2025 CITES Recap
The CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) was held from November 24 to December 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. David Garcia represented USARK as an observer, and Art Parola attended on behalf of the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA). Both coordinated closely throughout the meeting. During the CoP, David and Art worked with allied organizations such as the European Pet Organization, ...
ALERT: Orangeburg, SC
UPDATE 12/16/25: The ordinance was tabled at tonight's meeting with the motion made due to hearing concerns from many local residents. USARK's Phil Goss was there to represent responsible animal owners and received an acknowledgement from the Council, which was greatly appreciated. We value the Council's engagement and thoughtful consideration on this issue. The Council plans to have it on ...
ESA amendments
Amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through rulemaking. There are four proposed changes: Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): Eliminate the “blanket rule” option and require species-specific 4(d) rules tailored to each threatened species. This approach reflects the best interpretation of the statute under Loper ...
ESA: Southern hognose proposed as threatened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation as a result of land conversion and fragmentation causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species ...
ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review
UPDATE 1/5/26: The draft regulations were just released (not on Dec. 31 as dated on the document). The next Commission hearing is on January 14-15, and this item should be discussed around 10:40 Mountain Time on January 15, but the agenda may be changed. The deadline for written comments is 1/9/26 at noon Mountain Time. You must register for virtual ...
ALERT: LEMIS FOIA
Notice Pursuant to Executive Order 12600 of Receipt of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); Requests for Wildlife/Flora Import and Export Data stored in LEMIS The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has received multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking the release of confidential business information regarding the import and export of wildlife specimens and flora into and out ...
ALERT: Borneo Earless Monitors ESA Listing
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will post this document in the Federal Register tomorrow (9/14/25). It can be read on our website at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/25-earless-2.pdf. If you breed or work with this species, please email us at [email protected]. The comment deadline is October 14, 2025. On August 14, 2025, FWS is opening a comment period on the proposed ...
Illinois Endangered Species List Amendment
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has proposed changes to the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Fauna, which was posted in the Illinois Register on August 1, 2025. The link below includes the changes. Text that is highlighted and underlined will be added, and text that is highlighted in strikethrough will be removed. The new rules do not change requirements; they ...
ALERT: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing
UPDATE 7/15/25: FWS is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule to list the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei), as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. The comment period will last for 30 days. Public hearing: On July 31, ...
Wisconsin Herp Rule Review
UPDATE 12/9/25: A public hearing has been scheduled for January 12 at 5:00 PM CST. You can read the draft rule and highlighted changes below. The written comment deadline is January 13, 2026. The email address is [email protected]. Or you may submit comments via the comment portal at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/feedback/agencyform?cite=cr/2025/92. The mailing address for comments is: Department of Natural Resources, Attn: ...
ALERT: Vermont slider ban
The Vermont legislature amended a bill just before passage. The amendment added Trachemys scripta as a prohibited species. Anyone who owned the turtles prior to July 1, 2025, may keep their animals. Per the amendment, a "person shall not import, possess, or sell in the State a pond slider turtle (Trachemys scripta)." Pet dealers who had the animals before July ...
ALERT: Lincoln County, NC
UPDATE 1/5/26: The Commissioners again denied public comment and passed the ordinance with a 3-1 vote. The dissenting vote occurred because he felt that there should be no grandfathering of currently owned animals (meaning they should be seized or killed). There is a 30-day period to grandfather banned animals, but that "grandfathering" comes with hefty fees. All details can be ...
ALERT: Federal Herp and Fish Regulations
Representative Betty McCollum (MN) has reintroduced a bill titled “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.” McCollum introduced this at the end of the last session (died with session adjournment), and it is back this session as HR2976. This bill adds reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cephalopods as "animals” under the Animal ...
ALERT: New Palestine, IN
UPDATE 8/20/25: The ordinance passed tonight on second reading. Thank you again to all who joined USARK to educate the Council on the implications of the original draft and helped make this ordinance better. UPDATE 8/6/25: The Town Council voted, and the latest proposal passed its first reading. There should be a final vote at the next Town meeting in ...
2025 CITES Standing Meeting recap
USARK Counsel, David A. Garcia, attended the 78th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, the final meeting before the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP), which will take place from November 24 to December 5, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Key topics at the meeting included the production and trade of several herp species, such as: Ball python (Python regius) in Africa Red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas); Green-and-black ...
ALERT: Washington “Do Not Release” Brochure
UPDATE 2/18/24: The hearing just ended. HB1976 received only favorable verbal testimony but dozens of people opposed the bill through the online system. USARK testified in favor with suggestions to make the end product better, such as a simpler postcard with basic information, QR code, and accompanying website, which the state already has through its Don't Let It Loose resource ...
ALERT: SC Venomous Ban
UPDATE 5/28/25: Great job to all of those who testified and opposed this ban. South Carolina has a two-year session, but this bill failed to pass Committee during the first regular session (first year of the full session). This typically means the bill is dead, but it could be recalled or reintroduced during the second year. UPDATE 3/19/25: The hearing ...
ALERT: Virginia Animal Breeding Ban
UPDATE: The Governor vetoed this bill! This bill was pushed by PeTA and animal rights groups to advance their agenda of removing animals from our lives. The Governor did the right thing. UPDATE 2/17/25: The bill passed the House and will go to the Governor. The vote was 55 - 41. UPDATE 2/4/25: The bill barely passed the Senate with ...
ALERT: Connecticut Exotic Animal Ban
UPDATE 2/21: HB5905 failed to be "raised" before the deadline, which was today. The bill is dead for this session. Thank you for your support that made USARK's work on this bill possible! Connecticut House Bill 5905 would ban the trade of exotic animals and their parts. It was referred to the Joint Committee on Environment and introduced by Rep ...
ALERT: Connecticut Animal Breeding Regulation
UPDATE 2/21: HB5902 failed to be "raised" before the deadline, which was today. The bill is dead for this session. Thank you for your support that made USARK's work on this bill possible! Connecticut House Bill 5902 would ban the breeding of animals unless the person or company is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The bill also requires ...
ALERT: NY Red-eared slider ban
New York Assembly Bill A1685 and companion S6621 ban the breeding, sale, trade, purchase, distribution, transport, importation, and exportation of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Some exemptions exist, but not for private breeders. There is no grandfathering language, so any current breeders would not be allowed to continue. The bill does not ban possession, and current owners should not be ...
ALERT: Final Salamander Rule
In January 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published an interim rule listing 201 species (20 genera) of salamanders as injurious under the Lacey Act. FWS has now finalized that rule and written an interim rule that adds 16 genera (about 164 species), opening a public comment period regarding those species. This will appear in the Federal Register ...
Animal Shipping Guidelines: Cold, Hot, and In Between
A related article titled "Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically" can be read at https://usark.org/blog-ship1/. Shipping live animals, such as reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, can pose challenges at any time of year. We often hear concerns about shipping animals during the cold of winter, but summer heat also presents challenges that need special attention. These creatures are sensitive to ...
ALERT: ESA Modernization Bill
HR102 was introduced by Representative Andy Biggs (Arizona). This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered or threatened species. You may read the bill details at https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/102. Like many aspects of our world today, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) must evolve and see ...
ALERT: NY species ban
Senate Bill 252 (S252) makes some changes to the “wild animal” law in New York. It is sponsored by Senator Monica R. Martinez with Senators Andrew Gounardes, Leroy Comrie, Rachel May, and Luis R. Sepúlveda as co-sponsors. The was referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee. You can find the Committee members at https://www.nysenate.gov/committees/environmental-conservation. What it does: Redefines “wild animal” and “exotic ...
CITES CoP 2025
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) may propose amendments to the Appendices for the upcoming Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from November 24 to December 5, 2025. NOTE: There is not yet a formal proposal from FWS ...
Pets as Presents
Pets As Presents: Thoughtful consideration of animals as gifts The holiday season often brings thoughts of surprising a child or loved one with the pet of their dreams, but here is the truth: animal keeping is a commitment that can span decades. Instead of an impulse buy, we can ensure our pets thrive through careful planning and making informed choices ...
ESA: Hellbender
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Read the Federal Register document at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24-ESA-hellbender.pdf ...
ALERT: Ashley, OH
UPDATE 1/7/25: The final vote was postponed because Mayor Lockhart and the Council want to ensure they write a sound ordinance. USARK President Phil Goss attended and spoke for responsible reptile and "exotic" animal owners. Since only a few species would fall under the proposed definition of domesticated animal, USARK wants to make certain changes were made. Even though Ashley ...
ALERT: Michigan
Senator Polehanki has introduced a late bill in the Michigan Senate to classify all crocodilians as prohibited species. A grandfather clause allows the owner to obtain a permit from Michigan DNR. Owners who held crocodilians before the effective date will have 180 days to get permits. The bill language can be found here, and the bold text is new (the ...
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