Ladies,

I have never used this platform for this purpose before, but I feel I have to pass on news of an alarming developing bill in Congress. When my kids were growing up, animals were such an important feature of our homeschooling experience, and the news of this bill just turned my stomach today. If you care about animals, would you join me in prayer on this latest evidence of invasive government, and perhaps consider acting on it? Thanks in advance for understanding, even if animals aren't your thing.

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Join PIJAC, AFA, NAIA and others in opposing HR 669

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Anyone with pet fish, birds, reptiles, or small mammals will be affected by this bill. Any company selling product or services for pet fish, birds, reptiles or small mammals will be affected by this bill. Would you be impacted by “The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act”?

* Virtually all fish in an aquarium are not native to the United States
* Most pet birds are species not native to the US
* Most reptiles kept as pets are not native to the US
* Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and ferrets are not native to the US

This bill would ban nonnative species not specifically approved by US Fish & Wildlife Service. AND, it does NOT only ban their importation, it also bans sales, transportation and breeding of these animals

* If you own a bird or reptile, and your specialized veterinarian is located across the state line from your home, you would be prohibited from taking your pet to its veterinarian.

* If you own two fish and they have babies, you would be in violation of this law and your pets could be confiscated and destroyed.

* Don’t plan on moving to another state with your pet. Crossing state lines with your hamster, fish, bird, snake or other nonnative animal will be illegal.

ANY animal except dogs, cats and goldfish will need to go through a costly, extensive study to prove they will not cause harm AND be approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service before they can be pets. The proposed congressional ban on “nonnative species” will affect hundreds of millions of animals currently kept as pets.

Under HR669, ANY animal not native to the U.S. would have to be placed on an “Approved” list created by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which does not have the manpower or financial resources to do it. Nonnative species includes virtually every bird, reptile, fish, and small mammal commonly kept as pets. Until an animal is placed on the “Approved” list, you would be banned from adopting, purchasing, selling, transporting across state lines, or breeding these animals.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Pet owners and the pet industry needs to be heard NOW

* Contact members of the subcommittee – both in Washington, DC AND in their district offices. Let them know you don’t want them to ban your pets.
* Attend your representatives Town Hall meeting during the Congressional Spring Break (April 6-17) and ask them WHY THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR PETS.
* Alert everyone you know and ask them to stand up and be counted. Printable flyers are available at: pijac.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm <http://pijac.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=175>

Go to this link for a tool to write your representatives:
Tool for writing a quick letter to your representative automatically with editable talking points

The above link will help you quickly compose a letter that can be composed, printed and mailed (more effective) or sent automatically to your representative (even if you don't know who that is) in a matter of minutes.

Please prayerfully consider making the time to take action on this bill.