Time to stand up and make a difference... no more pet bans

I know that most exotic animal enthusiasts don't want to do anything to make themselves look like fanatics (such as PETA does) but things have gotten bad enough that we need to start taking some serious action!

I am trying to get people in Illinois to write their state reps about making sure that the current ban on Prairie Dogs will only be temporary ban. If people don't make a fuss over this ban, it just might become that way!

I realize that the embargo is a much needed step to get the Monkey Pox under control, it's what happens afterwards that I am worried about.

If we sit on our duffs and continue with the wait and see attitude that most of us are used to then don't complain when your beloved pets are outlawed!

I urge people in Illinois to contact me. I am planning a demostration at the capital in Springfield, IL.

I have already held one such demostration at the site of a vet school that recently killed a PD. More will follow until I get the attention of the media and get my message out.

I also think we need to get more organized. I would like to start a list of every exotic owner and breeder in every state. We ban together and keep each other informed of issues that arrise in various parts of the country. Then we all ban together and bombard the proper authorities (that particular state rep) with an unbelievable amount of phone calls, faxes, and emails. This will be a powerfull tool if enough people are willing to sign on. The goal is to get at least 1000 people across the country, then more.

[Jodi]

More power to you!

BTW, welcome to the board

[Lucky13]

Yeah! Go Illinois!!!

I'd love to help, but I myself don't have any exotic pets. Plus, I'm only 16 and I don't know how much I could do or if people would actually listen to me..

I hate PETA, so this sounds like a good plan so far!

What kind of things are you writing to the reps?

You can help my calling and then sending a hand written letter to your state rep and the Govenor. Write about the matter at hand... the fact that you are concerned that the current ban on Prairie Dogs (and also all african rodents) will be permanent. If this proves to be the case, you find the reasoning behind this to be faulty... unfounded. PD's have never carried nor will ever again carry Monkey Pox... they were "contaminated" by diseased animals. If proper quaranteen procedures would have been followed, this would not have happened. If you can talk some older family members into making calls and sending letters it would be very helpful. Just remember, if we sit back and do nothing then we risk loosing the right to own Exotic pets.

If you live near the Champaign, IL area then see if you can get a handful of people to join me in a protest at the UI Vet Clinic... where they rmurdered a PD this past week. Next Friday, let's do it! Get your parents, aunts, neighbors and friends together. Bring your dogs... make it a family affair. If I can get enough people together then we should be able to get the TV crews to cover us. We need adults there, but teens will be useful as well! Spread the word and let me know within the next few days if you can join the fight. I may have to alter the date by a day or two in order to 2 friends of mine to participate in this.

If your parents are uncertain about allowing your involvement in this, they can call me at 217-379-6068.....ask for Ken

[Lucky13]

I'm about an hour from there.

I'm all for your plan, and I wish you the best of luck. But...I don't have a prairie dog, or any other exotic pet. I don't know anyone else who does either.. (But I wish I had them!)

Do you have any more information about the 'murdered' PD? Was it sick? Was there a reason?

I'll try to write a letter and see if I can do anything fairly convincing.

You can PM me if you want to.

Good luck Ken!

The pd was showing a potential sign of pox, but it has not been made public if it was infected or not... I doubt it had been. All of Phils animals were located, this was probally the breeder located 1/2hr away from danville thus perfectly safe.

Again, the protest is to protect your right to own exotics... it's not about the present... it's about our future!