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This is your location for information on key issues of concern to the pet industry, hobbyists and pet owners. The issues may be reported in a PIJAC PetAlert, a special PIJAC notice, or a link to a media story. PIJAC PetAlerts and special notices summarize issues, indicate potential benefits or negative impacts, and include recommended action. PetAlerts are time sensitive and require ACTION! To take action, visit PIJAC's Legislative Action Center to learn more about what YOU can do!

NONNATIVE WILDLIFE INVASION PREVENTION ACT - H.R. 669
A hearing for HR 669, the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, was held in front of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife on Thursday, April 23. Marshall Meyers, PIJAC's CEO and General Counsel, representing pet owners and the pet industry, testified against the bill in its current form, explaining why, if passed, it could have devastating affects on pet owners, and the pet industry. For more information, go to PIJAC's HR 669 Forum.

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Oklahoma Creates Pet Quality Assurance & Protection Act

Date Posted: February 7, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 2745 is set to be heard before the House Committee on Economic Development & Financial Services on February 10th (Room 412C, 10:30 a.m.). Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Hawaii Recommends Pet Enclosure Requirements

Date Posted: February 2, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 2725 is set to be heard before the House Judiciary Committee on February 4th (Room 325, 2:20 p.m.) while its companion, SB 2800, is set to be heard before the Senate Judiciary & Government Operations Committee on February 5th (Room 016, 9:35 a.m.). Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Missouri Bill Establishes Pet Warranty Law

Date Posted: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: MO SB 690 currently sits in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food Production & Outdoor Resources, where it has yet to be heard. Click on link below to view PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Missouri Presents New Dog Breeder Standards - 50 Dog Limit

Date Posted: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 1921 was introduced on February 2nd, but has yet to be assigned to a committee. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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New Jersey Pet Shops Face Increased Fines For Licensing Violations

Date Posted: February 3, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: AB 1850 has been assigned to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources where it awaits a committee hearing. Click on link below to view PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Python Owners Targeted In Georgia

Date Posted: January 22, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 303 was heard for the 2nd time on February 3rd before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Environment. The bill was tabled pending further research on similar legislation in neighboring states. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Tethering Could Be Considered Animal Cruelty In Hawaii

Date Posted: February 2, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 2877 is set to be heard before the Senate Committee on Judiciary & Government Operations on February 5th (Room 016, 9:35 a.m.). Its companion, HB 2724, is set to be heard before the House Judiciary Committee on February 4th (Room 325, 2:20 p.m.). Click on link below to read PIJAC 's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Indiana Pet Store Bill Heard In Committee On January 27th

Date Posted: January 20, 2010
Last Modified: February 3, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 1258 passed the House with an amendment on February 2nd and is awaiting committee assignment in the Senate. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view amended text and take action!]

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South Dakota Targets Commercial Dog Breeders

Date Posted: January 29, 2010
Last Modified: February 5, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 1146 is set to be heard before the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on February 9th (Room 464, 7:45 a.m.). Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Iowa Proposes Additional Amendments To Commercial Establishment Regulations

Date Posted: January 29, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: SSB 3126 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Ways & Means and has yet to be set for a committee hearing. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Massachusetts To Allow Non-Economic Damages For Loss Of Pets

Date Posted: January 27, 2010
Last Modified: February 1, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 1250 was heard before the Joint Committee on Judiciary on January 28th. No amendments were offered and the bill is eligible for Executive Session (final vote). Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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New Hampshire Breeder Bill Heard on January 28th: Bill Bans Ownership of More than 50 Dogs

Date Posted: January 15, 2010
Last Modified: February 1, 2010

[UDPATE: HB 1624 was heard for the 2nd time before the House Committee on Environment & Agriculture on January 28th. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Iowa Looks To Regulate Pet Establishments

Date Posted: January 26, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 2280, a companion to HSB 604 was introduced on February 3rd and sent to the House Committee on Public Safety where it awaits a committee hearing. HSB 604 was heard on January 28, 2010 before the House Committee on Public Safety. Bill remains in committee. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Dog Tethering Requirements Presented in Rhode Island

Date Posted: January 25, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 2022 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Constitutional & Regulatory Issues but has yet to be set for hearing, while its companion, HB 7319, has been sent to the House Committee on Judiciary. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Illinois Amends Humane Care For Animals Act To Include Tethering

Date Posted: January 25, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 2580 has yet to be assigned to a committee. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Mississippi To Create Non-Native Reptile Program

Date Posted: January 25, 2010
Last Modified: February 3, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 1293 died in the House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks on February 2nd when it missed the deadline for all committees to hear and report bills. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Rhode Island To Ban Alligators, Crocodiles, Pythons and Boas

Date Posted: January 22, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 2027 currently sits in the Senate Committee on Constitutional & Regulatory Issues and has yet to be set for hearing. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to read text of the bill.]

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New Animal Police Powers Proposed in Virginia

Date Posted: January 20, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 884 currently sits in the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources where it awaits its first committee hearing. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action.]

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West Virginia Proposes Two Dog Breeding Laws

Date Posted: January 20, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 2699 (Aggressive/Vicious Dog Breeding Restrictions) and SB 147 (Commercial Dog Breeding Regs) currently sit in the House Agriculture and Senate Agriculture committees respectively. Neither has been set for hearing. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action.]

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King County Public Hearing and Vote Held on Pet Business Regulations on January 21st

Date Posted: January 15, 2010
Last Modified: February 3, 2010

[UPDATE: The new regulations were adopted at the January 21st Board Meeting. Regulations will go into effect on March 10, 2010. Permit applications will be mailed to all regulated businesses in February, 2010. Permit applications and fees are due to Public Health by March 1, 2010. Text of adopted regulations will be posted when available. Visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/petregs.aspx to to read more detailed information.]

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Delaware Department of Agriculture Adopts Exotic Animal Regulations

Date Posted: January 14, 2010

[UPDATE: Regulations require all citizens of Delaware to obtain a permit from the department in order to possess, sell or exhibit “exotic animals” within the state. This proposal essentially bans the breeding of any animal considered “exotic”. Adopted rule went into effect on January 11, 2010. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view rule text.]

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Tennessee Adopts Regulations Implementing Commercial Breeders Act

Date Posted: January 14, 2010

[UPDATE: The Tennessee Commercial Breeders Act became effective on December 22, 2009. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the adopted Act.]

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Exotic Animal Permits Proposed in Indiana

Date Posted: January 14, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 280 currently sits in the Senate Committee on Corrections, Criminal & Civil Matters where it awaits its first hearing. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Montana Proposes Hermit Crabs and Two Frogs as Noncontrolled Species

Date Posted: January 8, 2010

[UPDATE: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will hold a public hearing on January 14, 2010. Written comment deadline is January 21, 2010. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view proposed regulation text.]

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South Carolina General Assembly Introduces Reptile Restrictions

Date Posted: January 5, 2010
Last Modified: January 8, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 4218 has been prefiled for introduction in the 2010 session (January 12, 2010) and has been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action!]

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Senate Considering Congressional Ban Of All Pythons Under The Lacey Act

Date Posted: November 30, 2009
Last Modified: December 11, 2009

[UPDATE: S. 373 was amended in the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on December 10, 2009. The Cardin (D-MD) amendment would include only the nine constrictor species proposed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Burmese python, northern African python, southern African python, reticulated python, green anaconda, yellow anaconda, Beni or Bolivian anaconda, DeSchauensee's anaconda and Boa constrictor. When the amendment becomes public, it will be available on the Breaking News page. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and take action!]

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PIJAC Update: Talking Points on S. 373 - Contact Senators Now!

Date Posted: December 8, 2009
Last Modified: December 10, 2009

[UPDATE: S. 373 was amended in the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on December 10, 2009 (See Update above). Click on the link below to view talking points on S. 373 for you to use when contacting Senators.]

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PIJAC Sends Letter to Pet Industry

Date Posted: November 19, 2009

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House Judiciary Subcommittee To Reconsider Python Ban

Date Posted: October 30, 2009
Last Modified: November 30, 2009

[UPDATE: H.R. 2811 was heard before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on November 5th. The hearing mostly focused on a 302-page U.S. Geological Survey Risk Assessment on giant constrictors (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1202/pdf/OF09-1202.pdf). PIJAC Staff is carefully reviewing the survey and has issues with methodology. PIJAC is conducting an in-depth review of the survey.

Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action!]

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Congress Proposes 'Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009'

Date Posted: October 30, 2009
Last Modified: November 30, 2009

[UPDATE: H.R. 3907 currently sits in the House Committee on Agriculture, while its companion, S. 1834 is in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutritition & Forestry. Both bills have yet to be set for committee hearing. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action!]

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Kern County, California Animal Control Proposes Sweeping New Restrictions

Date Posted: October 21, 2009

[UPDATE: Kern County Animal Control will be holding a series of public workshops to address revisions to the Kern County Ordinance Code relating to Animal Control regulations. Workshops have been planned in six different towns throughout the county. Amendments to the code include new definitions, licensing and fee requirements, animal care requirements and penalties. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the ordinance.]

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Ohio Introduces Dog Breeding Kennel and Pet Store Warranty Laws

Date Posted: May 26, 2009
Last Modified: February 1, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 95, is set to be heard for the 2nd time before the Senate Committee on State and Local Government & Veterans Affairs on February 2nd (South Hearing Room at 10:00 a.m.) Its companion, HB 124 was heard for the 2nd time before the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on September 30, 2009. The bill remains in committee awaiting further action. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Illinois Breeder-Pet Store Task Force To Receive Testimony

Date Posted: September 22, 2009
Last Modified: October 2, 2009

[UPDATE: The task force established by Senate Joint Resolution No. 56 (SJR 56) held a meeting on September 29th where it received testimony from all interested parties concerning recommended legislation. Click below to read PIJAC's PetAlert for more information.]

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National Aquatic Animal Health Plan Made Available For Public Review

Date Posted: September 14, 2009
Last Modified: November 11, 2009

[UPDATE: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration considered public comments received by October 20, 2009.]

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Congress Considers Pet Expenses Tax Deduction (H.R. 3501 - 'Happy Act')

Date Posted: August 5, 2009
Last Modified: August 14, 2009

[UPDATE: H.R. 3501 currently sits in the House Committee on Ways & Means where it awaits its first committee hearing. Click on link below to view PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Indiana Updates Reptile and Amphibian Regulations

Date Posted: August 14, 2009
Last Modified: August 17, 2009

[UPDATE: Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources has published Notice of Intent to consider revisions to existing regulations governing the collection and possession of reptiles and amphibians native to Indiana. Click below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of proposed regulations.]

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Publishes Notice Outlining Proposals U.S. May Submit For The 15th CITES Conference Of The Parties

Date Posted: July 13, 2009
Last Modified: December 1, 2009

[UPDATE: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service accepted comments until September 11, 2009. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert.]

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New York Anti-Pet Bills To Limit Dog/Cat Ownership

Date Posted: May 29, 2009
Last Modified: December 1, 2009

[UPDATE: The New York Legislature has recessed until January 6, 2010. NY SB 4961 and SB 5392 passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture on June 2, 2009 and currently sit in the Senate Committee on Codes awaiting a committee hearing. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Massachusetts Looks To Regulate Groomers....Again

Date Posted: May 15, 2009
Last Modified: May 21, 2009

[UPDATE: SB 186 was on the agenda for the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure meeting of May 19th. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Massachusetts Bill Mandates Pet Care Information Sheets

Date Posted: May 1, 2009
Last Modified: May 15, 2009

[UPDATE: HB 192 was heard before the Joint Committee on Community Development & Small Business on May 12th. Bill is eligible for Executive Session. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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USDA To Add Contingency Plan Criteria To Animal Welfare Act Requirements

Date Posted: April 6, 2009
Last Modified: April 21, 2009

[UPDATE: USDA/APHIS accepted public comments on this proposal until February 20, 2009. Click on link above to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of proposed rule.]

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