On January 16th, a new partner joined with the National Park Service to protect park resources from damage caused by abandoned pets such as pythons, monkeys and parakeets.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and the Department of Interior, including the NPS and FWS, signed a memorandum of understanding to create public awareness about the threat of invasive species and to promote responsible pet ownership practices to prevent the accidental or intentional release of invasive species by pet owners.
PIJAC is a pet trade organization, dedicated to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, fostering environmental stewardship, and ensuring the availability of pets.