The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Zoos Association of America (ZAA) have declared war on private sector exotic animal owners. For well over a decade AZA has been working hand in hand with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to shut down the private ownership o exotic animals. ZAA is a more recent, fledgling AZA knockoff that wants to be a part of the explicit monopoly that AZA has established.

Both AZA and ZAA really showed their hands in their over the top partnership with HSUS in Ohio last year. Both organizations are ripe for a lawsuit in defense of our industry. Preparation for the AZA/ZAA lawsuit is underway and we will move full speed ahead once Wilkins vs. the State of Ohio is settled.

One of the first motions that Herp Lobby put before the courts in Wilkins vs the State of Ohio was to recover any and all expenses in that case. Similar motions will be filed in all suits and those dollars will be rolled over for subsequent law suits. We not only have to show that we have the willingness to sue but that we also have the financial ability to follow through. Be a part of the solution and donate today!

Long before Wilkins vs. the State of Ohio was even contemplated Herp Lobby had started work on a law suit against the U.S. Department of the Interior's Boa and Python ban. Herp Lobby's legal team has developed a winning strategy and will file suit once we have raised $12,000.00 to pay for the feasibility study, case brief, and court fees.

Herp Lobby has set up a separate account for the USDI law suit. Members can designate funds for the USDI account. In the near future there will be an added link on this site that keeps an updated running account of funds raised for this lawsuit. Keep watch and help out!

The lawsuit in Ohio continues in the federal court system, please continue to help Herp Lobby in the battle! Herp Lobby and The Ohio Association of Animal Owners (OAAO) in partnership against filed suit against the state of Ohio over Ohio's exotic animal ban, commonly referred to as John Mack 310. Herp Lobby and OAAO have filed an appeal of a lower federal court's decision in that case which is headed to the U.S. Sixth District Court of Appeals. Judge Robert Smith's ruling in the case was a weak political decision, which, we are confident, will be overturned by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. This case is the first ever law suit filed by our industry to defend our industry. The results of Wilkins vs. the State of Ohio will have national implications on both proposed and enacted legislation in Nevada, Virginia, Connecticut, West Virginia, etc.. Every member of the herp community should be contributing financially to this court battle.

We currently have a raffle for a rosehair tarantula and setup. The raffle tickets are $1 per ticket and can be purchased at 1259 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229. The drawing will occur on the first Friday of March. Help us continue to fight the laws.