PIJAC Poised for Growth - Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council

4 PIJAC 

6 LEGISLATIVE 

WHAT’S INSIDE 

& HERPS: 

UPDATES 

& 

REGULATORY NEWS 

8 EDUCATION/ 

CERTIFICATION NEWS 

PIJAC Poised for Growth 

for the past several years, PIJAC’s 

Board of Directors has been 

working on a strategic plan for 

the Council’s growth and future, 

including a transition of leadership. 

After 40 years of service to PIJAC 

and the pet industry, and with the lease 

ending at PIJAC’s current offices in his law 

firm, our Executive Vice President/General 

Counsel Marshall Meyers will begin reducing 

his workload and time commitment 

to PIJAC in 2010. This timing prompted 

the Board to formalize a four-year growth 

plan to ensure PIJAC’s ongoing independence 

and continuity. The plan is designed 

for PIJAC to continue fulfilling its mission 

of promoting responsible pet ownership, 

fostering environmental stewardship, and 

ensuring the availability of pets. 

In developing the plan, the Board 

assessed how to reinforce PIJAC’s position 

as the primary pet industry association 

dealing with live animal issues. This lead 

DID yoU NoTICE? 

PIJAC is testing a new tag line – Protecting Pets & the 

Pet Industry. 

What do you think? We want to hear from you. You can: 

n Go to www.pijac.org and fill out an 

online survey. 

n Send an email to Members@pijac.org 

Your opinion is important to us – 

thanks in advance 

for your input! 

PROTECTING PETS AND THE PET INDUSTRY 

PUBLISHED BY THE PET INDUSTRY JOINT ADVISORY COUNCIL • SUMMER 2008 • VOLUME 29 • NUMBER 2 

to the creation of a new staff position: a 

President who will train under Mr. Meyers 

for at least a year and eventually succeed 

Mr. Meyers, leading PIJAC into our next 

era. The plan also includes the expansion 

of key components to increase PIJAC’s 

capacity for handling an ever-increasing 

workload. 

The proposed timeline starts with the 

hiring of the President, who will be charged 

with two top priorities. The first is further 

expanding PIJAC’s funding and membership 

so additional staff can be hired, initially 

in Government Affairs, and then in 

other program areas. The second is relocating 

PIJAC to its own offices by the time 

the current lease ends in spring of 2010. 

To ensure stability during this transition 

period, the American Pet Products Manufacturers 

Association (APPMA), the Pet 

Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) 

and the World Wide Pet Industry Association 

(WWPIA) have each committed to 

PIJAC: WorkING for yoU 

We Go Where you Can't! 

The pet industry is a busy one! There are 

constantly meetings, conferences, conventions, 

symposia, hearings – the list goes 

on and on – that deal with issues important to 

our industry. PIJAC represents our industry 

at many of these events to ensure pets and 

the pet industry are protected. Here is a just a 

sample of the places PIJAC’s team has been in 

the last few months 

January 15 & 16: Marshall Meyers and 

Michael Maddox attended a Pennsylvania Dog 

Law Advisory Board meeting in Harrisburg, PA. 

continued on page 5 

help fund the new President’s position for 

three years. 

The Government Affairs staff is slated 

to grow over three to four years with the 

addition of two to three junior Government 

Affairs Specialists. Each specialist, 

based in PIJAC’s Washington, DC offices, 

will be responsible for one region of the 

country. This will allow the specialists to 

cultivate closer relationships with members 

of our industry as well as legislators and 

regulators, helping increase PIJAC’s presence 

and enrich our work at the state and 

local levels. As funding becomes available, 

more staff will be brought on to support 

PIJAC’s other programs and initiatives. 

Long-term goals are to substantially 

increase PIJAC’s membership, non-dues 

income, and involvement in the Council by 

industry leaders. An additional key objective 

is expanding and enriching projects 

and programs such as HabitattitudeTM , the 

continued on page 2

PIJAC Poised for Growth 

continued from page 1 

Bd-Free ‘Phibs campaign, the Practice Safe 

RHEX campaign, and the National Reptile 

Improvement Plan through grants and special 

contributions. 

JDG Associates has been retained to conduct 

an executive search for the President. 

The search committee includes PIJAC’s 

Executive Committee - Elwyn Segrest 

(Segrest Farms), Frank Koch (Natural Balance), 

Ruth Jeffers (JeffersPet – represent- 

recent years have seen an increasing number 

of efforts to include provisions in the 

Farm Bill that have the potential for impacting 

the pet trade, usually not in a favorable 

way. PIJAC has generally been successful 

in quashing these initiatives, and that was 

the case again with this year’s Farm Bill (the 

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008). 

Two amendments threatening separate segments 

of the pet trade were tacked onto the 

Senate version of the bill. The first barred 

puppy imports and the second could have 

shut down much of the reptile trade. 

The ban on puppy imports was only a 

part of a larger bill that had been initiated in 

the last Congress (Pet Animal Welfare Act), 

against which PIJAC testified before a Senate 

subcommittee. In bringing these proposals 

back again, Senator Richard Durbin 

(D-IL) chose the Farm Bill as a vehicle, 

rather than seeking passage in stand-alone 

legislation. PIJAC was involved in negotiations 

on the proposal prior to its submission 

and, while opposing the import ban 

as a matter of principle, was particularly 

concerned about the impact it would have 

on the state of Hawaii, which imports the 

majority of the puppies pet stores sell there. 

Of various provisions coming out of the 

PAWS process that were sought by Senator 

Durbin, including a mechanism for thirdparty 

inspections under the Animal Welfare 

Act, only the import restrictions survived. 

Because puppies are generally not imported 

for pet store sale in the United States, 

the practical implication of this restriction 

was limited. The exception, however, is in 

Hawaii which, because it is a rabies-free 

state, is barred by law from bringing pup- 

ing WWPIA), and Jeff Sutherland (Central 

Pet) – as well as Joel Adamson (Seargent’s 

– representing APPMA), Roger Lambert 

(Lambriar), Jim Heim (Central Garden and 

Pet), and Bill Brant (Gourmet Rodent). 

In a letter to PIJAC’s membership 

announcing the launch of the search, Mr. 

Segrest noted, “PIJAC has kept us all in 

business for almost 40 years. The new 

PIJAC will continue this and grow, as 

our industry needs. Your Board is implementing 

a plan to carry PIJAC forward for 

PIJAC successfully Protects Pet Industry from 

farm Bill Amendments 

pies in from anywhere in the continental 

United States. 

As a result, Hawaii pet stores are compelled 

to import their puppies from other jurisdictions 

that are also certified as rabies-free. A 

general ban against imports of puppies under 

6 months of age (which is what the Durbin 

amendment provides) would have virtually 

shut down the sale of pet store puppies in the 

state, even thought the ostensible purpose of 

the amendment isn’t even served by Hawaii 

imports. As a result of PIJAC’s extensive negotiations 

with Senator Durbin, as well as intensive 

lobbying of members of Congress, an 

exemption for Hawaii imports was developed 

and inserted into the bill. This exemption survived 

the conference committee, and the ban 

in the final bill does not apply to the “lawful 

importation of a dog into the state of Hawaii 

from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or 

New Zealand in compliance with the applicable 

regulations of the State of Hawaii and 

the other requirements of this section.” 

Another Farm Bill initiative, intended to 

facilitate a repeal of the ban on selling turtles 

under 4 inches in carapace length, was crafted 

in such a way that it would likely have 

brought about a prohibition on the sale of 

myriad reptile species while doing nothing to 

legalize turtle sales. This amendment, mandating 

a determination as to the “prevalence 

of salmonella in each species of reptile and 

amphibian sold legally as a pet in the United 

States” would have had the effect of creating 

a ban on countless species. Indeed, had the 

measure passed in the final version of the 

Farm Bill, the Food and Drug Administration 

may have been required by law to ban the 

sale of virtually every pet reptile species in 

another 40 years. And the first, critical 

step is to put a person in place to lead the 

charge into PIJAC’s next era while respecting 

PIJAC’s rich history.” 

Announcements were also sent to members 

of the trade press, partner associations, 

and were posted on PIJAC’s website. 

Please visit www.pijac.org to read the 

press release and position announcement. 

Updates regarding the progress of the 

search will be posted on PIJAC’s website as 

information becomes available.n 

the country. PIJAC was successful in having 

this amendment stricken from the conference 

report, and it was not part of the final version 

of the bill passed by Congress. 

Because of his opposition to certain provisions 

of the Farm Bill, President Bush vetoed 

that legislation. But with majorities of 316 to 

108 in the House of Representatives and 82 

to 13 in the Senate, that veto was easily overridden 

and the measure enacted into law. n 

Meyers Testifies 

on the Nonnative 

Wildlife Invasion 

Prevention Act 

Del. Madeleine Z. Borallo (D-Guam) 

introduced the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion 

Prevention Act (H.R. 6311) in the U.S. 

House of Representatives on June 19. The 

bill as it’s written has major implications for 

the pet industry. 

The bill calls for creating approved 

(“clean list”) and prohibited (“black list”) 

lists of non-native species, which has the 

potential to shut down any industry dealing 

with non-native species. It also sets the 

stage for more legislation aimed at limiting 

the trade of non-native species. With 

the likely addition of amendments, PIJAC 

anticipates there will be additional meetings 

and hearings surrounding this complex 

issue. This debate will continue into the 

next session of Congress. 

PIJAC’s Executive Vice President/General 

Counsel Marshall Meyers testified on 

behalf of the pet industry at a hearing of 

the House Natural Resources Committee, 

Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and 

Oceans. The only other witnesses repre- 

2 PetLetter/Summer 2008

Pet Trade Pathway Toolkit: A Call 

for Contributors & sponsors 

Invasive species (harmful non-native organisms) are one of the 

major threats to native wildlife and habitats. The pet/aquaria 

trade has been identified as a substantial source of potentially 

invasive species; escaped or released pets and aquaria species can 

predate upon, compete with, or spread diseases and parasites to 

native wildlife. Aquaria dumping and water gardening can also be 

sources of invasive plants. The greatest risks of deliberate release 

of unwanted pets and aquaria species are likely associated with: 

n Consumers (pet owners, rather than commercial operations); 

n Non-regulated direct sales – such as sales through the internet 

and newspapers, hobbyist shows, flea markets, etc; 

n Pets that are free or inexpensive; 

n Species which grow large, reproduce easily and in large numbers 

in captivity, have specialized dietary or other husbandry 

requirements, and have aggressive temperaments; 

and 

n Species ecologically suited to the geographic 

region in which they are maintained 

as pets. 

In order to minimize the invasion risk of the 

“pet/aquaria trade pathway,” member countries 

of the Convention on Biological Diversity 

(CBD) recently adopted a decision (May 2008) 

to collate case studies of best management 

practices that industries, governments, and 

others are taking to prevent the release, escape, 

and establishment of former pets and aquaria 

species. The CBD explicitly recognized PIJAC 

and the Global Invasive Species Programme 

(GISP) as leaders in this process. Thus, the two 

organizations are now working together to 

develop a toolkit of regulatory and non-regulatory 

measures to minimize the introduction 

of animals, plants, pathogens, and parasites via 

the “pet/aquaria trade pathway.” 

Photo by Jamie K. ReaseR 

sented the Department of Interior and a 

number of state agencies. 

Marshall noted the pet industry’s ongoing 

concerns about invasive species, and 

called attention to the industry’s long history 

of proactively addressing the issue. His 

testimony focused on the bill’s oversimplified 

approach to a very complex problem 

and recommended more funding support 

and utilizing tools already in place. He 

also warned of the risk of slipping into a 

crisis mentality when dealing with invasive 

issues. Marshall closed his testimony by 

offering to work with the Subcommittee 

“in crafting more realistic legislation that 

will serve the public and affected industry 

alike….” Please see the Legislative & Regulatory 

News section on page 6 for more 

details of the bill and PIJAC’s testimony. 

A PIJAC PetAlert summarizing the 

issue, its possible impact, and recommended 

action has been distributed, and can 

be found on the Breaking News page at 

www.pijac.org. Marshall’s testimony can 

be found in the Government Affairs section 

of www.pijac.org under Testimony. If 

you have questions or concerns regarding 

this bill, please contact Marshall by e-mail 

(mmeyers@pijac.org) or by phone (202- 

452-1525). n 

The final product will be modeled after the comprehensive 

GISP Toolkit (Invasive Alien Species: A Toolkit for Best Prevention 

and Management Practices; www.gisp.org) and made available 

in multiple formats: executive summary (PDF and print) 

and as a complete publication (PDF and print-on-demand). 

Examples of case studies are available at http://www.pijac.org 

(click on Invasives Toolkit). 

At this time, PIJAC is seeking: 

n Additional case studies of relevant regulatory and non-regulatory 

measures from around the world. 

n Financial sponsors to assist in the development, design, and 

distribution of the toolkit. All sponsors will be acknowledged in 

the publication by name and logo. 

The budget for the project is approximately $75,000. PIJAC 

is pleased to announce that the first co-sponsor, PIJAC Canada, 

had donated $5,000. 

For further information or to contribute to the project, contact: 

Dr. Jamie K. Reaser, PIJAC Senior Science and Policy 

Advisor: pijacscience@nelsoncable.com. n 

Burmese pythons, such as this one, have become established in the Florida Everglades. 

PetLetter/Summer 2008 3

PIJAC and Herps: 

UPDATEs 

BD-FREE ‘PHIBS 

since the campaign was launched in 

November 2007, the primary focus has 

been on fundraising. PIJAC has received a 

pledge of $6,000 from the Pet Care Trust to 

develop a website and associated campaign 

materials for the Bd-Free ‘Phibs campaign. 

An additional $480.00 was contributed by 

REPTILES Magazine in exchange for an 

article written on the amphibian pathogen 

and the campaign (see: http://www. 

reptilechannel.com/reptile-magazines/reptiles-magazine/may-2008/under-fire.aspx). 

APPMA will trademark the campaign logo 

as an in-kind contribution. Information on 

the campaign is currently available on the 

PIJAC website at: www.pijac.org (click on 

Bd-Free ‘Phibs). 

NoTICE of INqUIry oN BoAs, 

PyTHoNs, AND ANACoNDAs 

In January the US Fish and Wildlife Service 

released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) 

through the Federal Register, calling for 

biological and socio-economic data on three 

genera of large constrictors: Boas, Pythons, 

and Eunectes (Anaconda). The NOI was a 

direct response to a petition by the Florida 

South Water Management District to list 

the Burmese python as injurious wildlife 

under the Lacey Act. Between the time the 

NOI was released and responses were due 

(April 30th), PIJAC worked closely with the 

reptile and amphibian community to: 1) 

clarify the purpose of an NOI (as opposed to 

a proposed rule); 2) encourage constructive 

responses to the NOI by snake breeders, 

dealers, and keepers; and 3) solicit relevant 

information for PIJAC’s use in preparing its 

submission. REPTILES Magazine published 

an interview between Marshall Meyers and 

USFWS staff, PIJAC Members (Thanks Bob 

Ashley and Brian Potter!) hosted a listening 

session for snake breeders/retailers and 

keepers in Chicago, and ReptilesTV pub- 

lished an on-line video including interviews 

with Bill Brant and Jamie Reaser. PIJAC is 

working on scientific publications relevant 

to the NOI and will continue to interface 

with the USFWS as they review the information 

they have already received. For a 

copy of PIJAC’s submission, visit the PIJAC 

website and click on “Herp Info.” 

HABITATTITUDE 

P IJAC 

recently launched a new component 

to the Habitattitude campaign 

– with a focus on reptiles and amphibians. 

The new logo is available for viewing 

at www.pijac.org (click on Habitattitude). 

After aquatic animals and plants, reptiles 

and amphibians (and their parasites and 

pathogens) pose the greatest risk of becoming 

invasive species in the US (especially 

southern states) through the pet trade 

pathway. PIJAC anticipates that these 

taxonomic groups will be coming under 

more regulatory scrutiny in the future. 

The Habitattitude and Bd-Free ‘Phibs campaigns 

provide a means for reducing the 

unwanted pet releases and encouraging 

policy makers to find non-regulatory solutions 

where feasible. On June 3rd, Marshall 

Meyers and Jamie Reaser met with 

high level Department of Interior staff to 

initiate the process of establishing a PIJAC- 

DOI Memorandum of Understanding on 

the campaign, as well as opportunities for 

a formal “herp component” launch later 

this year. 

NATIoNAL rEPTILE IMProvEMENT PLAN 

(NrIP) 

on June 3rd and 4th, PIJAC hosted a 

working group of experts from the 

reptile and amphibian trade and veterinary 

medicine to review NRIP with a view 

toward making it more: 1) applicable to 

hobbyists as well as commercial enterprises, 

2) user friendly, 3) comprehensive (while 

maintaining a focus on health and safety 

issues), and 4) timely (in terms of technical 

updates and regulatory concerns). The 

group was extremely productive and will 

be working closely with PIJAC to ensure 

the program’s success through greater visibility, 

credibility, and inclusiveness. PIJAC 

hopes to have a revised version of the Plan 

available by the end of the summer for 

review and comment by PIJAC’s Governmental 

Affairs Committee and the initial 

group of people who worked on the original 

NRIP document.n 

WWPIA steps Up to 

support PIJAC 

P IJAC has been representing the pet 

industry on live animal issues for 

almost 40 years, relying heavily on membership 

dues to keep the organization 

going. A lot has 

happened in 40 

years, and membership 

numbers have 

reflected changes 

in our industry. 

To bolster PIJAC’s 

membership and 

financial support, 

the World Wide Pet Industry Association 

(WWPIA) has launched a “Membership 

Match” program. Through the program, 

WWPIA will match each new PIJAC membership 

with a financial contribution made 

on behalf of the new member. Through 

the first quarter of 2008, WWPIA donated 

$12,000 to match 92 new PIJAC members. 

“As an avid supporter of PIJAC, the 

Board of Directors of the World Wide Pet 

Industry Association, Inc. unanimously 

voted that the organization needed 

greater support from the industry,” stated 

Doug Poindexter, President of WWPIA. 

“PIJAC’s efforts are vital to our trade and 

require support from both manufacturers 

and retailers to remain a leader in representing 

the interests of animal welfare. 

Our “Membership Match” program was 

created to enhance WWPIA’s longstanding 

financial commitment to the organization 

while also providing a platform designed 

to increase the PIJAC membership base.” 

PIJAC’s Marshall Meyers added, “This 

is another example of WWPIA’s long-term 

and significant support of the important 

role PIJAC plays in our industry.” 

In addition to the matching program, 

WWPIA has increased their own annual 

dues to PIJAC by 15% and has committed 

to an additional contribution of 

$50,000 per year for three years to support 

the Director of Membership position 

and membership development programs. 

PIJAC thanks WWPIA for initiating 

the “Membership Match” program, and 

for their unceasing support.n 


We Go Where you Can't! 

continued from page 1 

January 17: Michael attended a meeting 

on Capitol Hill in Sen. Richard Durbin's 

(D-Illinois) office on legislation to amend 

the Animal Welfare Act. 

February 17-22: Jamie Reaser and Marshall 

attended a meeting of the Subsidiary 

Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological 

Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention 

on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome. 

February 25: Marshall met with representatives 

from Homeland Security to discuss 

invasive species concerns. 

February 27 & 28: Marshall participated 

in a meeting in Austin, TX hosted by 

the ASPCA regarding puppies and shelter 

issues. 

February 29: Marshall participated in 

a web conference panel, hosted by Kingsnake.com, 

to discuss the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Notice of Inquiry (NOI) regarding 

large constrictors. 

March 2-6: Marshall participated in a 

live animal transport meeting of the International 

Air Transport Association (IATA) 

at the World Cargo Symposium in Rome, 

Italy. 

March 20: Michael testified at a hearing 

about proposed mandatory spay-neuter 

legislation in Annapolis, MD. 

March 25: Jamie and Marshall participated 

in conference calls involving the 

Department of Interior regarding gathering 

information on large constrictors for the 

NOI. 

March 31–April 2: Marshall was in 

London for the IATA Live Animals and Perishables 

Board meeting to review changes 

to shipping standards. 

April 3 & 4: Michael attended a meeting 

in New Holland, PA on Dog Law rulemaking. 

April 9-11: Jamie was at the University 

of Notre Dame for an experts workshop on 

the pre-screening of live animal imports. 

Hosted by the CBD, among others. 

April 19-25: Marshall attended the 

CITES (Convention on International Trade 

in Endangered Species) Animals Committee 

meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. 

April 28: Marshall met with Senator Bill 

Nelson’s office (D-Florida) to discuss invasive 

species and constrictor issues. 

May 12 & 13: Michael met with legislators 

in Albany, NY on multiple bills, including 

legislation to ban "puppy mills". 

May 18-27: Jamie and Marshall attended 

the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 

9th Conference of the Parties, Bonn, Germany. 

Please see the "Pet Trade Pathway 

Toolkit" article on page 3. 

May 22-25: Marshall and Jamie attended 

Interzoo, Nuremburg, Germany. Marshall 

received the Ornamental Fish International 

Award 2008 for his 38 years of service to 

the pet industry. 

June 3: Jamie and Marshall met with 

Paul Hoffman, an Assistant Secretary at 

the Department of the Interior to discuss 

enhancing the implementation of Habitattitude. 

June 3 & 4: Two-day meeting at PIJAC’s 

office with members of the herp community 

to review the National Reptile 

Improvement Plan (NRIP) and make recommendations 

to more widely implement 

the plan. 

June 4: Marshall, accompanied by PIJAC 

members Collette and Dan Sutherland and 

Eugene Bessette, met with staff from the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss 

export permits for CITES Appendix 2 captive-bred 

wildlife. 

June 10 & 11: Jamie participated in 

a Great Lakes Commission workshop on 

potentially invasive organisms in trade in 

Detroit, Michigan 

June 11: Marshall met with representatives 

from USFWS and a local university 

professor to plan meetings to discuss 

Habitattitude and other green marketing 

opportunities with major retailers. 

June 12: Marshall participated in an 

Albany meeting of the New York Invasive 

Species Council. Marshall has been 

appointed to a team formed to review data 

and work on producing lists of prohibited 

and non-regulated species. 

June 17 & 18: Michael attended a hearing 

in Harrisburg, PA on Dog Law legislation. 

June 18: Marshall met with USFWS 

about how to improve marketing of Habitattitude. 

June 18 & 19: Jamie participated in 

a workshop in Marathon Key, Florida 

on establishing an early detection/rapid 

response program for marine ornamentals 

in Florida. Co-sponsored by the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA), US Geological Survey (USGS), 

and The Reef Environmental Education 

Foundation (REEF). 

June 20: Jamie and Marshall, joined by 

PIJAC Board Member Bill Brant and PIJAC 

member Eugene Bessette, met with senior 

park service staff at Everglades National 

Park to discuss the issue of Burmese 

pythons in the Everglades. 

June 26: Marshall was the only nongovernmental 

witness testifying in front of 

the House Natural Resources Subcommittee 

on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans about 

the proposed Nonnative Wildlife Invasion 

Prevention Act. 

July 2: Marshall met with Senior USFWS 

official regarding Habitattitude as well as 

his June 26 testimony. 

July 7 & 8: Marshall hosted a meeting 

in San Diego to develop pet store guidelines 

required under the new California Pet 

Store Animal Care act that becomes effective 

January 1, 2009. 

July 10: Marshall, Jamie, Bill Brant, and 

several PIJAC members met with the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding 

the threat of ticks coming into the U.S. 

with imported animals. 

July 13-16: Jamie represented PIJAC at 

the Society for Conservation Biology annual 

meeting in Chattanooga, TN. n 

PIJAC receives 

Proceeds from 

Golf Tournament 

T he 4th Allan L. Levey Golf Tournament, 

to benefit PIJAC, was 

held at Torrey Pines South Golf 

Course in conjunction with Global 

Pet Expo. 152 golfers participated, 

resulting in almost $43,000 for 

PIJAC. Thanks to all who participated 

in this great event! 

And mark your calendar for next 

year – the 5th Allan L. Levey Golf 

Tournament will be held on Wednesday, 

February 11, 2009 at the Champions 

Gate Golf Club in Orlando.n 


Legislative & regulatory News 

fEDErAL NEWs 

Congress. In late June PIJAC testified before 

a subcommittee of the House Committee 

on Natural Resources in opposition to HR 

6311. The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion 

Prevention Act is intended to address real 

concerns about species imported into the 

US that then have the potential to threaten 

native ecosystems if released into the wild. 

The manner in which this bill is crafted, 

however, would result in an outright ban of 

all nonnative species unless and until they 

are shown not to have invasive potential. 

PIJAC noted that this was the resurrection 

of a failed approach initiated three decades 

ago when PIJAC successfully battled to stop 

implementation of a “low risk” wildlife list. 

The testimony further emphasized that the 

US Fish and Wildlife Service would be confronted 

with an impossible task of conducting 

“risk assessments on more than 10,000 

species currently in trade, many of which are 

not even scientifically identified to the species 

level let alone extensively studied” and 

the law would, pending completion of such 

assessments, “shut down a number of industries 

dependent upon nonnative species.” 

PIJAC urged the subcommittee to take 

into consideration the findings and recommendations 

of the National Invasive 

Species Management Plan and the Aquatic 

Nuisance Species Task Force, which, 

among other things, relied heavily on the 

input of stakeholder groups to develop 

a rational system for addressing imports. 

Any such rational process, PIJAC testified, 

must ensure that screening or risk 

analysis is “carefully constructed to ensure 

that the analysis is science-based, credible, 

transparent, involves stakeholders, and 

evaluates and promotes viable management 

policies.” This analysis must also take 

into account socio-economic and other 

benefits as well as harm. The proposed 

legislation doesn’t do that, argued PIJAC, 

and should be redrafted to take a more 

practical and effective approach to dealing 

with potential invasive species that 

won’t unnecessarily harm significant sectors 

of the economy. Saying that “the bill 

assigns such an impossible task to an agency 

woefully bereft of resources for the job, 

and holds hostage several vital sectors of 

a challenged economy,” PIJAC concluded 

that “the bill as currently crafted sets the 

USFWS up for failure [and] would not 

visit upon the public the beneficial results 

to which it aspires.” The testimony called 

instead for creation of a working group 

involving various stakeholders whose recommendations 

could result in feasible legislation. 

There is no scheduled action for 

the bill at this time. 

UsDA. A proposed rulemaking by USDA 

would amend Animal Welfare Act regulations 

to incorporate a minimum age 

requirement for transport of all animals 

covered by the act (except birds). Currently 

the regulations place an age restriction on 

certain animals, such as dogs and cats, but 

there is no all-encompassing rule. Although 

the rule is being justified as ensuring that 

animals are properly weaned prior to transport, 

the minimum eight-week restriction 

proposed by the Department would mean 

that the time restriction would exceed the 

normal weaning age for a number of species 

covered under the act. Limited exemptions 

would apply for transport to research 

facilities for specified purposes, and for 

unweaned animals transported with their 

mother for routine medical care. The agency 

“speculates” that the proposed rule would 

have negligible economic impact on dealers 

and breeders, notwithstanding the fact that 

breeders would be compelled to keep some 

animals well past the time when they could 

otherwise be shipped without risk to their 

health. The Department set a deadline of 

July 8, 2008 for submission of comments 

from the public in response to the proposal. 

PIJAC submitted testimony on behalf of the 

pet industry. 

sTATE NEWs 

California. Legislation that would mandate 

the spaying or neutering of dogs and 

cats was again amended, producing a 9th 

iteration of the bill since its initial introduction. 

AB 1634 no longer establishes a general 

requirement to sterilize pets, but 

does include mandatory sterilization 

for dogs or cats that have been 

impounded or received complaints 

on multiple occasions. 

The current version 

provides fines for owners 

of impounded unspayed/unneutered dogs 

and cats, as well as provisions that would 

compel sterilization of the animal under 

specified circumstances, which could include 

unsubstantiated complaints. And there is 

no opportunity to have a hearing or otherwise 

challenge the outcome. Due process 

is not part of the process. PIJAC opposed 

the mandatory sterilization requirements of 

earlier versions of the bill, but still has concerns 

about due process deficiencies of the 

amended bill, which was heard at a June 

25th hearing before the Senate Committee 

on Local Government. The Local Government 

Committee passed the bill, and it was 

re-referred to the Senate Appropriations 

Committee on July 1. The bill passed the 

Senate Appropriations Committee on July 

14th and is on its second reading in the Senate. 

Please check the Breaking News page at 

www.pijac.org for updates. 

California Senate Bill 986 amends the 

California Pet Store Animal Care Act 

by clarifying the definition of “pet store” as 

well as euthanasia of feeder animals. The 

bill is currently in the Assembly, where it 

is going through its third reading. It will 

most likely be voted on in the Assembly, 

and then sent back to the Senate for concurrence 

in the Assembly amendments. 

Updates will be posted on the Breaking 

News page at www.pijac.org. 

Colorado. A bill that would have allowed 

for both economic and noneconomic damages 

for the “loss of companionship” of a companion 

animal, with a $25,000 cap on recovery, 

was stripped of those offending provisions 

before being passed into law. An 

early version of HB 1308 found 

that “harm to companion or 

assistance animals is an increasing 

problem for Colorado pet owners” and 

that “current laws do not adequately address 

the recovery of damages for harm caused” to 

companion animals. PIJAC opposes noneconomic 

damages for pets because such damages 

typically aren’t even available in wrongful 

death for people, and establishment of this 

type of damage award in law would substantially 

increase the cost of veterinary care and 

pet products for all pet owners. 

Georgia. Proposed pet warranty legislation 

died in the House Committee on Agriculture 

and Consumer Affairs. HB 1194 


would have imposed requirements on any 

person importing pet dogs or cats into the 

state for resale, and provided remedies to 

buyers of a dog or cat that is certified 

by a veterinarian to be unfit 

for purchase. Consumers would 

have access to remedies similar 

to those found in other state pet 

warranty laws, including a choice 

of either returning the animal for a refund 

and reimbursement of veterinary costs 

related to the veterinarian's certification, 

exchanging the animal and reimbursement 

of veterinary costs, or keeping the animal 

and receiving reimbursement for veterinary 

costs of treatment. 

Hawaii. The Governor signed SB 3203, 

which makes a person guilty of “animal 

hoarding” if he or she possesses more than 

20 dogs and/or cats at a time and fails to 

provide necessary sustenance for 

each dog or cat, as well as failing 

to “correct the conditions 

under which the 

dogs or cats are living” 

where these conditions 

are injurious to 

the health of the dogs, cats, or owner. By 

couching legislation in terms of the number 

of animals owned, the act could motivate 

allegations of “hoarding” against pet stores. 

Massachusetts. Legislation to which PIJAC 

testified in opposition earlier this year was 

favorably reported by the Joint Community 

Development and Small Business Committee 

without amendments. HB 147 would 

mandate that “every person engaged in the 

business of operating a 

pet shop and selling pet 

animals [must] display 

and provide free basic 

care information on all 

birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and 

fish sold on the premises.” While California 

has in effect a statute with a similar mandate, 

the way that law requires information to 

be provided is substantially different. Under 

this proposal, pet stores could be subject to 

liability for providing care information when 

they have no control over the content of the 

information, and may even deem it to be 

inaccurate. HB 147 provides that the Massachusetts 

Board of Registration in Veterinary 

Medicine shall develop the care information, 

and no opportunity for input from pet stores 

is permitted in the bill. The measure was sent 

to the House Committee on Ways and Means 

but has not yet been set for a hearing. 

Pennsylvania. In June PIJAC submitted 

testimony before the House Committee on 

Agriculture and Rural Affairs on House Bill 

2525. This legislation, 

proposed by the Rendell 

administration, has 

incorporated many of 

the provisions that were 

initially in a Department 

of Agriculture proposed regulation. That 

proposed rulemaking was withdrawn in the 

face of thousands of comments received by 

the department, many expressing opposition 

to numerous different sections of the 

proposal. PIJAC and others in the pet trade 

have been working with the department 

to resolve problems with the original proposal, 

and many changes were made prior 

to introduction of HB 2525. Since that time, 

additional amendments have been made 

to the bill. Provisions that would have had 

a severe adverse impact on pet stores have 

been remedied, as have some others. However, 

because problems with the bill remain, 

PIJAC was compelled to offer qualified 

opposition in its testimony. The Committee 

reported the bill, and it was sent to the 

Committee on Rules. PIJAC has submitted 

a number of further proposed amendments. 

As of this writing, the committee has not yet 

acted on the bill. 

virginia. The legislature 

passed, and the Governor 

signed, a bill that limits 

the number of dogs 

a commercial breeder 

may maintain. HB 

538 defines a commercial dog breeder as 

any person who maintains 30 or more adult 

female dogs for the “primary purpose” of 

selling their offspring as companion animals. 

Such persons may not maintain more than 

50 dogs over the age of one year for breeding 

purposes, and must comply with various 

other provisions, including new recordkeeping 

requirements. 

Also passing into law this session was HB 

1331, which amended many sections of 

existing statutes effecting pet owners, breeders 

and pet stores as well as those who sell 

commercial feed. Among these are provisions 

covering animal care (such as housing, 

feeding, watering and exercise of pets), the 

pet warranty law covering persons buying 

dogs from pet retailers, requirements 

for boarding establishments, animal cruelty 

law, and enforcement provisions (including 

police powers). n 

APPMA 50th 

Anniversary Gala 

Benefits PIJAC 

G lobal Pet 

Expo 2008 

kicked off 

with a gala in 

honor of APP- 

MA’s 50th Anniversary. Proceeds 

from the gala, hosted by Pet Business, 

were donated to PIJAC. PIJAC 

thanks Pet Business, APPMA, and 

all who attended the gala for their 

ongoing support! n 


Education/Certification News 

Congratulations to the following people who recently earned PIJAC Animal Specialist 

Credentials. If you’re interested in PIJAC’s Certification program, please visit our website at 

www.pijac.org. For additional information, please contact Nancy Knutson at 202-452-1525 

or email Nancy at NKnutson@pijac.org. 

AvIAN (CAs) 

Abarca, Christine 

Ontario, CA 

Abbott, S. August 

Fair Oaks, CA 

Allen, Jonathan 

Walpole, MA 

Alvarado, Tina 

Chino Hills, CA 

Ambrose, Angel 

Temecula, CA 

Anderson, John 

Cody 

Simi Valley, CA 

Ace, Ashley 

Nuevo, CA 

Arredondo, Lorraine 

Pasadena, CA 

Arreola, Leo 

Wilmington, CA 

Arthur, Christopher 

E. 

Whittier, CA 

Babcock, Derek 

Troy, MI 

Barragan, Delia M. 

West Covina, CA 

Baroni, Jennifer 

Etiwanda, CA 

Beard, Stephanie 

Richfield, MN 

Beck, Melissa Rose 


Belmonte, Rocco S. 

Westminster, CA 

Berberich, Edward 

B, 

Modesto, CA 

Berkley, Becky 

Fresno, CA 

Bernat, Carol 

Duncansville, PA 

Bohn, Pamela 

Edison, NJ 

Boltwood, Jesse M. 

Modesto, CA 

Boyd, Tracy 

Lakewood, CA 

Brown, Cheryl 

Orlando, FL 

Brown, Stephanie 

Sand City, CA 

Bustamante, Norma 

Whittier, CA 

Carlo, Katie 

San Diego, CA 

Carranza, Josephine 

Riverside, CA 

Carvalho, Kara 

Kensington, CT 

Caslin, Michelle K. 

Hawthorne, CA 

Cerrato, Christine 

Los Angeles, CA 

Chapman, Chad L. 

Inglewood, CA 

Chavez, Mario 


Chiu, Wan H. 

San Jose, CA 

Christopher, Nicola 

Palm Desert, CA 

Cimino, Patricia 

Toms River, NJ 

Clark, Maurice 

S. San Francisco, CA 

Clemmons, Timothy 

Woodbridge, VA 

Collar, Michael A. 

Tujunga, CA 

Cortez, Manuel 

Industry, CA 

Couto, Mary 

San Diego, CA 

Cross, Sherri 

Flint, MI 

Culpepper, Candace 

Shanae 

Bay City, MI 

Dancosse, Patricia 

New Bedford, MA 

Daw, Jessica 


Denny, Haven 

Huntington Beach, 

CA 

Dixon, Naomi J. 

Santa Monica, CA 

Dotzler, Leslie 

Poway, CA 

Drummond, Jennifer 

Orlando, FL 

Duran, Tanya M. 

Montebello, CA 

Ellegard, Denise 

Wildomar, CA 

Eugenio, Christopher 

L. 

San Pedro, CA 

Everett, Ken 

Jackson, CA 

Jarrah, Amber 


Faust, Susan Leigh 

Torrance, CA 

Feder, Kimberly 

Atlanta, GA 

Flint, Katherine 

San Bernardino, CA 

French, Kit 

Anza, CA 

Gagliarod, Mary Kay 

Ramona, CA 

Gern, William 

National City, CA 

Giamario, Kendra L. 


Gomez, Elsa 


Gonzalez, Denise 

Bell, CA 

Graves, Shelia 

Camarillo, CA 

Gray, Ronald 

Clayton, CA 

Guadarrama, Laura 

Van Nuys, CA 

Guillen, Yvu 

El Monte, CA 

Gurierrez, LaDonna 

Lawndale, CA 

Gutierrez, Kelly L. 

Bakersfield, CA 

Hale, Duane 

Oxnard, CA 

Hammond, Heather 

Anne 

San Pedro, CA 

Hayes, Lyndsay 

Nichole 


Henderson, Mary A. 

Poway, CA 

Hernandez, Jose 


Hogan, Michelle 

Vallejo, CA 

Hubbard, Kathryn 

Anaheim, CA 

Huemer, Gloria W. 

Westlake Village, CA 

Huston, Barbara 

Leesburg, FL 

Huttner, Heather 

Garden Grove, CA 

Janacito, Kevin M. 

Hawthorne, CA 

Jennings-Bowen, 

Robin 

Hartford, CT 

Johnson, Angela 

Andover, MN 

Johnson, Anne 

Flores 

Camarillo, CA 

Jones, Rosa 

Rapid City, SD 

Jones, Shawna 

Downey, CA 

Kalb, Jennifer 

Mission Viejo, CA 

Kautz, Maryann S. 

Corona, CA 

Keimel, Lisa 

Corona, CA 

Kekos, John 

Wildomar, CA 

Kendall, Josh 

West Hills, CA 

Kerns, De Ette 

North Hills, CA 

Key, Karen 

Chatsworth, CA 

Kilpatrick, Grace 

San Diego, CA 

King, David Allen 

San Gabriel, CA 

King, Kyle 


King, Taren 

Yorba Linda, CA 

Kler, H. Joseph 

Zephyrhills, FL 

Knight-Trevor, 

Denise 

Brentwood, CA 

Kononchuk, 

Natasha 

Apopka, FL 

Kothari, Marage 

Industry, CA 

Labbe, Jennifer 


LaCour, Michelle 

Gardena, CA 

LaPrise, Shannon 

Berkley, MI 

Laurel, Paul B. 

Carson, CA 

Leideritz, Robin 

Irvine, CA 

Levasseur, Natalie 

Berlin, MA 

Lopez, Viridiana 

Oceanside, CA 

Loraas, Stefanie 

Moreno Valley, CA 

Lowery, Monica 

Clayton, CA 

Macissaac, Dan 

San Diego, CA 

Marshall, Terry 

Hacienda Heights, CA 

McCray, Melissa 

Temecula, CA 

McElvoy, Wendy 


McKay, Jennifer 

West Paris, ME 

Mendoza, Nathalie 


Mercer, Leyann N. 

Palm Springs, CA 

Miceli, Karen 


Miles, Josiah 

San Diego, CA 

Mitchell, Jacob 

Temecula, CA 

Monge, Ryan 

Concord, CA 

Montavo, Brett 

Torrance, CA 

Mora, Jose L. 

Chula Vista, CA 

Morton, Robin 

Culver City, CA 

Moses, Jamie 

Rancho Santa Margarita, 

CA 

Motyer, Emma 

Santa Barbara, CA 

Mullins, Lisa 

Manassas, VA 

Murphy, Mary Ann 

Poway, CA 

Nagy, Nickol E. 

Wildomar, CA 

Napolitano, Michelle 


Nationalesta, Mark 

Steven 


Nomi, Emily 

San Jose, CA 

Novak, Sara 

Del Mar, CA 

Palmer, Pat 

Bonita, CA 

Parish, Melisa 

Minneapolis, MN 

Peralta, Carlos 

Hawthorne, CA 

Pierson, Kitt (Mary) 

Minneapolis, MN 

Pilgrim, Candace 

Vallejo, CA 

Poloni, Brittany 

Rose 


Potter, Debbie 

El Cajon, CA 

Preciado, Adrian 


Provencher, Leah 


Pryslek, Cynthia A. 

Boiling Springs, SC 

Quinones, Jason M. 

Desert Hot Springs, 

CA 

Quintero, Claudia 

Cudahy, CA 

Raaseld, Jennifer 

Riverside, CA 

Ramirez, Geneva 

Marie 

Bellflower, CA 

Ramirez, Monica 


Read, Tammy 

Cherie 

Walnut Creek, CA 

Reed, Matthew A. 

Lawndale, CA 

Richards-Eastham, 

Leanne 

Bellbrook, OH 

Rico, Rita 

Hawthorne, CA 

Rodenburg, Sarah L. 

Clayton, CA 

Rodriguez, Barbara 

Moreno Valley, CA 

Romero, Maria 

Lafayette, CA 

Romo, Todd Blair 

North Hollywood, CA 

Roney, Shanna 

Ypsilanti, MI 

Rose, Kristine R. 

Fair Oaks, CA 

Rose, Ryan Steven 


Rosenan, Jilliam 

Indio, CA 

Ross, Megan 

La Habra, CA 

Ruelas, Christina 

Palmdale, CA 

Sabedra, George A. 

Covina, CA 

Sacks, Jaqueline 

Cambridge, MA 

Sakamoto, Susan 

Charlotte 

Livermore, CA 

Sandoval, Norma 

Inglewood, CA 

Santchez-Fitzgerald, 

Kathy 

Pasadena, CA 

Schowalter, Charles 

Temecula, CA 

Schular, Linda 

La Habra, CA 

Shannon, Michelle 

Kingsburg, CA 

Shaver, Ron 

Spanish Fork, UT 

Shrewsbury, 

Michelle 

Oakhurst, NJ 

Simmerman, Tiffany 

L. 

Maneca, CA 

Skagerberg, Jennifer 

Rialto, CA 

Sloan, Summer 

Lakeside, CA 

Slominski, Rickie L. 

Clayton, CA 

Smith, Teesha 


Spina, Wendy 

Bergenfield, NJ 

Stang, Shainna 


Strait, Jennifer 

San Antonio, TX 

Stringer, Cherise 


Stringer, Janielle 


Strosnider, Lee 


Stulting, Joseph 

Robert 

Palmdale, CA 

Talai, Freddie 


Taylor, Jamie Lee 

San Francisco, CA 

Tehada, Julie 

Alameda, CA 

Thomas, Farima 

Palmdale, CA 

Torio, Terry 

Santee, CA 

Trulock, Lenora 

Lynn 

Ridgecrest, CA 

Trump, Molly Ann 

Martinez, CA 

Tufano, Lisa Marie 

Rancho Cucamonga, 

CA 

Valle, Sonia 


Van Zile, Karen 

Bellflower, CA 

Vanegas, Maria 

Rancho Cucamonga, 

CA 

Vargas, Amanda 

Montebello, CA 

Vasquez, Mirna 

Studio City, CA 

Vassallo, Gordon 

Arthur 

San Francisco, CA 

Veach, Erik 

Santa Monica, CA 

Vincent, Patricia 

Lompac, CA 

Vu, Thi 

Glendale, CA 

Wagers, Brenda 

Corona, CA 

Ward, Chris 

Oceanside, CA 

Welch, Kiim 

Anoka, MN 

Wheelwright, Rona- 

Leigh 

Sandy, UT 

Wilbur, Joyce 

South Easton, MA 

Williams, David 

Pell Lake, WI 

Williams, Vicki 

Boerne, TX 

Wilson, Bettine 


Zanardi, Monica 

Cedron 

Miami, FL 

Zeldin, Annette 

Culver City, CA 

CANINE (CCs) 

Colon, Suzan 

Old Bridge, NJ 

Cristiano, Beth A. 

Harrison, NY 

Oquendo, Mary 

Danbury, CT 

frEsHWATEr 

(Cffs) 

Spangler, Jason 

Carl Junction, MO 

Spangler, Michael 

Joplin, MO 

rEPTILE (Crs) 

Stratton-Copley, 

Dana 

Ft. Pierce, FL 


PIJAC Plays key 

role in Live Animal 

Imports Conference 

Invasive species are non-native species that 

cause or have the potential to cause harm 

to the environment, economy, or human 

health. Increasingly, regulators and environmental 

activists are blaming pet owners and 

the pet industry for the establishment of 

invasive species, especially ornamental fish, 

reptiles, and amphibians. PIJAC recognizes 

that the pet trade has been a contributing 

factor in some circumstances and has 

become a world leader in efforts to educate 

the industry and pet owners on the importance 

of protecting the environment by finding 

alternatives to the release of unwanted 

pets. PIJAC has also been working closely 

with governmental and non-governmental 

organizations to develop science-based policies 

and non-regulatory measures that support 

the environment, as well as the public’s 

ability to benefit from having companion 

animals in their lives. 

On May 8-10, the University of Notre 

Dame hosted an international conference 

on the pre-screening of live animal imports 

(pets in particular). The meeting was coorganized 

by the Convention on Biological 

Diversity (CBD), IUCN Invasive Species 

Specialist Group (ISSG), and the Global 

Invasive Species Programme (GISP), and 

co-sponsored by several other organizations, 

including PIJAC (with support from 

the Pet Care Trust). Approximately forty 

individuals were invited to participate in 

this “experts consultation,” including representatives 

of government ministries, 

inter-governmental and non-governmental 

organizations, academia, and industry. The 

pet industry was represented by Drs. Jamie 

K. Reaser of PIJAC and Alex Ploeg of the 

Ornamental Fish International (OFI). 

For the first two days, participants 

reviewed the best available scientific and 

technical approaches, international legal 

and institutional frameworks, national 

programs and program needs, and data 

management and analysis tools to inform 

science-based risk assessment of live animals. 

Dr. Reaser presented a talk on socioeconomic 

considerations for pre-screening 

of live animal imports. 

Drs. Reaser and Ploeg emphasized the 

need for pre-screening processes to be sci- 

ence-based, transparent, comparable, and 

inclusive of stakeholders. They also underscored 

the need for capacity building (e.g., 

many governments do not have adequate 

data or finances) and the advantages of governments 

working with the pet industry 

to proactively develop risk management 

approaches [e.g., Habitattitude and the 

National Reptile Improvement Plan (NRIP); 

www.pijac.org]. They cautioned that several 

on-line databases on invasive species rely on 

out-dated information and include substantial 

errors. Thus, they encouraged database 

managers and sponsors to find ways to test 

for accuracy, update information in a timely 

manner, and reflect information quality. 

On the third day, participants broke into 

working groups and attempted to summarize 

the major conclusions and recommendations 

arising from the workshop. 

While there was a general agreement that 

pre-import risk assessment has the potential 

to reduce the risk of biological invasion 

of live animals, there were differences in 

opinion on when (e.g., all imports versus 

species new to trade) and how specifically 

risk assessments should be conducted. 

The general conclusions of the meeting 

were released through the Convention on 

Biological Diversity (CBD) at a Conference 

of Parties in Bonn, Germany, May 19-30, 

and are available on-line at: www.issg.org 

(click on “Expert Workshop on Live Animal 

Imports on the left). 

PIJAC will continue to engage in the process 

as opportunities permit.n 

ornamental fish 

International Honors 

Meyers 

o rnamental Fish International, an international 

trade association representing 

all segments of the ornamental aquatic sector, 

honored PIJAC’s Marshall Meyers with the 

OFI Award 2008. The award, which honors 

people, companies and organizations who 

have contributed to the good of the ornamental 

aquatic industry, was handed out at 

Interzoo in Nuremburg, Germany and was 

given to Marshall for the work he has done 

on behalf of the pet industry. Gerald Bassleer, 

OFI President, specifically noted Marshall’s 

work on international panels such as CITES 

(the Convention on International Trade in 

Endangered Species), ISAC (the Invasive Species 

Advisory Council, and CBD (the Convention 

on Biological Diversity). 

OFI recalled one of Marshall’s first achievements 

– in the early 1970s he fought a proposal 

to ban the importation of all non-native 

species unless the pet industry could prove 

that their importation would not injure the 

environment, agriculture, or humans. In 

the end, the government adopted a policy 

that any prohibition has to be science-based. 

OFI summed it up well, noting the policy is 

one “that has survived the test of time.” The 

same can be said for much of Marshall’s work 

on behalf of our industry. 

Congratulations, Marshall! n 

OFI's Gerald Bassleer presents the Ornamental Fish International 2008 Award to PIJAC's Marshall Meyers 

at Interzoo. Photo by Jamie K. ReaseR 


Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council 

1220 19th St. NW 

Suite 400 

Washington, DC 20036 

Look for Us! 

superZoo 2008 

Sept. 9-11 

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas 

Booth #2438 

PLUS – PIJAC’s Marshall Meyers at SuperZoo University 

Protecting Pets & the Pet Industry 

Wednesday, September 10 at 12:00 noon 

It goes without saying that without pets we would not have a pet industry. Join Marshall as 

he introduces you to the dynamic protection plan that the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council 

has developed for your business and the pet industry. Discover ways to get involved and be 

informed about the past, present and future of protecting the pet industry! 

PRESIDENT 

Elywn Segrest 

Segrest Farms 

Gibsonton, FL 

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT 

Frank Koch 

Natural Balance Pet Foods 

Pacoima, CA 

SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT 

Ruth Jeffers 

Jeffers Pet 

Dothan, AL 

SECRETARY/TREASURER 

Jeff Sutherland 

Central Pet 


DIRECTORS 

Bill Brant 

The Gourmet Rodent 

Jonesville, FL 

Bruce Cook 

Classic Products LLC 

Elwood, TN 

Ken Hall 

PetSmart, Inc. 

Phoenix, AZ 

James P. Heim 

Central Garden & Pet 


Roger E. Lambert 

Lambriar Inc. 

Mahaska, KS 

Chuck Latham 

Chuck Latham Associates 

Parker, CO 

Bob Merar 

General Pet Supply 

Milwaukee, WI 

Mark Pustizzi 

NEMA, Inc. 

Hollis, NH 

Jim Seidewand 

Pet World, Inc. 

West Henrietta, NY 

Gerry Tomas 

Tomas Sales & Marketing 

Homer Glen, IL 

Kevin Whalen 

PETCO Inc. 

San Diego, CA 

ASSOCIATION 

REPRESENTATIVES 

Joel Adamson (APPMA) 

Sergeant’s Pet Care 

Products, Inc. 

Omaha, NE 

Backer's 42nd Annual Pet Industry 

Christmas Trade show 

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 

Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois 

October 3-5, 2008 

Booth #1442 

Ruth Jeffers (WWPIA) 

Jeffers Pet 

Dothan, AL 

Bob Merar (PIDA) 

General Pet Supply 

Milwaukee, WI 

W. Paul Norton (FTFFA) 

Norton’s Fisheries 

Ruskin, FL 

PAST PRESIDENTS 

Neill J. Hines 

Federal Way, WA 

Timothy A. Hovanec, 

PhD 

Moorpark, CA 

Allan Levey 

Secaucus, NJ 

Joel Martin 

Chalfont, PA 

Alexandre G. Perrinelle 


EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT 

AND GENERAL COUNSEL 

Marshall Meyers 

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 

Marshall Meyers 

Michael Maddox 

Jeff Plummer 

The PetLetter is a member service newsletter published by the 

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), 1220 19th 

Street, NW, Suite #400, Washington, DC 20036. Phone 

(202) 452-1525, (800) 553-PETS (7387), fax (202) 293-4377. 

E-mail info@pijac.org. Web address: www.pijac.org 

Your ideas or suggestions regarding PetLetter content can 

be sent to Kari Ardolino Rudgers at Kari@pijac.org. Opinions 

expressed are those of the staff and do not necessarily reflect 

opinions of officers, directors, or members of the Council. 

Copyright ©2008 Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. 

Quotations or reproduction in any form without express 

written permission from PIJAC is prohibited. 

Printed on recycled paper. 

SENIOR SCIENCE AND POLICY 

ADVISOR 

Dr. Jamie K. Reaser 

DIRECTOR OF 

ADMINISTRATION AND 

CERTIFICATION 

Nancy Knutson 

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP 

AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Kari Ardolino Rudgers

PIJAC Poised for Growth - Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council

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