love it.

    Thank you for your time and compassion.

    Sincerely,

    Jeanne Brodsky

    Jeanne Brodsky is a longtime South Florida resident with over 40 years’ experience in the pet business. She was an export manager and office manager for Strictly Reptiles Inc. in Hollywood for 32 years. Before that, she worked in sales for seven years at Pet Farm Inc. in Miami. She now works closely with Howard Fluker, the world-renowned breeder of Blue Diamond Iguanas. She was one of the largest marketer's of domestic and export sales of captive-produced iguanas from Iguana Farm-El Salvador before FWC made the Green Iguana a "Prohibited Species" in Florida.

  • Thursday, June 16, 2022 10:30 AM | USARK FL (Administrator)


    Petition asking DeSantis to Reign in FWC Reaches 12,000 Signatures

     

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

     

    A Change.org petition asking Governor Ron DeSantis to address stakeholder complaints and reign in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received 12,000 signatures since it was posted two weeks ago by “Florida Animal Owners and Businesses.” The petition has garnered widespread support from keepers of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. See the text of the petition below:

    *IMPORTANT: Only sign this petition if you are a Florida resident.*

    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. Our industries and hobbies are being systematically eroded by an ideology to remove animals from our lives.

    The adoption of unjust regulations in 2021 has already caused some business owners to flee the state as economic refugees. This year, FWC approved a package of harsh regulations that make it more difficult for animal owners to transfer their personal property, in addition to other implications posing serious constitutional questions. FWC staff is currently considering the creation of a biased “Safe List” that would be the most devastating blow to animal keepers yet. This would allow only a restricted list of species to be kept while banning all others. It would set a new standard for extreme government overreach in Florida.

    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. If the review reveals any misconduct, we ask that a full investigation be performed by the Office of Inspector General or other appropriate entity. Furthermore, we appeal for the restructuring of FWC as an agency that genuinely collaborates with animal keepers and business owners.

    Animal keepers remember a time when Staff, the Commissioners, and the stakeholders worked together on reasonable regulations for animal welfare, human safety, and conservation of natural resources. A recent policy shift has created a palpable divide between FWC and those who responsibly own and work with animals in Florida. FWC leadership no longer considers industry expertise in the creation of sound policy. There is a blatant disregard for the impact that destroying Florida’s unique animal industries will have on the State’s economic future.

    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

    *IMPORTANT: Only sign this petition if you are a Florida resident.

     

    The petition was first publicly promoted by Calusa Herpetological Society President Elaine Davis at the society’s meeting on June 2. “The pet industry is huge in Florida and the FWC rules are making it harder and harder for both pet owners and breeders,” said Davis. She added, “As regulations get tighter, many people could potentially be left unable to legally keep the pets that they love.”

     

    Fish keeper and member of the Florida Tropical Fish Farmers Association (FTFFA) Joe Hiduke said, "Florida residents are signing the petition because they are concerned about the future of the aquarium hobby. Having an aquarium or terrarium in a home or classroom is among the best ways to develop a bond with the natural world. The aquarium hobby includes thousands of species of fish, and the members of our hobby are very concerned that most of these will no longer be available. There is no practical way to evaluate all of the species of fish in the trade (let alone mollusks, crustaceans, reptiles, birds, etc). Hobbyists are terrified that we'll end up with a list of allowed species that only includes the most basic types that are traded in high volume. This essentially eliminates the hobby from the state that has been at the forefront of raising ornamental fish for decades.”

     

    Steven Nekhaila, Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Florida, weighed in on FWC’s actions. “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.” Nekhaila continues, “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.”

     

    The petition has been widely shared on social media. On Facebook, Kenu Turk commented, “FWC has been giving way too much power without any checks and balances in place.” Turk adds, “They say they don’t have an agenda but everything they do moves further and further towards the agenda of no more exotic animal ownership or possession in this state. They flat our lie through their teeth.”

     

    Daniel Hurd commented, “FWC justifies its budget by creating these new senseless rules and laws that make it appear they “care” about the environment and Florida’s native fauna. I’m not for defunding the police, but I am for defunding the FWC or even disbanding and replacing them with an organization more similar to the DNR other states have.”

     

    Harmony Merz commented, “If you love your pet reptiles, birds, fish etc., you should be signing this petition. FWC is overstepping and trying to take away our rights to have our pets. There are several responsible Florida animal businesses and all of their employees that will lose their livelihoods. I am one of those employees. This will have a great economic impact on Florida.”

     

    Sarah Greek commented, “I love FWC but they are going about it in the wrong way. We are signing to get help from our great governor to help save our rights to own our animals.”

     

    The Commissioners of the FWC are appointed by the Governor. DeSantis appointed the three of the current sitting Commissioners, including Chairman Rodney Barreto. Though the position of FWC Commissioner is unpaid, an appointment to FWC is an honor often bestowed upon influential political donors. The FWC Commissioners vote to approve rules which are crafted and presented by FWC staff. These rules may have far-reaching consequences for the citizens that they regulate.

     

    FWC’s internal documents acknowledge that their regulations will hurt small business. The “Notice of Proposed Rule” for rule 68A-6.003 said, “The Agency has determined that this will have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule.” According to reptile keepers, the proposed rule does not give them the same due process and private property rights as other small businesses in Florida. 

     

    Florida’s reptile keepers believe that the actions of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) threaten their ability to continue to operate as small businesses. The President of the United States Association of Reptile Keepers Florida (USARK Florida), Elizabeth Wisneski, wrote a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis asking him to protect the small businesses of reptile keepers. “Our businesses are threatened by regulations being imposed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Conservatively, the reptile industry in Florida generates at least $225 million annually, and we are an industry comprised entirely of small businesses,” says Wisneski. “We contribute significantly to the economy of the state and we rely on the incomes of our businesses to support our families and our employees.” She asks that Governor DeSantis, “stand up for our small businesses, as you have for other businesses in Florida.” 

     

    In her letter to Governor DeSantis, Wisneski explains, “At a recent public hearing on these proposed rules, FWC staff was asked if a single violation could be the basis for the revocation of a captive wildlife license. Staff replied, ‘Yes.’ The idea of someone’s entire business being shut down over one violation, which could be something as innocuous as a paperwork error, is unprecedented in our great State.” At the FWC Commission meeting on May 3, 2022 in Gainesville, FWC Major Grant Burton confirmed that “a warning is a violation.”

     

    She adds, “In December 2021, the FWC proposed a new package of harsh regulations that will make it more difficult for business owners to transfer their personal property, in some cases, preclude their ability to conduct business, require them to divulge private medical information, require them to self-report facts that could lead to criminal violations, and impose severe, punitive penalties. All of these implications pose, inter alia, serious constitutional questions,” said Wisneski.


    Letter to Governor Ron DeSantis from USARK FL President Elizabeth Wisneski

    At the May FWC meeting, animal keepers joined a crowd of dissatisfied stakeholders who condemned FWC’s management of species and habitats. These citizens included advocates for the gopher tortoise, a species which theoretically receives protection in Florida, but continues to be “entombed” in collapsed burrows to die a slow death at the hands of developers, as well as agricultural and mining operations.  Advocates for manatees, which have experienced unprecedented death rates in the past few years due to starvation and poisoning by herbicides, say that FWC’s herbicide spraying program has eliminated the manatees’ food sources as well as increased pollution flowing into waterways and estuaries. Anglers also condemn the herbicide program, saying that they observe fish kills after waters are sprayed by FWC contractors. Drone footage posted by YouTubers shows FWC contractors appearing to intentionally spray wildlife, including Endangered Snail kites and American alligators, with herbicide. 

     

    For more information and photos on this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Daniel Parker at 863-441-5067 or email media@usarkfl.net.

  • Friday, April 22, 2022 5:21 PM | Christina Williams

    We don't want this Blanket ban 


    It's Not the right thing to do & will make the Bad people do more like smuggle and sell  and other bad stuff



    SAY NO TO THE BLANKET BAN

    Please

  • Monday, April 11, 2022 10:00 AM | USARK FL (Administrator)

    Do you have a license to keep reptiles? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking to regulate reptile businesses beyond the scope of their constitutional authority.  In effect, you will not have the same due process and private property rights as other small businesses in Florida. Speak your mind to FWC at the public hearing for rule 68A-6.003 on April 11th, 2022.  

     

    FWC Hearing on rule 68A-6.003 

    Monday, April 11, 2022 

    10:00am-5:00pm 

    Hilton UF Conference Center  

    1714 SW 34th St 

    Gainesville, FL 32607 

     


    You must arrive by 10:00am to sign up to speak. Even if you do not plan to speak, your presence and that of anyone you are able to bring will be important. Please bring your family and friends. This hearing could mark a turning point in our struggle to continue to keep reptiles and other animals in Florida.  We know it is on a Monday.  It is worth clearing your calendar to attend. 

     

    Background 

     

    FWC appears to have recently ramped up the denial and revocation of captive wildlife licenses. Their actions seem to demonstrate a strategy of denying licenses based on paperwork errors and other technical violations not related to the actual care or well-being of animals.  


    While FWC maintains that they do not anticipate a dramatic increase in revocations, they do admit that the number would increase, even if "violations" were for only paperwork or other trivial matters. It is difficult to deny that the addition of pages of new captive wildlife regulations in recent years will produce an increase in violations due to the difficulty of complying with these complex rules. FWC says that they anticipate a cost savings for the agency because they won’t have to inspect facilities that have had their permits revoked. 

     

    What does FWC rule 68A-6.003 do? 

     

    • This rule deprives small business owners involved in the keeping of reptiles and other animals of due process rights and private property rights. 

     

    • It makes it easier for FWC to revoke or deny licenses and confiscate animals.  

     

    • It punishes associates of reptile keepers for violations committed by other people.  

     

    • Under this rule, a business owner’s license could be revoked because of a violation by an employee.

     

    • A family member’s freedom to keep animals may be infringed because of a violation by another family member. This is like everyone in a household losing their driver’s licenses because one member of the family had his license suspended.

     

    The history and text of the rule may be found at this link: 

    https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=68A-6.003 

     

  • Wednesday, March 02, 2022 8:00 AM | USARK FL (Administrator)

    This Wednesday, March 2nd and Thursday, March 3rd will be the next FWC commission meeting at the Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom D, 333 S. Franklin Street, Tampa 33602.

    USARK FL would like to encourage everyone to attend this event and invite your friends. 

    On Wednesday, staff will be proposing rules relating to nonnative species and on Thursday everyone will have an opportunity to speak on items not on the agenda. If you can not attend both days, we recommend you attend Thursday for "items not on the agenda". 

    Why is it important? This is YOUR opportunity to voice your concerns directly to the commissioners. Although staff makes recommendations for proposed rules to the commissioners, the commissioners have to vote and pass ALL proposed rules. If you don't share your concerns they will never know. 

    There is power in numbers! Let's show this commission how powerful we are!

  • Saturday, February 26, 2022 4:00 PM | USARK FL (Administrator)

    Come out and support USARK Florida and have a great time!

  • Thursday, February 24, 2022 11:43 AM | USARK FL (Administrator)

    Lacey-handout fl.pdf

    Please see this attached file and get the information out!

  • Tuesday, January 18, 2022 10:00 AM | USARK FL (Administrator)

    The judge in the yellow anaconda case has ordered the parties to mediate the case.  That mediation will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, January 18, 2021, starting at 10:00 a.m. ET, and all plaintiffs must attend.  The Zoom link has been sent out to those plaintiffs. On the Zoom you’ll have representatives from Holland & Knight, USARK Florida President Elizabeth Wisneski, the mediator and other FWC’s representatives.

  • Saturday, November 13, 2021 12:00 PM | USARK FL (Administrator)


  • Saturday, October 02, 2021 12:51 PM | USARK FL (Administrator)

    Earn cash prizes and help USARK FL design their next t-shirt!


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