Action Needed NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Printer-friendly versionSend to friendONLY 2 DAYS LEFT TO ACT!!!!! First the EPA with our Ornamental Ponds… NOW the Congress after our Pets, our KOI, and many other pets that are Non-Native to the USA. Join the IPPCA, IPaWGS and other concerned pet owners and industry professionals in being heard by U.S. Congress!!!! The Natural Resources Committee of the U.S. Congress will hold a hearing on April 23, 2009, on H.R. 669, a resolution that will in effect ban importation, interstate transport and the private ownership of most birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish as pets. Should HR669 be adopted as currently written? Absolutely NOT!!! We need your feelings to be heard by Congress to House Bill H.R.669….. NOW!!! Stop Congress from taking away our rights to have our koi, to purchase and own pets and to propagate these pets. Stop Congress from putting our suppliers, our breeders and our friends and colleagues out of business. Only the following nonnative or domesticated animals would be allowed under the current 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)
• sheep (Ovis aries)

Only the Common Goldfish is allowed under this bill. There are over 2500 species of Pond and Aquarium fish alone that are NOT permitted under this current bill. They would become ILLEGAL literally overnight. House Bill 669, as currently written, will put many families out of business and have our ponds and aquariums empty of our aquatic pets. Attached is a great synopsis and opinion of this bill put out by the great folks at PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council). We are attaching it with their blessing for those of you who would like more details before responding. WHAT TO DO: Email the following addresses listed at the bottom of the page. Let Congress know your feelings on them outlawing our pets. Simply Copy and Paste to your email To: address bar and let them know this is not acceptable. We must stand United against this GREAT THREAT to our hobbies, lifestyles and livelihoods. Thank you for your support and responses Action Needed NOW!!!!!!! April 20th, 2009 IPPCA Legislative Action Team IPPCA Headquarters Woodstock, GA 30188 770-592-9790 www.IPPCA.com