tropical species in cold climates require heating, cold climate species in tropical climates require cooling, its a no brainer really. there are many cooling systems available for many different applications just generally most keepers arent interested in spending the money or changing their ways from a wooden box with a heat light, kinda sad the way we still all follow the same old school methods of housing our animals
this hobby disregarding needs for ease of cleaning and cheaper power bills leaves ourselves open to be picked apart by surveys and studies etc as posted above, just look at the stink people put up over the caging requirements recently brought in to NSW which weren't unreasonable at all
Just to correct the record insitu, you oversimplify the matter of the "stink" you suggest the NSW Code of Practice caused amongst reptile keepers and those participating in the "consultation" sought by NSW NPWS.
1. There was a very significant problem with the matter and the process from the outset - NPWS was never able to provide us with the reasons for its implementation, at any time - no evidence of need whatsoever. It was clearly the brainchild of ideology - two individuals, one from DII and the other from NPWS, simply decided that this was something they could do to make their mark. When those with power, who oversee our activities, make arbitary decisions and can't objectively justify them, we have a big problem.
2. It became very obvious that the assurances of a transparent, consultative process were very hollow indeed. The dept wasn't interested in consultation, it had an agenda and may have been seeking support from some of the most knowledgeable herp keepers in the country. During the process, the committee involved itself in hundreds of hours of discussion in good faith - these individuals gave their time freely, and in my case, meetings involved travel from Port Macquarie - nine hours of my time and its consequent expenses on a dozen or so occasions.
3. When it became obvious that the invited consultative group was unanimously opposed to the infliction of the Code on keepers as law, rather than best recommendations, the invited committee was entirely shut out of any further discussion on the matter. And I mean totally... we had to resort to FOI to get an idea of where the Dept was going with the Code of Practice. When bureaucrats resort to secretive means to achieve their goals, despite assurances or "transparency" and "consultation," we're in dangerous waters. It means they can basically do whatever they like and, with the ear of a compliant Minister, enshrine into law anything that takes their fancy, justified or not. In this case, the laws were not, and thus are not, justified.
The "stink" was at least as much about the process as it was about the outcome. From where I stand, no government office should impose any legislation which affects a particular group of people, without clear evidence that it is justified. This was never done, and it infringes the rights of keepers across the State.
Jamie
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On re-reading the last few pages I feel the need to comment. I was half way through constructing a post in response to that from delightfulpythons when longirostris beat me to. So I settled for a general statement that It is often difficult to know whether people are offering wisdom based on experience or jaded opinions due to past experience. I did not realise Pythoninfinite had posted before me. I now regret not having completed and posted my original response, which I have now done....
1. This first statment by delightful pythons could hardly be more negative. There is a chinese proveb that states... A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. This is a starting point and if DP read the entire thread then he would know that expansion into other areas has been discussed and taken on board. Irrespective, why take the negative attitude that "we have already shot ourselves in the foot". Why not take the positive stance of, OK, you have made a good start and to keep it going you need to expand by....."
2. Where does the statistic that "less than 1% of herpers frequent... forums" come from? What I do know is that a lot of people who aare otherwise uncontactable frequent forums. So with time, the word will be spread to other forums.
3. "Every one is an expert who knows better". That is absolutely not my personal experience with others on the forum. It does apply to a select few but as a generalisation I believe it to be straight-out incorrect.
4. The notion of a high court challenge has seen extremely varying cost quotes. Irrespective, it is may never be addressed due to the lack of certainty in winning due to the loop hole of it being utilised for wildlife, also a Commonwealth empowerment. No furthe comment.
5. Change does take years. As for it being redundant by that time I totally disagree. Sensible change is exactly that and better than no change, whenever it comes in. The fact that the herp scene has altered in that time has no effect on making progress in the governing regulations.
These were the suggested "starters" as to what to do....
1. Another derivise comment on "20 members off a forum not known for appreciating some of its most experienced members". I seriously have to wonder whether DP has the establishment of representative body at heart or is using the opportunity to criticize a forum he has personally fallen out with.
2. Yeah, great advice for 20 people - who may well be members of societies already, even though you are presuming they are not.
3."They need your support not 5 minute experts who keep a carpet python telling them they don't know what they are doing." Yet another another negative, jaded and entirely unnecessary qualification to what otherwise would have been a positive remark.
4. Great point!
5. "Less talk, more action." We are taking the first few tentative steps to determine if the suggested organisation is feasible, so that advice is premature.
What have the "cowboys" got to do with this?
You say "the reptile industry has the potential to be be business and with that we neglect the animals". The reptile hobby is already a big business. And on what basis do you make the statement about this resulting in neglecting animals and providing ammunition for the anti's. How does this contribute to assisting the establishment of a representative body?
Pythoninfinite, I am surprised you feel that the post provided by DP was acceptable and should be defended. I also noted that you were personally critical of Longirostris in his response. I have little doubt that he felt personally criticised, whether that be justified or not, but his response should have been assessed on its merits rather than any personal intonation, actual or inferred. As such, I believe he was well justified in most of the response comments that he passed.
His was definitely not an example of "bitchy infighting". Your comment about "develop a thicker skin" is one I have always found particularly offensive and thankfully is seldom used these days.
I did not see any loss of focus, just a justifiable problem with another person's post. Your knowing DP personally is likely to alter how you view what they wrote. Not knowing this person I responding to what I see written. We may need to agree to disagree on this on.
The bottom line is that people need to positive to help continue the forward momentum. Negative comments have a negative effect, such as its all too hard so what is the point. The point is that people can make it happen and the more who take that on board the more chance we have of reaching our ultimate goal.
Blue
Mike, you need to develop a thicker skin mate. Longirostris and I can discuss whatever we may need to without your summary assessments and judgements about what may or may not be implicit in what we write - you do this frequently and it is extremely irritating. I haven't bothered to re read my post to longirostris, but I certainly did not mean to "personalise" it. I'm sure that longirostris is a perfectly fine fellow/girl despite my challenge to what he/she said. I reserve the right to engage in any discussion with members here without your involvement or approval. Unlike you, most (probably all) of the respondents to this thread actually keep reptiles and speak from experience, rather than crawl the web looking for info. It brings into focus a comment I made earlier in this thread - face-to-face contact is far more productive than electronic exchange - you might find that bp has a lot to offer if you met him personally.
Any success that comes out of this discussion will be a result of robust exchange of ideas - we are all of the view that we need good advocacy, and we probably all have something to contribute.
Your own methods of managing debate here are authoritarian and very often patronising.
Jamie