- 16 -
present evidence that membership in these organizations increased
the marketability of their animals.
In addition, Mrs. Knudsen ordered business cards for ERE and
distributed them to potential business contacts. ERE’s business
card featured a description of its business as “conservation,
preservation, rare and endangered species”, a small picture of
exotic animals, and Mrs. Knudsen’s name and contact information.
The business card did not indicate that ERE sold exotic animals.
Petitioners’ Sales Activities
Petitioners sold animals to individuals, brokers, and zoos
and through auctions. Petitioners initially sold birds locally
but then decided to use a broker to send most of their birds to a
pet shop in Denver. Petitioners determined the market prices for
their animals from various journals, including Animal Finders’
Guide and Rare Breeds Journal.
From 1995 through 2002, petitioners received $416,080 from
animal sales. As stated above, the record provides little
evidence regarding the details of petitioners’ sales activities.
Petitioners’ Time and Effort
Petitioners devoted substantial time and effort to ERE.
Although Dr. Knudsen devoted most of his time to his medical
practice, he spent around 15 or 20 hours per week working at ERE
during the spring and summer months. Dr. Knudsen attended to the
animals’ health needs and was the primary caretaker of the
Page: Previous 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next
Last modified: March 27, 2008