Animal Care Australia watching out for reptiles and frogs!
Animal Care Australia (ACA) has members who represent reptile and amphibian keepers Reptile keeping in Australia is the fastest growing pet-keeping hobby. As backyards in new residential zones are disappearing, the ease of keeping reptiles and amphibians (collectively called ‘herps’) indoors with suitable enclosures has expanded society’s love for interacting with snakes, lizards, turtles and frogs.
Whilst in recent years the interest and desire to keep herps has expanded, it has also seen a strong animal rights and animal liberation movement push back against the keeping of any native animal. In particular skewed media reports have only portrayed reptile keepers as money-focused animal smugglers with low animal welfare consideration. The reality is far from this, with dramatic advancements in reptile and amphibian husbandry improving the welfare and well-being of captive herps significantly. With such a rapid expansion each State has developed standards and guidelines for keeping reptiles and amphibians which cover how to maintain them effectively and in line with animal welfare legislation.
Recently several States and Territories have commenced or are undergoing reviews of native animals licensing and welfare regulations. Member ACA organisations have participated in these reviews and have identified a strong push against the keeping of animals as pets. Extremist agendas have infiltrated Government regulators at most levels and created an institutionalised animal liberationist agenda.
ACA has been established to bring all animal hobbyists together to become one voice that can call out the ideology and anecdotal gibberish, and counter-reply with facts. Together we can protect the keeping of all pets for the generations of the future.
Joanne Payne is the current reptile and amphibian representative on the ACA committee. As a founding member of the Herpetocultural Cooperative NSW (HCN) which represents all of the Herpetocultural Societies of NSW, Joanne participated in the current licensing review undertaken by the Office of Environment and Heritage. Joanne is currently the President of the Illawarra Reptile Society and has been on the committee is some aspect, for 7 years.
Joanne has been the show coordinator for the Illawarra Reptile Show since 2013.
On a personal level, Joanne has been keeping reptiles since they first piqued her curiosity when her family emigrated from England in 1982, with her dad building multiple enclosures in their garage to feed her passion. She has been actively breeding reptiles for the past 12 years but now chooses to focus on conservation and education.
We encourage all private reptile and amphibian keepers along with Clubs and Societies to join ACA. As a member of ACA you agree to support maintaining high welfare standards and abide by the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Reptiles in your state/territory.
For more information please contact Joanne or join ACA:
