Bill Takes Aim at Pet Owners, Sellers

H.R. 669 to Outlaw Nonnative Reptiles, Fish, Birds and Small Mammals

Apr 22, 2009 Zachariah Wingerter

Attention pet lovers: Beware of government. A proposed bill will ban the sale, breeding and transportation of thousands of common household pets.

On April 23, a subcommittee of Congress began deliberation on House Resolution 669, “The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act.” This bill, if passed, will criminalize the ownership of common pets that are not native to the United States, including most pet reptiles, fish, birds and small mammals.

This will directly affect owners of ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, parakeets and betta fish nationwide.

The bill’s mission is to restrict species that pose potential economic or environmental risks to humans or other animals. Nonnative pets that will still be allowed under H.R. 669 include dogs, cats, horses, goldfish and many farm animals.

H.R. 669 Will Destroy Small Businesses

In an economy that is already tough on small business owners, pet stores will take a huge hit when their inventory is shrunk to only a fraction of its variety. Gina Kirklin, the owner and sole employee of Pet Connection in Macomb, Ill., estimated that 75 percent of her sales come from pets or pet supplies that she would no longer be able to sell if H.R. 669 passes.

“I just don’t think you can run a business (only selling) dogs and cats,” Kirklin said.

The legislation would dictate a “one generation and out” rule, meaning those who own newly-illegal animals would not have to relinquish their current pets, but any offspring of those pets would be subject to seizure and termination.

Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act Will Leave Thousands Unemployed

Kirklin pointed out that in addition the crushing blow to “mom and pop” pet shops, the bill’s sting will be felt by commercial pet stores like PetSmart and even general stores like Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee. H.R. 669 would force tens of thousands of people out of jobs, from breeders all the way down the line to pet department workers at supermarkets.

“It will have a horrible impact on the economy altogether,” Kirklin said. “I’m worried about the unemployment, not the financial part of it. I will be fine – I don’t have anyone depending on me, but I’m worried about the other people.”

If passed, the bill would affect millions of pet enthusiasts around the U.S. and absolutely crush the pet industry. The government should spend more time and effort solving the economic crisis than developing rules for what pets citizens can house in their private lives.

Action must be taken to stop H.R. 669 from passing. For more information on the bill or to send an e-mail to your Representative, click here.

The copyright of the article Bill Takes Aim at Pet Owners, Sellers in American Affairs is owned by Zachariah Wingerter. Permission to republish Bill Takes Aim at Pet Owners, Sellers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Pet stores may be sunk by H.R. 669

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Comments

Apr 28, 2009 12:47 PM

Guest :

I think government should focus more on the illegal happenings going on in the country concerning pets such as puppy mills (should all be found and shut down...NEVER buy a dog at a pet shop) and real exotic animals such as big cats, bears, some reptiles, and some birds. Don't think too much harm is being done in the small fish industry...most of those fish are farmed anyway. But conditions of which the other exotic animals are kept in are disguting and definately NOT up to code. Exotics are NOT pets and puppy mills only care about profitting, not about the health and well being of the hundreds of dogs on these disgusting properties.

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