repost from :

Bettas, Ferrets, Bearded Dragons, Budgies, Hamsters; The list goes on and on! This affects most animals that are Non-Native to the wild in the United States. If you love your pets, or are at least friends with somebody who cares for theirs, PLEASE help: There is a bill going through the legislative process at the moment that WOULD ban most pet birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and small mammals from being sold and owned in the whole of the United States. I'm deadly serious: This is not a joke or a hoax, do not trust that its ludicrous nature will keep it from passing. Do not assume others will take action and that everything will be okay: unless you also speak up yourself. I, as a responsible, life long, pet lover and rescuer, at least need you to do this for me. GO HERE [link] and, in the very the least, fill out the tiny bit of info needed for the email form that will automatically go to your state's representative. It really couldn't be easier.

If you want to do more- PASS THE WORD- DA, Live Journal, Facebook, etc...

Once again, that site is:
[link]
Watch the youtube video here [link] there on the main page, if you don't want to read- it's quick and well done and explains everything very well and very simply!
You can also read the pre-written letter to congress here [link] which is well done, short, and simple, from the email form of that site, for the gist of the bill.

From what I've heard, only 7,000 people have filled out the email form on that site- that is NOT ENOUGH! That's actually pretty sad and terrifying. I honestly don't think many people have heard about this bill though. I mean, today was the first time I have heard of it: So that's why I'm here pleading with all of you. *begs* Just go do it.

It was introduced on Jan 26, 2009 and there will be a hearing on APRIL 23! So it is URGENT you speak up before then. This will make it so that, if your pets, like hamsters/finches/mollies, have babies, it will be a violation of the law, they shall be subject to confiscation, and destroyed. I've seen stuff like this happen, due to ignorance of the law, to animals in places even where they are legal: It's not rare for the government to be ignorant of it's own laws and the consequences of them. Help stop this now, before it's an issue: If this gets passed, a lot of bad shit will have to happen before there's a chance of it getting repealed. Even if you don't believe it will get bad, ask your self: is the risk of the misinterpretation of this bill, even in one of our many counties, worth letting it get passed?

Here is the actual bill text [link]

These will be the ONLY officially approved animals- any others ARE NOT COVERED in the wording of the bill:
"any cat (Felis catus), cattle or oxen (Bos taurus), chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), dog (Canis lupus familiaris), donkey or ass (Equus asinus), domesticated members of the family Anatidae (geese), duck (domesticated Anas spp.), goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus), horse (Equus caballus), llama (Lama glama), mule or hinny (Equus caballus x E. asinus), pig or hog (Sus scrofa domestica), domesticated varieties of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), or sheep (Ovis aries)"
(most of which you can't keep unless you have farm property anyway, due to city ordinances)

These will be subject to the ban:
"any live species or subspecies of animal that is not a native species or subspecies, whether or not born or raised in captivity;"

Keep in mind:
This would also put most pet stores, most of the pet supply industry, out of business. I'm sure I really don't need to point out that we don't need more people out of work and looking for jobs at the moment. Many of my friends, and people who run RESPONSIBLE small pet business, would be out of work and forced to shut down. They're FREAKED! That's where I actually heard about this bill: The local reptile shop- The owner is a great guy who has worked in Zoo's and been a teacher for many many years. He only buys captive bred- he educates people on the pets they're buying- He's very aware that this bill would end his livelihood- and not only that, it could eventually stop him from being able to own the animals he's loved enough to build his life around. This law is only going to hurt responsible people. Don't let this bill go further than it has. Don't think that things will be okay and that the government will make reasonable choices for its people: This doesn't have to be a partisan issue, it doesn't matter who is in power, I don't want to talk about who is "stupid" here, all that matters is that YOU speak up now and hopefully the government will have an example set, by a tidal wave of voices, on how its people feel and NEVER try such a ill thought out animal law again- or at least in the near future. It's along shot but that's why we at least need to try. I understand why the bill started, I've seen damage done by non-native species, but that can also be taken care of with smaller, less extreme measures: Unfortunately this is a broad and vague bill that simply stops the rights I feel we should have if we want to own anything other than a cat or dog... And there are so many reasons to want the right to own other species (Like allergies for one.) One of the reasons I love animals so much is because I could keep such a variety of pets, and study them and how wonderful and distinct they are, as a child. So, please, in the very least, don't shrug this off. Fill out the form and, if you can, pass the word along to any of your friends, family, co workers, and especially your internet haunts!

EDIT:I was just reminded of this:
If you are not a US citizen; No, you can't fill out the form, but you can still pass the word along! It will help, even if you only get one more US citizen to step up, it will matter and I really couldn't thank you enough if you take the time to do that.