• Posted 12/19/2024.
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    I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?

    So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.

    But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.

    Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.

    I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.

    =====================
    Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.

    And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.

Florida Fish & Game Laziness

travisc

travisc

Antaresia Python Breeder
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A friend and individual whom I have helped train over the last two years called me up yesterday evening. He said explained that he was both happy & sad that he had passed his first FL state venomous reptiles inspection from the FL Fish and Game.

He went on to tell me a story of getting a knock at his door. A generally overweight, uneducated game warden stepped in, took one look at his setup, and TEN SECONDS LATER (seriously) he approved the "facility" and started to leave. When my friend asked him if he had any questions, the game warden said "NOPE".

My friend then asked him if he would like to look through his snake bite protocols and safety book, once again the warden shook his head and said, "this is good enough". The FL Fish and Game authority then walked out the door and as he was heading to his truck, he yelled back "I just need to send an email and you'll be getting your permit in about a week".

It is this kind of lackadasical attitude that will get people killed in this field. FL Fish & Game MUST increase their standards. My friend busted his rear end to create a safe & secure facility along with educating himself to show the state that he is a professional and responsible keeper of hots.

And one final point, the State of Florida cried & cried over increasing the charge of a venomous permit from $5 to $100 to justify the extra work to ensure we have responsible keepers out there. I suppose I couldn't expect anything better from FL state government.

I feel that the state must become more educated in this area of wildlife permits. Possibly hire a specialist who can help hobbyists and breeders learn more regarding safetly. And just as importantly, not approve or revoke the privilages of ignorant keepers.

Travis
Gainesville, FL
 
Travis.

I can asure you that is not the norm from my experiance. Most the officers Ive incountered including my inspecting officer are far from lazy.

My inspection went pretty simple but I beleive it was to the fact i gave the officer a tour so to speak. Showing him that to get in my hot room a person would need a key to a Hall which is escape proofed then a key to the room which is escape proof then to both the locks on the cages. Along with my permit application which had my protacal included.

The officer did not ask me many questions but this is do to the paper work i sent with the permit application. Along with that was the visual obviousness of the facility. I am certain had he seen one thing out of line HE WOULD have said something.

Perhaps your friends Application was very detailed and the precations in the house evidant to the eye requiring the officer to have no need of questions.
 
I'd have to agree with Scott. My 1st venomous inspection was very thorough. He inspected my caging and even looked at each and every non venomous snake in my collection.
He was friendly and professional throughout the entire process and was more than willing to answer any questions I had.

Hopefully your friend's experience was an exception and not the norm. I'm glad to hear that he has worked so hard to prepare himself for this responsibility. We need more people like that in the hobby.
 
I'd have to agree with Travis. I know a person who recently went through the process (in my opinion she shouldn't have a ven permit). The officer they sent to her house was afraid of snakes and wouldn't go in her snake room. All he was if the door locked. She said yes. He said okay and took off like he'd seen a ghost.

Thorn
 
Never Even Inspected

Now this one, I really won't mention any names. I know of an individual who applied for his permit, and three weeks later, went to the mailbox and there is his LICENSE!!! And to this day (1 year later) he still has not been inspected by a warden.

Another person I know sent in his permit, checked "RENEWAL" and they sent him a permit without even knowing he never had a permit to begin with.

Travis
 
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