USARK Silent Raffles at the Epic Reptile Expo

Amanda

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Pittsburgh Reptile Show & Sale podcast! I’m Amanda, and I’m here with Rick. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on something that’s honestly very close to my heart—and, I think, to a lot of folks in our community: USARK ! Let’s talk about USARK itself. Rick, you wanna kick us off?

Rick

Yeah, absolutely. So, USARK stands for the United States Association of Reptile Keepers. They’re basically the frontline defenders for anyone who keeps, breeds, or just loves reptiles. Their whole mission is to protect our rights—whether you’re a hobbyist with a single gecko or a breeder with a whole room full of snakes. They’re out there fighting legislation that could make it harder, or even impossible, for people to keep reptiles responsibly.

Amanda

Exactly. And I think a lot of people don’t realize how quickly things can change. I remember the first time I heard about USARK—it was actually at an expo, over 15 years ago. Someone handed me a flyer about a proposed law that would’ve banned certain species, and I just thought, “Wait, this could actually affect all of us?” It was a wake-up call. USARK was the group organizing people, getting the word out, and actually showing up at hearings to speak for our community.

Rick

Yeah, and they’ve had some big wins lately. Like, just last year, they helped stop a bill that would’ve restricted interstate transport of a bunch of common reptile species. That would’ve been a nightmare for breeders, vendors, and even just folks who move for work or school. USARK’s advocacy really does make a difference, but it takes resources—and that’s why the Pittsburgh Epic Reptile Show is hosting a silent auction, 50/50 raffles and a membership drive to all raise funds for USARK this year during their two day event on September 6th & 7th.

Amanda

Right, and I mean, as we talked about in our last episode, the Expo is all about bringing people together. But it’s also about protecting what we love. USARK is the reason we can keep doing this, year after year. So, supporting them isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s kind of essential if we want to keep our community thriving.

Rick

So let’s get into the fun part—the silent raffles themselves. If you’ve never done one, here’s how it works: at the Expo, you’ll see USARK tables set up with all kinds of donated items. Each item has a bid sheet next to it, and you just write down your name and your bid. It’s “silent” because there’s no auctioneer yelling out numbers—just you, quietly upping the ante if you really want that prize.

Amanda

And the prizes, oh my gosh, they’re always amazing. Vendors and artists from all over donate stuff—everything from rare reptiles, to custom-built enclosures, to original artwork. I remember last year, someone walked away with a one-of-a-kind terrarium that had people buzzing all weekend. And there’s always a few surprises, too. You never know what’s gonna show up on those tables. This year we have over 75 vendors who have signed up to donate something!

Rick

Yeah, and I gotta share this—last year, I won a beautiful lilly white crested gecko baby that was donated by American Reptile. It is a now a year old and the sweatest little guy, after I won, a bunch of other folks came over to check out the little gecko, and suddenly I’m in this whole new circle of friends. It’s not just about the stuff—it’s about connecting with people who get why you’re excited about a certain snake, lizard, or a piece of art.

Amanda

Totally. And the process is super simple. You can check the bid sheets throughout the day, see if someone’s outbid you, and decide if you wanna go higher. At the end of the raffle period, the highest bidder wins. It’s a little bit of friendly competition, but all for a good cause. And every dollar goes straight to USARK’s advocacy work.

Rick

And honestly, even if you don’t win, you’re still supporting the community. Plus, it’s just fun to see what everyone’s excited about. There’s always a crowd around the tables, especially when the deadline’s getting close. It’s one of those Expo moments you don’t wanna miss.

Amanda

What I love most is how the silent auction and raffles is it bring everyone together—vendors, breeders, families, first-timers. The donations come from all over, and it’s a real team effort to organize everything. Behind the scenes, we’re coordinating with vendors, setting up the tables, making sure the bid sheets are ready, and just keeping the energy up. It’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it when you see people getting excited and knowing it’s all for a good cause.

Rick

Yeah, and the vendors really step up. Some of them donate their best stuff—like, not just leftovers, but things they’re genuinely proud of. And the attendees, too, they get into it. I’ve seen people pool their money to go after a big-ticket item, or kids saving up their allowance just to make a bid. It’s a real community vibe, and it shows how much people care about keeping this hobby alive.

Amanda

And the impact is real. Last year, for example, the funds we raised helped USARK step in when there was talk of new restrictions here in Pennsylvania. They provided legal support, helped organize local voices, and honestly, I think their involvement made the difference. That’s the kind of thing your raffle ticket or bid is supporting—it’s not just abstract, it’s right here in our own backyard.

Rick

Yeah, and I mean, we talk a lot about community on this podcast, but this is where it really shows. Everyone pitching in, having fun, and making a difference together. If you’re coming to the Expo, definitely check out the USARK tables—even if you’re just curious. You might walk away with something cool, but you’ll definitely be helping out.

Amanda

Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap up for today. Thanks for hanging out with us and letting us share why the USARK is such a big deal. We hope to see you at the Pittsburgh Epic Reptile Expo September 6th & 7th at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall—come say hi, check out the raffles, and be part of something that really matters for our reptile community. Rick, always a pleasure chatting with you.