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The thing is, a lot of these people could be put in jail (in criminal cases), which would force them out of business, atleast temp, and maybe some of the people ripped off will get part of their money back. Apparently the police, humane society, or wildlife commission doesn't want to arrest people for having reptiles in horrific conditions, or for a lot of the fraud that goes on. They just seem to shun the idea that a reptile is worth their time or anyone else's money.
Is it policing? My thoughts are that the laws are already written. We can't enforce them, but a large organization can pressure the law to do what they're already getting paid to do anyway. But my personal feelings towards this is to protect the reptile personal pet industry as a whole, from other organizations that may be trying to ban reptiles in North America. It could also help out the smaller, less-known breeders.
One of the big things about having a sort of a mediator-type role is that, if a petshop is willing to listen to somone, they can give them advice on things that need to be changed, to make their petshop acceptable. If the petshop does take the advice, no police or bad media for the reptile industry.
As of right now, I am working with a petshop for this exact reason. After seeing the conditions of this place, I wrote them a letter, explaining what I saw there, as well as gave them advice on how to make conditions better. I've also explained to them that they could be facing criminal charges and heavy fines for animal negligence and that there would be volunteers inspecting his store atleast once a week, and that if any more complaints were made, he would be turned over to the authorities, with the reports I've had on him. Yes, I can do shops locally, but I can't inspect them all over the country, where thousands of horrific petshops just like this one could be either corrected or exposed.
Using set standards doesn't have to bully someone's pet shop or breeder facility. It's more of basic guidelines that one should already be taking, for the health of their animals. For example, you (hopefully) wouldn't wanna see 5 adult mali uromastix put in a 10 gallon aquarium, stuffed in a dark, cold room, in a petshop. That's something that's unacceptable. Even if the petshop's idea is "hey, it doesn't matter, cuz we'll have them sold in a few weeks anyway"
Every rule/guideline would be thought up and voted on by its members and could be changed by its members. There wouldn't be anyone that could "Veto" a vote/rule, because it would be an organization of equal alliance members.
What it would not do/be: It's not about boycotting or spreading bad stuff about a petshop or breeder just because that place of business isn't in the alliance. It's won't be about being in an "elite" club. Anyone who accepted the set standards and honored them would be welcomed. A person or business in the alliance would not have to do inspections or volunteer work, although it might be encouraged. People in the alliance would NOT have to pay any membership or renewal fees, even though donations would be accepted.
But you've made a good point, Daniel. It does require money, but I don't really see it being taken out on customers, by charging them more for their animals or supplies. That would be like a 711 saying "hey we're going to charge .20 cents more per item for a donation to hospice attic" or something. That's kind of a forced way to do business, even if the customer doesn't know it.
If a breeder or petshop felt that the organization was helping to protect the industry he/she was in, I wouldn't see any reason why that person wouldn't take money out of his personal spending money to help out.
The money could possibly be had by going to some of the larger-known breeders/dealers and ask them if they'll give the organization some free advertising, to solicit donations, maybe put a paypal donation link up. Also, if that person owned a petshop, they could just put a cup out for donations.
A lot of the expenses are almost non-existant now though. With the help of the internet, we no longer need postal mail for normal letters.. Just send an email. Also, there are egroups, which every member of the group basically can email and collaborate through them. That eleminates the need for buying excess printer cartridges, sending out thousands of letters, printing them out, stuffing thousands of envelopes.. It'll also save a lot of $ on long distance calls. Saves both time and money.
With digital cameras, we can take pics of any proof of negligence in petshops or whatever as well. No need to buy expensive polaroid film, etc.
So, all in all, I think it's the work that's the hardest issue to overcome. Just thought I'd clear a few things up. Thanks for the replies wes and daniel
