Hiring of Ed Sayres Update
Recently Reptile Apartment released an article about PIJAC’s hiring Ed Sayres as CEO and president and its affect on reptile ownership. Inside the story we heavily questioned USARK’s role alongside of PIJAC. Since that time the authors of the article have had many conversations with individuals involved directly and indirectly with USARK. Our understanding of USARK’s associate representative role with PIJAC was not very clear at the time of publication. USARK does not have a vote on PIJAC’s board and was shocked that they decided to hire Sayres as President and CEO. USARK’s alliance with PIJAC is best viewed as a big brother – little brother relationship. Where USARK will ultimately do the leg work fighting reptile legislation and call upon the big brother (PIJAC) to help in the fight. Reptile Apartment still stands against the hiring of Mr. Sayres at this time but will continue to support the efforts of USARK until further notice.
Second Chance? Yea or Nay for Reptile Ownership
PIJAC and newly appointed CEO Ed Sayres have released a few public statements in regards to Mr.Sayres stance on pet and reptile ownership. The most recent statement was directed at the reptile community in particular. There is a statement that causes for concern for reptile owners.
“I plan to work diligently on all issues related to reptiles, especially preventing unreasonable reptile pet bans and regulations at all levels of government. “
My question to Mr. Sayres is, what he considers “Unreasonable”? I was hoping he was going to use the word ALL with regard to reptile ownership! As very intelligent people in the reptile community know, pleasing everyone all of the time will not happen. If you are a snake keeper, you need to support turtle keepers, if you are a leopard gecko keeper, you need to support crocodilian keepers. Then as a group of responsible reptile owners (because we police ourselves), we need to support the communities of birds, fish and small animal keepers with their fight against the same legislation.
Do you take the sit back and wait mentality? Are you willing to give Mr. Sayres the chance to prove to the pet community that he truly does believe in responsible reptile ownership?
Financial Improprieties
In any of the statements that I have read Mr. Sayres hasn’t touched on his suspected financial improprieties with ASPCA. In the original article you were shown his alleged improprieties. This is the major cause for concern. As CEO and President of PIJAC he can use his power to support other legislation and the creation of other non-profit organizations that are against pet ownership. Mr. Sayres supported NY-CLASS with donations of $400,000 which has tried to get rid of the carriage horses in NYC.
No matter where you stand on this subject please be cautious as to what is being stated publicly and the actual actions of PIJAC. Time will tell if Mr. Sayres is being truthful in his statements or just doing damage control in his first week in office. Let us know your opinions and stance on this subject on Facebook. We hope this article supplies you with the answers we had on USARK and PIJAC and clearly defines our standing at this point in time.