HumboldtHerps.com
About HCHS...
The idea for HumboldtHerps actually came from two
different directions. In February of 2007 Jessi Floto
started and became the moderator for a Yahoo
group by the name of Humboldt Herps. It was
designed to act as a support group for herp-lovers
within the local community - a message board
where people can share knowledge and ideas. In
the beginning of March 2007, not too far away,
Steven Krause (your's sincerely) was tapping away
at his own personal project - a website on native
herps called www.HumboldtHerps.com. One day
in late March, Steven was browsing the Internet to
see where his website would rank, and lo and
behold, he discovered the Yahoo group! And what a
group! Good people from different walks of life all
coming together to share and discuss the world of
herpetology! The group was in limbo for a time as to
whether or not the name of the Yahoo group should
be the same, however with two sites already in
existence, it was decided that the two projects
should merge.
By late spring, the group was already addressing
issues like adoptions and rescues, community
outreach via presentations and lectures, public field
trips, and more. It became apparent that these
endeavors were beginning to sound a lot like a real
herp society. Members of our group include herp-
different directions. In February of 2007 Jessi Floto
started and became the moderator for a Yahoo
group by the name of Humboldt Herps. It was
designed to act as a support group for herp-lovers
within the local community - a message board
where people can share knowledge and ideas. In
the beginning of March 2007, not too far away,
Steven Krause (your's sincerely) was tapping away
at his own personal project - a website on native
herps called www.HumboldtHerps.com. One day
in late March, Steven was browsing the Internet to
see where his website would rank, and lo and
behold, he discovered the Yahoo group! And what a
group! Good people from different walks of life all
coming together to share and discuss the world of
herpetology! The group was in limbo for a time as to
whether or not the name of the Yahoo group should
be the same, however with two sites already in
existence, it was decided that the two projects
should merge.
By late spring, the group was already addressing
issues like adoptions and rescues, community
outreach via presentations and lectures, public field
trips, and more. It became apparent that these
endeavors were beginning to sound a lot like a real
herp society. Members of our group include herp-
keepers, breeders, and people actively involved in adoptions, and even research. The backbones for a society were already
in place. The need for a society also existed. Herp-keepers as well as local animal rescue facilities that do not normally deal
with herps were actively seeking information or adoptions support. There are a lot of herps in this county! Unfortunately,
without a facility and funding via an official non-profit staus (not to mention time), the abilities of our proposed society were
limited. The question became: What is it exactly that we intend to do? Every herp society usually states its goals in a
mission statement. Most reputable herp societies have an approach that embraces conservation, education, and
responsible herpetoculture. Education, in particular, acts to bridge the controversial gaps that often exist between
conservation and herpetoculture. Thus...
in place. The need for a society also existed. Herp-keepers as well as local animal rescue facilities that do not normally deal
with herps were actively seeking information or adoptions support. There are a lot of herps in this county! Unfortunately,
without a facility and funding via an official non-profit staus (not to mention time), the abilities of our proposed society were
limited. The question became: What is it exactly that we intend to do? Every herp society usually states its goals in a
mission statement. Most reputable herp societies have an approach that embraces conservation, education, and
responsible herpetoculture. Education, in particular, acts to bridge the controversial gaps that often exist between
conservation and herpetoculture. Thus...
A Brief History...
A Brief History...
Our Mission...
Our Mission...
Our mission is to provide the community with an information support group that covers a wide variety of topics and
issues relating to herpetology.
Our goals are broken down into four distinct, yet interconnected paths:
1) Adoptions and Rescue - To communicate information regarding any herp adoptions and rescues both local and
abroad. (i.e: Helping local facilities find homes for their herps.)
2) Pet Support - To help provide answers or referrals for specific herp-related questions.
(i.e: Links to individuals or sites that specialize in particular animals)
3) Outreach - To actively engage the community via presentations, lectures and field trips.
4) Native Species - To help the local community recognize, learn about and help in the conservation of native California
reptiles and amphibians.
Examples of how these goals interconnect with one another are as follows:
Adoptions and Rescue, for instance, goes hand in hand with the basic care requirements that are often referred via Pet
Support. The ethics of pet ownership, which are a big concern when you are trying to find good homes for animals, are
regularly addressed during public events via Outreach. Occasionally, when wild-caught herps fall into the wrong hands,
Adoptions and Rescue refers to the regulations and basic requirements discussed in the Native Species index.
issues relating to herpetology.
Our goals are broken down into four distinct, yet interconnected paths:
1) Adoptions and Rescue - To communicate information regarding any herp adoptions and rescues both local and
abroad. (i.e: Helping local facilities find homes for their herps.)
2) Pet Support - To help provide answers or referrals for specific herp-related questions.
(i.e: Links to individuals or sites that specialize in particular animals)
3) Outreach - To actively engage the community via presentations, lectures and field trips.
4) Native Species - To help the local community recognize, learn about and help in the conservation of native California
reptiles and amphibians.
Examples of how these goals interconnect with one another are as follows:
Adoptions and Rescue, for instance, goes hand in hand with the basic care requirements that are often referred via Pet
Support. The ethics of pet ownership, which are a big concern when you are trying to find good homes for animals, are
regularly addressed during public events via Outreach. Occasionally, when wild-caught herps fall into the wrong hands,
Adoptions and Rescue refers to the regulations and basic requirements discussed in the Native Species index.
Basic Rules of Membership...
Basic Rules of Membership...
Becoming a participating member of HCHS is relatively easy, especially since there are no dues or membership fees to worry
about at this time. There is, however, a screening process when you sign up with the Yahoo group. This is so the acting
moderator can get a basic feel for the new applicant. The reasons for this may be understood by reading the HCHS rules and
guidelines listed below.
HCHS Basic Rules and Guidelines
1) The HCHS does not discriminate new applicants or existing members based on race, gender, age, religious or political
background, sexual orientation, and disabilities. We like harmony. No drama please! Our message board and
meetings are friendly places will no room for egos, bigotry and profanity.
2) The HCHS does not engage in the sales of reptiles and amphibians. HumboldtHerps.com is linked to sites that
regularly breed and sell animals; some of these sites are local. HCHS members who are active in herpetoculture are not
to sell any animals on the society's behalf. We are a non-profit and volunteer-based operation. Our focus is the welfare of
reptiles and amphibians - not the money that can be made by selling them. In the future, if HCHS does decide to sell any
animals, they will be registered adoptions.
3) The HCHS does not engage in the endorsement or slander of any local pet stores. We do not offer advice on behalf of
these places, nor do we intend to receive any discounts from them. Our aim is to avoid any possible political conflicts or
competitive airs that might arise between pet retailers or between retailers, the public, and members of the HCHS. By
remaining autonomous, the HCHS can educate the public, so that the public becomes the instrument for positive change
(i.e: demanding pet stores to raise their standards). Note: The HCHS is community-friendly. Our website does contain
links to local non-pet related businesses such as those found on the Photo Contributions page in the Natives index.
4) The HCHS does not condone the possession or herpetoculture of illegally acquired species. This is a shady area within
the herp world. There are numerous California state laws that are applied to many exotic species and all natives. Laws
vary from state to state. Interest in species less commonly or never found within the pet industry often leads herp
enthusiasts towards a new and exciting as well as illegal specimen. The HCHS maintains its environmental stance in
accordance to the laws in place by the California Dept. of Fish and Game and the restrictions imposed or recommended
by CITES.
5) Members of the HCHS Pet Support Group should only offer advice based on what has worked for them. All inquirers
are urged to do their own research. What works for one situation does not always apply to the other. This guideline
enforces the following DISCLAIMER: The HCHS is not liable for the accidental suffering, injury or death of any herp, where
by the cause is perceived to be a result of information received from the Pet Support Group.
These are the basics for now. There will most likely be new additions or amendments in the future as we acquire more
experience in our dealings with the public and professional establishments.
The HCHS, at present, does not have any members that hold offices. We are currently a communal operation. Offices may be
established in the near future, as our activities expand.
about at this time. There is, however, a screening process when you sign up with the Yahoo group. This is so the acting
moderator can get a basic feel for the new applicant. The reasons for this may be understood by reading the HCHS rules and
guidelines listed below.
HCHS Basic Rules and Guidelines
1) The HCHS does not discriminate new applicants or existing members based on race, gender, age, religious or political
background, sexual orientation, and disabilities. We like harmony. No drama please! Our message board and
meetings are friendly places will no room for egos, bigotry and profanity.
2) The HCHS does not engage in the sales of reptiles and amphibians. HumboldtHerps.com is linked to sites that
regularly breed and sell animals; some of these sites are local. HCHS members who are active in herpetoculture are not
to sell any animals on the society's behalf. We are a non-profit and volunteer-based operation. Our focus is the welfare of
reptiles and amphibians - not the money that can be made by selling them. In the future, if HCHS does decide to sell any
animals, they will be registered adoptions.
3) The HCHS does not engage in the endorsement or slander of any local pet stores. We do not offer advice on behalf of
these places, nor do we intend to receive any discounts from them. Our aim is to avoid any possible political conflicts or
competitive airs that might arise between pet retailers or between retailers, the public, and members of the HCHS. By
remaining autonomous, the HCHS can educate the public, so that the public becomes the instrument for positive change
(i.e: demanding pet stores to raise their standards). Note: The HCHS is community-friendly. Our website does contain
links to local non-pet related businesses such as those found on the Photo Contributions page in the Natives index.
4) The HCHS does not condone the possession or herpetoculture of illegally acquired species. This is a shady area within
the herp world. There are numerous California state laws that are applied to many exotic species and all natives. Laws
vary from state to state. Interest in species less commonly or never found within the pet industry often leads herp
enthusiasts towards a new and exciting as well as illegal specimen. The HCHS maintains its environmental stance in
accordance to the laws in place by the California Dept. of Fish and Game and the restrictions imposed or recommended
by CITES.
5) Members of the HCHS Pet Support Group should only offer advice based on what has worked for them. All inquirers
are urged to do their own research. What works for one situation does not always apply to the other. This guideline
enforces the following DISCLAIMER: The HCHS is not liable for the accidental suffering, injury or death of any herp, where
by the cause is perceived to be a result of information received from the Pet Support Group.
These are the basics for now. There will most likely be new additions or amendments in the future as we acquire more
experience in our dealings with the public and professional establishments.
The HCHS, at present, does not have any members that hold offices. We are currently a communal operation. Offices may be
established in the near future, as our activities expand.
So hop on the herp wagon! Check in on our message board. The group averages about one meeting
every other month (usually on a Saturday evening). We rotate residences where the meetings are
held. The meetings are usually arranged as potlucks. We are always looking for volunteers who can
offer their knowledge, experience and time for Adoptions, Pet Support, and Outreach. Even if you
can not volunteer, we enjoy the exchange of information that regularly occurs at our gatherings.
See you soon!
every other month (usually on a Saturday evening). We rotate residences where the meetings are
held. The meetings are usually arranged as potlucks. We are always looking for volunteers who can
offer their knowledge, experience and time for Adoptions, Pet Support, and Outreach. Even if you
can not volunteer, we enjoy the exchange of information that regularly occurs at our gatherings.
See you soon!
Offices...
Offices...