From: webmaster@rainforest-pets.com [mailto:webmaster@rainforest-pets.com]
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 12:39 PM
To: michael@pijac.org
Subject: RE: HR 669 & S. 373 Update?
Importance: High
 
 
Dear Mr. Maddox:

I run a pet store in Cocoa, Florida.  We offer a wide variety of products, including many "non-native" animals such as baby lovebirds, hamsters, fish, a chinchilla, reptiles, etc.  As a result, we are extremely worried about the outcome of H.R. 669 and S. 373.

Since we learned about these two Bills, we have been warning all our customers...and the unfortunate side-effect is that people are now afraid to buy any pets, because no one trusts the government, and they don't want those pets taken away from them.  We emphasize that if they keep their receipt as proof that the animal was bought before the Law goes into effect (and hopefully saner heads will rule the day!!!), they'll be grandfathered in...but our sales have dropped nearly 75% since the news media FINALLY covered it on April 23rd.  It's frightening to realize that they don't even have to pass these Bills to put us out of business!

Several of the other exotics-based pet stores in my area were originally gathering petitions and warning people, as I still do.  But they, too, found their sales were declining sharply, and now they've stopped.  They're telling people that HR 669 has been dropped, and is no longer a danger.  My understanding is that it will continue to be a danger until this House session is over, in late 2010.
 
If HR 669 passes, at least a dozen pet stores just in northern Brevard County will be put out of business immediately, because they specialize in fish, or reptiles, or birds.  Several local stores have already gone out of business, and our store is teetering on the line.  Our minimum required to meet all our bills is $250 a day, and our sales have dropped to about $60-75 per day.

What really is being done at this point?  The Thomas Law Library has not updated their website since the April 23rd hearing, and your website has not been updated since May 12th.  I'll rejoice if it's true that HR 669 has really been dropped, but I want to give my customers accurate information.

Could you please tell me if this Bill is still a viable danger, and what activity is currently underway?  I've seen more and more co-sponsors appear on this thing, and not one of them has reversed their decision.  That warns me that the battle is still ongoing...but you are THERE, on the ground so to speak, so you would have a much clearer picture than those of us out in the boonies.  ;-)
 
Also, if the Bill passes as written, what exactly will be considered "sufficient proof of previous ownership"?  Our family does a lot of rescue work, and so of course we have no receipts for any of our rescued animals.  It would just destroy us if they were confiscated and euthanized.  Rumors abound that microchipping might be sufficient...but then again, it might not.  And some of the animals are too small to be microchipped anyway.  If you could let me know your take on that particular issue, I would be extremely grateful!

I appreciate any information you can give me!  Thanks very much, in advance, for your assistance!


Jo O'Brien
Rainforest Pet Store
http://www.rainforest-pets.com
Phone:  321-631-8012

From: michael@pijac.org [mailto:michael@pijac.com]
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 2:39 PM
To: webmaster@rainforest-pets.com
Subject: RE: HR 669 & S. 373 Update?
Importance: High
 
 
Dear Jo,

Yes, it is frightening to see what the mere threat of this legislation can mean. Imagine how much worse if it were to actually pass. Regrettably, this legislation is not dead. The reason you are unable to find an updated status on HR 669 is that there has been no formal action on the bill. PIJAC continues to work with legislators, members of the pet industry and other stakeholders to address the many serious defects of the bill.
 
The bill remains viable, but committee members are cognizant of the tremendous opposition there is to HR 669 in its current form and there are indications that they are receptive to changes. That being said, the fight to fix this bill is only beginning – PIJAC will continue its tireless efforts on this legislation as long as necessary!
 
Be very certain that PIJAC does not intend to allow this legislation to pass in its current form. But to achieve meaningful changes to the bill we need to make sure people aren’t under the misconception it is already dead.

I am forwarding your email to our CEO and General Counsel, Marshall Meyers, should he have additional information to provide at this time.


Michael