In Reply to: Re: update on new exotic pet law in Houston posted by Tiffany on May 29, 1999 at 13:26:57:

I plan a petition as soon as I can get the city to reply to me with all the details. Right now I am going by the words of pet store owners, secondary info. You better believe that I will colaborate with the owners to try and remove the law, if not to at least change it up. I believe this is too stringent a law...according to the details I have heard. It is upsetting that now in the City of Houston, the breeders are going to have to either move or sell off their stock. Imagine the amount of stress that the animals will go through if they are sold off.

Anyway, I'm working on the exact details. As far as moving to Houston, it's a great City, one full of exotic pet owners. But, with this kind of law in place, what's next? A license to own a cat or dog? Who knows!

I will keep you posted.

Cheri and Gizmo

: I'm wondering if you and some other owners (maybe organized by the exotic pet store owner?) could protest this law on the grounds that it is discriminatory. It seems unfair to tax exotic pet owners separate from ALL pet owners. Why should we pay more because we have exotics than people with cats and dogs? Maybe a petition or even the threat of a law suit in district court would make them reconsider. I agree that it will protect the pets somewhat, because more people won't be able to afford them, but it strikes me that that should be done by sellers if at all. People with less money that could be great owners will be less able to afford the pets than people with lots of disposable income, thus it is discriminatory to low SES people as well.
: Sigh...okay, I'm off my soapbox. But I'm not ever moving to Houston!
: Tiffany

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