Responsible Reptile,Amphibian Keeping and Environmental Stewardship

The Pet Leadership Council embraces the responsibility to ensure the health and welfare of reptiles and amphibians, promote environmental stewardship, and provide education and training on the responsible care and husbandry of herptiles.

• Providing education and care information to empower consumers in choosing the right reptile or amphibian as a pet for their family.

• Protecting the well-being of animals by developing industry-driven best management practices for the captive breeding and rearing of reptiles and amphibians.

• Providing opportunities to engage in responsible trade of reptiles and amphibians through development and promotion of best practices for Expos and Trade Shows.

• Protecting public health through dissemination of information on preventing zoonotic diseases.

Vin RussoCutting Edge Herpetological, Inc.

“Captive breeding of reptiles in particular is the Noah’s Ark of the future. With these best management practices in place we can keep and sustain captive populations of reptiles indefinitely. And without ever having to go back into the wild again to fulfill the needs of the reptile pet industry.”

David DieterZoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

“There is incredible power behind the use of sound science, the implementation of best management practices and industry wide educational efforts to promote conservation, dispel misperceptions and mitigate any environmental or public health concerns about reptile and amphibian keeping.”

The Pet Industry Supports

Industry Wide Backing

• Addressing public misperceptions about the risks associated with reptile and amphibian keeping through educational efforts and sound science on environmental and public health concerns.

• Standards for responsible and sustainable collection of wild reptiles and amphibians.

• Conservation of wild herptile populations across the globe through the promotion of captive breeding of imperiled species and responsible environmental stewardship practices including the importance of not releasing non-native species.

For more information, please contact Joshua Jones, josh@pijac.org or call him at (202) 452-1525, ext. 1040

The PLC encourages the entire reptile and amphibian industry to take the necessary steps to ensure animal well-being, promote environmental stewardship and provide education and training on responsible herptile keeping.

John MackReptiles by Mack

“Reptiles and amphibians are now firmly established as a safe, popular pet option thanks to the efforts of many with an unwavering passion and respect for these animals and for the industry. Now that the foundation has been laid, it is our collective responsibility to advance best practices and standards for husbandry, so these amazing animals will thrive in captivity and bring joy to their new families without threatening wild populations.”

National Reptile Improvement Plan (NRIP) is the result of a coordinated effort among concerned experts in the reptile and amphibian trade and hobby, the USDA, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and PIJAC. The plan works in cooperation with, and under the guidance of, USDA APHIS-Veterinary Services and appropriate state authorities.

Following NRIP’s success, the industry has adopted the Tick Interception Protocol—a set of specific practices for both U.S. reptile importers and foreign exporters to prevent the importation of certain tick species from Africa and South America. The PLC embraces the responsibility to protect America’s cattle industry through voluntary measures to prevent the introduction of Heartwater Disease via imported reptiles.

Ivan AlfonsoDoctor of Veterinary Medicine

"By continuously educating owners (both new and established), reptiles will have healthier and longer lives and this in turn helps other people understand and admire these creatures instead of fearing them. By providing proper health guidelines for reptiles and amphibians we are assuring their well-being and their presence for generations to come while sending the message that we are willing to do anything to keep our pets happy and healthy."

Bob AshleyNorth American Reptile Breeders Conference

"Any one person, let alone an entire industry, that has the honor and opportunity to work with reptiles and amphibians has an inherent responsibility and duty to not only take care of each species’ needs, but to also care for them in a way that protects the environment and each species through conservation."

NRIP & Tick Interception Protocol

Partnering with experts in the field, the pet industry has developed the Reptile & Amphibian Expo Best Management Practices (BMP) which is applicable to show promoters, vendors, and staff. The BMP addresses issues surrounding feeder animals, venomous species, and other practices common to reptile and amphibian expos.

Reptile & Amphibian Expo BMP

Environmental stewardship is critical to help preserve the sustainability of reptile and amphibian life. Habitattitude™ encourages you to adopt a conservation mentality and protect our environment by not releasing unwanted pets into the environment. New web content with specific information for reptiles and amphibians is under development and will be added to Habitattitude™ website in the near future.

Habitattitude™

The PLC encourages the entire reptile and amphibian industry to take the necessary steps to ensure animal

importation of certain tick species from Africa and South America. The PLC embraces the responsibility to protect America’s cattle industry through voluntary measures to prevent the introduction of Heartwater Disease via imported

Partnering with experts in the field, the pet

Amphibian Expo Best Management Practices (BMP) which is applicable to show promoters, vendors, and staff. The BMP addresses issues surrounding feeder animals, venomous species, and other practices common to reptile and

Reptile & Amphibian Expo BMP