New York State for Exotic Animal Ownership

Our worst enemy.

As has been stated in my other previously written narratives for this blog, it has been stated that there are, unfortunately, two types of exotic animal owners in the industry.  There are those who are true to the purpose of keeping exotic animals and those who connive and cheat.

It’s comical to hear the latter accuse the former as the ones who are dividing the industry or are the ones causing greater restrictions on industry activity.  The reason for the difficulty in respecting such a statement is the fact that the former group isn’t involved or associated with the very government bodies threatening the industry; the latter is. 

Upon becoming familiar with the “who’s who” in the industry, it isn’t difficult to see the ones who actively challenge the State and Federal governments concerning unjust restrictions and other issues detrimental to our industry.  Needlesstosay, they are not the ones cooperating with the government and providing the wind behind its wings in passing more and more unconstitutional restrictions. 

The other side is plagued with con artists and their belligerent supporters and families.   They are closely associated with government departments for natural resources.  In New York State, this is the Department of Environmental Conservation, or “DEC”.

The whole purpose of the cons to associate themselves with the government is to reap favor and thus be considered above the law.  Such a practice assists such people in their businesses in that they will often be rewarded with free animals from the menageries of businesses the government destroys.  Cons are also not restricted as the rest of the industry is in that their animals do not have to be licensed the same way nor are activities involving them. 

The one thing clearly damaging to the industry is the cons' tendency to go along with “fake law” espoused by the state, especially here in New York State.  One example is the licensing of non-indigenous species by the Department.  It’s expected for a non-con to license with the state non-indigenous animals, yet the cons do not have to do so.  Yet, the cons tell others in the industry it’s illegal not to do so.  Such an indication to other industry members is highly inappropriate not only because it is a misrepresentation of the law but also the cons are not authorities in the industry and thus are stepping far past their own ethical and professional boundaries in remanding specific (often non-existent) restrictions on non-cons while they baldly carry on with business as if they are not subject to the same restrictions.

The most disheartening thing of all is the number of people who follow such morally bankrupt people as the cons and do so blindly.   In our society which we prize as progressive and educated, it is surprising to see the number of people who, without possession of facts or the will to carry on research, blindly follow the cons in the crimes and misconduct they perpetrate against the good members of the industry. 

This is why it is imperative for the good in the industry to continue and challenge the DEC and their minions at every step of the way in the most effective manner possible.  While doing so, they should not be surprised when they get far enough in enemy territory where they will remove the mask of the real enemy: the industry itself.