Florida Fish & Game Laziness

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

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