From Adam Hill

P1010021, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, I went to the Florida Fish and Wild Life Meeting with Kathy Nelson, Kay, Pam and Linda Rosaire last night. It was very informative and not as bad as I thought it was going to be. They are trying very hard to keep the people and the animals of Florida safe but still allow people to posses class I, II, and III animals. Here are some notes from Bob Johnson, OABA president summarized from the meeting and also a list of the attendees: Well attended the two hour hearing on February 25, with about 100 or so people attending. FWC did an excellent job reviewing the proposed rules and then opening for public comment for the last hour of the hearing. Several animal extremists raised their typical issues about ownership, exhibition and performance of wild, exotic animals. Sanctuary owner Carol Baskin from Big Cat Habitat in Tampa had invited about 15 people to read prepared statements. It appeared that some of the same extremists attended the hearing in Gainesville, FL. At one point Haskin those present in opposition to ownership of exotic wildlife to stand and some 20 or so people stood up. Then someone shouted for all others to stand who own, exhibit and raise exotic wildlife... which was the majority of attendees. Several of our folks asked questions and received favorable response. Monica Welde as example knows she is supposed to get a permit from FWC for her bears when re-entering the State of Florida, but does not have to mark her vehicles stating "Caution Wild Animals" ...only their cages. Welde was also glad to hear that any increased cage size requirements have been put off for two years and because she and John travel with their bears, larger cage sizes proposed by FWC above and beyond USDA requirements would not be necessary and could be a safety hazard to their bears in transport. There was much discussion over whether of not a licensed "Sanctuary" verses a "Rescue" facility can do shows to raise funds to help care for and feed their animals. The discussion on this issue by FWC got very technical and was pushed off to the FL legislature for further clarification and direction. It sounded as though Kay Rosaire's facility, which does shows under another corporation, then donates funds to her "sanctuary" should be within these regulations. Also, several changes with regards to Class 2 animals moving to Class 1, and the required experience on Class 2 license holders being increased from 500 to 1,000 hours. Class 1 is still at 1,000 hours and most of our group voiced their comments and thought the 1,000 hours was not sufficient and should be increased. With respect to recordkeeping and forms, FWC said that USDA forms can replace State forms as long as the required information on USDA forms was similar to FWC requirements. There is no effective date as of yet for these new Rules to go into effect. FWC began working on them with a task group panel of experts, which has been disbanded, in 2005. After all comments are in by March 13, they will be forwarded to the Florida Wildlife Commission, that meets in June 2009, for further review and potential changes. The revisions after these hearings will be posted on the FWC website.