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I am in a technical writing class this semster... for this class I have to write a proposal, which is a solution to a problem... I want to write about changing the federal ban on the sale of RES under 4"... I want there to be more to the law so that RES are not killed, or so that they stop going to homes where the owners are ill-educated...

My Question to you is: If you were the law maker, what law/laws would you put into place to help these wonderful turtles?

The following is an website that outlines the ban on the sale of RES under 4"

http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/c ... 0-100.html

Thank you for your comments...

A waiting period might help a bit. In my opinion people who buy a turtle and unintentionally ill treat ido so because they buy it on an impulse and bring it home knowing nothing about turtles or their requirements until it's too late. If they had to wait a week to buy it they would have time to learn about their turtle and prepare for it's arrival, (and turtle sales might go down as the less commited owners decide it's not worth the wait.) Just a Suggestion.

-Brian

What I really wish is that the whole animal trade industry were regulated. I know that the last thing most of us wants is government interference in our lives but so many animals are treated so miserably that I feel we're shirking our responsibility as a society to protect those in our care. We have laws prohibiting cruelty to animals but they are so limited in scope that many fall through the cracks.

To regulate the trade, dealers (not individuals selling or bartering their pets) should be licensed. This would ensure they are at least aware of minimum standards, would put them on the record so they could be monitored, and would provide a little money for monitoring and enforcement.

Standards for dealers should address cleanliness, space, food and medical care or euthanasia for sick or injured animals. Dealers should also be required to inform buyers of the care their pets will require.

Laws prohibiting inhumane treatment should be broadened to include all animals (yes - I believe they should protect our food animals too which they currently do not). Dealers should be responsible financially if they sell sick animals.

These requirements should address the turtles along with other reptiles, birds, mammels and fish. Where reptiles are concerned, I don't think dealers should be held responsible if the animal they sell carries salmonella and the buyer catches it, but they should be responsible for informing the buyer of the risk and how to avoid catching it.

I think a huge problem is that the laws are not enforced to a satisfactory point. I work a few blocks away from where they sell them illegally and the police don't bother with it.

Thanks for your suggestions... I think a waiting period would be a great help too... I also think that a care sheet should be provided with each turtle...

I agree with you SpotsMama that laws need to change to include all animals....

We as turtle lovers need to get the word out there that RES are not just the throw away pet that many people think they are, we as turtle lovers need to educate people about these wonderful and special pets...

Education is the most important thing. Just think about how many people have come here and said "If the person at the pet store had told me the actual care needed, I wouldn't have gotten [insert animal species here]".

It should be mandatory that pet shop owners be certified by the state as to the proper care for the animals they carry and they should require their employees to attend an 8 hour class regarding the same thing. It would save so many animals.

petland discount is very helpful, they're employees are very knowledgable and they explain things before you buy a pet

at least the one ive been to is

i feel bad because i knew nothing while i had a RES back in jr high and it died within a year
i look back now and see that i did a lot of things wrong