New rules mean steep fees for exotic pet owners-FL

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http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/BREAKINGNEWS/80106008

Article published Jan 6, 2008
New rules mean steep fees for exotic pet owners
by Tabitha Yang
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

“A way for the sneaky animal rights activists to get their foot in the door” was what lobbyist Gloria Johnson called the new, stricter requirements for people who own tigers, lions and other potentially dangerous animals.

The new rules, which go into effect Feb. 2, say anyone who owns Class I animals, defined as any wildlife posing significant danger to people, must provide a surety bond or financial responsibility guarantee of $10,000 or maintain $2 million in general comprehensive liability insurance.

Johnson, who lives in Havana and owns a tiger and two cougars, said she now has to pay this $10,000 bond, and she’s not happy about it.

“All of my plans to enrich my animals’ lives - that’s all on hold now,” she said. “It hurts our ability to take care of (our animals).”

The increased insurance requirement follows on the heels of other rule changes passed by the legislature that affect animal owners. As of Jan. 1, anyone licensed to possess captive wildlife, nonnative venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern must have a written plan detailing how owners will evacuate their animals in case of a natural disaster.

Also, owners must report any escape of their animals immediately to FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement.

The rules also make it more expensive to exhibit venomous reptiles such as poisonous snakes. Exhibitors used to have to buy a $1,000 bond, but now they must purchase a $10,000 bond. These rules affect the Tallahassee Museum, whose fees to exhibit their two rattlesnakes and one cottonmouth snake have now increased tenfold. But Animal Curator Mike Jones said it was about time for an increase.

“The $1000 bond was probably nowhere near adequate,” Jones said. “It was needed. They were just doing like everybody else, changing with the times.”

Other rules that are now in place for animal owners include a fee of $100 per year that anyone who possesses a venomous reptile or reptile of concern must pay.
People who own these types of animals, such as green anacondas and Burmese pythons, will have to abide by new, stricter caging requirements.

Most pet stores in Tallahassee have stopped carrying Burmese pythons and other reptiles of concern because of the stricter rules.

“Pet stores can still sell them, but you have to document where they’re being kept, and I just didn’t want to get involved with it,” said Petland owner Bob Bazell. “If you came into my store, in the reptile section, you’d see a lot of empty spaces.”
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