03/26/2026
Hello everyone.
Sorry it has been a while but I have a rather disappointing and difficult update. The 2026 Maine Reptile Expo (MRE) will be cancelled this year, as we work on changing the requirements the state now requires from the vendors and from us, the MRE.
As many of you know Maine is already difficult to work with and last year we were paid a visit, at our 24th annual expo, from an Agent Muggle (yes, that is his real name) of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (MDACF). They handle pet shops (which we have to apply for a one day, umbrella pet shop license for the expo.) and they handle animal welfare within the state. To be clear, this is not Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), the Warden Service, who handles the creation and managing of the “white list” and enforcing laws on exotics in Maine.
I gave him a walk around the expo, explaining for 24 years we have been self policing and responsible for upholding the white list, the health of the animals and vetting the quality of our vendors. We have had no violations, not complaints, no issues of any kind in 24 years. He saw nothing that concerned him but proceeded to inform us that this year would be different and he explained to me what would need to be done by all for us to continue. He said he would be in touch after the first of the year to confirm all details but this never occurred. I emailed Agent Muggle, only to find out he no longer was employed by MDACF. So I emailed MDACF directly and they confirmed all the regulations now in place.
Here are the new regulations for all:
MRE would still be able to get the Pet shop license if :
* We get all the vendors address, contact information, a list of animals coming to the event with health certificates or we must find a State Licensed vet to certify that ALL animals are healthy (no vet will put their license on the line), including if the animals are captive bred by vendor. If purchased elsewhere, then that information must be obtained and provided along with a health certificate.
* Vendors must collect the information of the individuals that they are selling their animals to and it must be submitted to the MRE by the end of expo for us to send in a report after the expo. (Apparently to track disease spread, which has never occurred).
* All vendors must collect and submit proper tax revenues to the state of Maine or MRE will be responsible for all sales tax revenues collected to the Maine Revenue.
* MDIFW would be responsible for table inspections (on top and under) for white list violations.
We know that the requirements are unreasonable and unrealistic for a one day event. Show Me Reptiles had an expo scheduled May 16th in Portland and I was told that it was cancelled due to lack of vendor interest (I have not 100% confirmed) but they would have to comply to the same requirements and it would not surprise me if that is why they cancelled.
Our committee is working on this with a lawyer, letters to legislators and USARK to file for an exemption from these regulations but nothing will move quick enough for us to hold the event this year.
So we are sorry for this major disappointment and inconvenience but please know we are working on this and we will update you as we get more information and if and when we will need action from you.
