Future PWHS Herp Show - Planning In Progress

(A word from P.W.H.S. president, John Mendrola)

By this time next year I hope to have a PWHS organized herp show setup for the Washington or Allegheny county Pennsylvania area. I hope to setup such a show by next year for "REPUTABLE VENDORS" to sell their stock, aswell as caging and equipment. I get very angry and tired of the shows I attend with poorly cared for, sickly animals being sold for profit.

I honestly am not sure how I will go about organizing such a show. So, as with anything in our growing society, please feel free to comment with suggestion as to the legalities, permits, etc, of how to organize such an event. Suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.

My goals for such a show would include venomous animals aswell as non-venomous animals. All PA legal reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodilians, etc.) would be welcomed. I also plan on hosting my own educational lectures, and setting up exhibits with accompanying educational posters and flyers. Printed information about many of the services the PWHS provides will be offered, aswell as a chance to speak with a representative about our adoption program.

Only captive bred or long term captive specimens will be offered by vendors, NO fresh, wild caught specimens that are not feeding and have not be quarantined. Vendors will only sell to customers with the reasonable qualifications to properly care for the animals, and "expert only species" will only be sold to customers that appear to have a comprehensive knowledge of the husbandry and proper handling of the animals. No venomous reptiles would be sold to persons under the age of 21.

This will simply be another step in building our community a solid foundation. Hopefully this can be achieved sooner than later, but as allways, your help in getting things started would be a huge help!

Thank You,

John Mendrola (PWHS President.)