If anyone hasn't had a PM yet feel free to throw me one; I'll pass on the names as well. Might lighten your load a bit there Colin lol.
In full agreement with Elizabeth; also, it's really nothing at all. If there's anything else we can do just say the word. It's people like that who ruin the hobby for everyone else, and it's just sickening that the authorities put in place to regulate this kind of behaviour are clearly not interested in their jobs.
thanks nighthawk I appreciate the help.. I was very tired last night not online and had to get some sleep.. but I've now messaged everyone who has requested it.
this incident and others including the DECC caging draft have really highlighted to me we need a voice.. not just on APS or other reptile forums but a group that we are all members of that has a lobbyist and some political clout. theres been talk of this before but little action so far..
however I will say theres been some movement for this group and registration is happeneing.. the NRKA National Reptile Keepers Association will happen and we need to get behind it and support it. the main reason why we as a group of hobbyists are such easy pickings for government bureaucracy and groups like animal liberationists that threaten our rights to keep the reptiles we love is because we are a disjointed rabble that fight amongst ourselves over anything and everything. not to say some issues are not important etc but we really need to put aside differences and unite together. issues like hybrids, jags, this that etc are things we can have our opinions on but I really feel the bottom line is we are ALL REPTILE LOVERS and we need to all unite and stand together for the greater and common good. we also need to put personal difference with others we may not like or disagree with on certain issues aside as well for the greater good.. a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and we need to make sure we are strong and united as a group without infighting and de-railing ourselves. once we have a group voice that has some political clout and muscle through numbers (that translate to votes) we will be listened to and have the chance to make changes and influence the powers that be.. this is why animal libbers and other fringe groups have so much say.. they are well organised with an agenda and have lobbyists that liase with governments and government departments.
Its about time that we all did too and stop these people (government or otherwise) that threaten OUR hobby and OUR rights to keep the reptiles we love. but we need to be united and not fight amongst ourselves (this has always been our problem & our greatest weakness)
maybe we could have prevented the incident this threads about if we had more political clout and influence with government and the media. but we're just seen as a few weirdo's that keep snakes and as a disjointed rabble with no inluence with anyone.. we need to change this perception and join ranks.. we have a huge number of keepers australia wide and its growing daily.. we need to organise ourselves and do it soon..
the NRKA should have in my opinion some of or several people involved from the EAG expert advisory group who have been fighting for us with the cage drafting fiasco from the start. and have state groups that liase with the established herp societies in each state, forums such as this and any other groups that reptiles keepers belong to. state groups have a representative or representatives that liase together on a national scale and spearhead the group as a whole.
we will be heard and will make changes once we are a force that carries weight with voting power through numbers. and its about time we did..
end of 3-4am rant
