Reptile Resue/Adoption

[lady_bug87]

I really want to start this dialogue because I think its important. Now, admittedly, I have not rescued any of my herps they have all come from the same reptile supplier since I find their staff knowledgeable and responsible (they wont sell you something if they think it would be a bad fit) but the last few times I had been there I seem to be seeing more and more beardie hatchlings and gecko hatchlings and its kind of sad because I know that when these animals grow up some of them end up right back at the supplier

I want to know what people think about herp rescue and adoption and if they have had any experience with it

PS: I cant stop thinking about their black throated monitor Snarl... he is amazing and no body wants him either :confused:

[infernalis]

Several of my animals are rescued adopted...

I seized our BP myself from a very ugly set of circumstances.

Also have performed wild snake removals for people afraid of them.

[lady_bug87]

and temperament wise did you have any issues?

[infernalis]

Not really..

The poor BP was sick.

He's a handful now. Make sure his belly is full before attempting to get him out ;)

The few extractions that I have kept all settled in nicely too.

[lady_bug87]

sounds good, I was talking to someone from my building who recently bought a beardie and while they were at the store (supplier that I use) they rescued an adult which makes me glad I really want that monitor but my husband says it would eat my dog lol

[ZARADOZIA]

I was going to make a new thread but did some reading and found this one. We have a local Reptile Rescue and I love those guys. They take in all kinds of reptiles and I frequent their site regularly to see what they have. I love looking at them. It's my mental wish list...lol

Recently they brokered a deal with a educational facility in GA and shipped many of their rescues there.

VA Reptile Rescue, Inc. (http://www.vareptilerescue.org/index.html) Or type in Search engine, VA Reptile Rescue, Inc.

Today they have a beautiful Ball, Red Tail Boa and Male Burmese Python (He is GORGEOUS), and a pretty California Kingsnake, high white phase.

Do you have any in your area?
Do you frequent its website?
What are your thoughts on it?

[Gungirl]

I rescued my GTP and always keep my eyes out for other animals that need to be rescued. I do however have a hard time taking in rescues due to vet bills and temperament. I can not afford to throw money at an animal or have an aggressive animal in my house. I will always take a rescue before anything else as long as its not in need of tons of medical treatment or its not really aggressive.

[ZARADOZIA]

All of my animals are rescue babies. And I could not ask for more loving and affection animals. Except Hendrix, he is not loving or affection, he just tolerates us. lol

[dawnhorn]

I have never had any experience with reptile rescue/adoption facilities, but I would imagine it would be a lot like dogs at animal shelters. Some are there because of behavioral issues (or in the case of reptiles-aggression, not feeding, etc.) but I bet most of the owners were unable (physically or financially) to care for their animals properly and wanted them to have better homes. Unfortunately, in the case of reptiles I think many people buy an animal and don't do their research on it first (or the sales staff misleads them). They find that the animal grows too large for the space in their homes, the proper cage will cost too much, they don't like feeding insects, the snake is well over 10 feet now..."what do I do???", etc.

[infernalis]

Sadly such is the case with way too many monitors and Iguanas...

People buy those cute little babies, and a year later are shocked to find that they now have a large demanding reptile in the house.

[SSSSnakes]

We run a snake rescue and adoption. Sadly I work at a pet store were I get a lot of snakes that people no longer want. I also get a lot of people who have sick snakes that they are unwilling to take care of. We take in all snake and care for them until they are ready to be adopted out or we may keep them for our educational snake programs. We operate on donations and the money we earn from our snake shows. People do not realize how much money it cost to care for a snake. If we have to pick up the snake, there is gas and tolls, electric, supplies, bedding, food, medications and vet bills. We do not charge to take a snake in, because some people would just let the snake suffer if they had to pay to get rid of it, but we do have a $40 adoption fee for any snake. Some times the snakes are worth way more than the $40.

[Uncle_Rev]

We do not charge to take a snake in, because some people would just let the snake suffer if they had to pay to get rid of it, but we do have a $40 adoption fee for any snake. Some times the snakes are worth way more than the $40.

As horrible as it sounds I wish people would just freezer the snake (and themselves too) before making it endure an existence of suffering...

[stephanbakir]

Why not educate them first, and if they won't listen you can just refuse the sale... thats what I generally do.

[Snakefood]

Sadly such is the case with way too many monitors and Iguanas...

People buy those cute little babies, and a year later are shocked to find that they now have a large demanding reptile in the house.


Ya I know, Back when misty was still with us (our 6' Iguana) you wouldn't believe how many people didn't believe they got that big! They all thought "a couple feet long, max"

the rescue in our area is so full, that the SPCA is starting to have to accept surrendered, found reptiles as Reptile Rainforest simply cannot take in any more. Here is the "available for adoption" page.

Home (http://www.reptilerescuerichmond.org/available.htm)

[SSSSnakes]

Why not educate them first, and if they won't listen you can just refuse the sale... thats what I generally do.

I wish it was just that easy. I talk people all the time out of buying a reptile that they are not ready for but many stores and breeders at expos are only looking to make a buck and really don't care about the reptile. I'm not saying all breeders and stores, but many do. I have people coming into the store after an expo and they don't have a clue as to what the have gotten themselves into. Most who bought a bearded dragon were told that they did not need to get a UVB light, because if the customer had to buy an expensive light, they might not have made the sale. The one lady I asked what kind of geckos she bought, she said she had bought 2 different kinds (not knowing what they were) and was told that they could stay in the same enclosure.

[lady_bug87]

i appreciate having this thread re-opened, the more I think about rescue and adoption the more I want to do it, once we get into our house I think I may consider adopting and I think others should too, there are a lot of animals that need love and if I have the desire and the space I feel I should.

I think when I move out I may adopt an adult beardie, since I love mine so much

[unknownclown]

We just picked up 2 BPs that were left in front of a vetrinarian clinic tuesday. They were stuffed in a pillow case with a note stating they are a proven pair but they can no longer afford to feed them.
They are both aboout 4' and emaciated the female especially. I was goin to wait to feed them once they settled in but just felt awful seeing them so skinny knowing there was plenty of food here. they both downed 1 medium 1 small rat and probably would have taken more but I didnt want to stuff them to much in case of regurge from not eating and they only have a few days to get onto the schedule our others are on...
I will always have room for rescues I have a softspot for them and as long as we have the room and the ability to support them we will take them :)

[infernalis]

We just picked up 2 BPs that were left in front of a vetrinarian clinic tuesday. They were stuffed in a pillow case with a note stating they are a proven pair but they can no longer afford to feed them.
They are both aboout 4' and emaciated the female especially. I was goin to wait to feed them once they settled in but just felt awful seeing them so skinny knowing there was plenty of food here. they both downed 1 medium 1 small rat and probably would have taken more but I didnt want to stuff them to much in case of regurge from not eating and they only have a few days to get onto the schedule our others are on...
I will always have room for rescues I have a softspot for them and as long as we have the room and the ability to support them we will take them :)

I liked reading this..... Not the part about the abandonment, the happy ending of course.

KUDOS!!!

[ZARADOZIA]

I will always have room for rescues I have a softspot for them and as long as we have the room and the ability to support them we will take them :)

AWESOME

One of the many reasons I will be glad when we finally find a home that we love. God willing, we will find it before the end of next year and then I can have my menagerie!!

[lady_bug87]

We just picked up 2 BPs that were left in front of a vetrinarian clinic tuesday. They were stuffed in a pillow case with a note stating they are a proven pair but they can no longer afford to feed them.
They are both aboout 4' and emaciated the female especially. I was goin to wait to feed them once they settled in but just felt awful seeing them so skinny knowing there was plenty of food here. they both downed 1 medium 1 small rat and probably would have taken more but I didnt want to stuff them to much in case of regurge from not eating and they only have a few days to get onto the schedule our others are on...
I will always have room for rescues I have a softspot for them and as long as we have the room and the ability to support them we will take them :)


Thats awesome, I keep looking on the Toronto Humane Society website to see if there are any reptiles that need a home but so far I haven't found any, The supplier has a few adults but they keep the ones that get returned for their educational shows which is also really awesome,

The black throated monitor that I am in love with in still there I asked the guy I know that works there and he said he wouldn't sell snarl to just anybody but If I was considering buying him he would let me.

[dawnhorn]

Yes, unfortunately most people are not made aware of the requirements their new animals need and the animals suffer. I have only been in one pet store (and it's one of those big chains where I least expected to hear it) where the sales clerk told the customer that before he would open up the cage to get her beardies, he wanted to know that she had a setup ready. He even asked her for specifics on the enclosures.
To you all who have adopted a rescue....you are awesome! I definitely think we need more reptile rescues. I worked at a local animal shelter a few years back where someone brought in their burmese python (he was about 15 feet at the time). We didn't have the room, supplies or knowledge for proper care so he ended up roaming the breakroom for a couple days until the manager found a rescue a few hours away. A reptile rescue in our town would have been much better for the snake.

[lady_bug87]

I was just on Kijiji and they have so many herps that people are trying to get rid of its so frustrating some just say "I dont want it any more"

[infernalis]

Just a few things I want to point out, and this thread seems the place to say it.

Once upon a time, Dorothy and I had toyed with the idea of opening a reptile rescue here, we have the room, we have the knowledge, and probably could pull it off.

Now here are the things you have to be prepared for if anyone fancies giving it a try.

Financial resources - Forget government grants, forget huge donations, forget buying anything for yourself, because you will go broke.. The government does not hand out much if any grant money to small rescues.

About the only way it will work is if you are yourself a veterinarian or have a close personal friend who is one and willing to work for free.

Too many idiots will give up an animal at the first inclination that they will have to see a specialized veterinarian. So a large number of the animals that will be dropped off are already sick upon arrival.

Caging & food - When operating a rescue, one cannot pick and chose what animals to keep and what animals to refuse, A lot of times they will just show up on the doorstep strapped in a box or a pillow case.

So there may be animals dropped off that require special food or caging.

Be prepared for heartbreak, I know a woman who runs a rescue, and she has "received" Royal pythons that have been half eaten by rats and had to be put down the moment she laid eyes on them.

She is often so broke that she can hardly afford to feed her own family.. She does it because no one else will. She's a hero to me.. Although when her kids have to go to school in rags, I imagine she's a bit less of a hero to them.

Some animals will consume you, financially and emotionally, then die anyways.

What do you do when the number of Iguanas exceeds your space? Iguanas are one of the most frequently surrendered animals.

Sick monitors that have been fed the incorrect diet for entirely too long are another frequent arrival at shelters.

Giant pythons are right up there too for most frequently abandoned animals.

Just a little to think over for anyone who wants to give it a shot, it's a lot harder to do than most people are aware of.

[lady_bug87]

Just a few things I want to point out, and this thread seems the place to say it.

Once upon a time, Dorothy and I had toyed with the idea of opening a reptile rescue here, we have the room, we have the knowledge, and probably could pull it off.

Now here are the things you have to be prepared for if anyone fancies giving it a try.

Financial resources - Forget government grants, forget huge donations, forget buying anything for yourself, because you will go broke.. The government does not hand out much if any grant money to small rescues.

About the only way it will work is if you are yourself a veterinarian or have a close personal friend who is one and willing to work for free.

Too many idiots will give up an animal at the first inclination that they will have to see a specialized veterinarian. So a large number of the animals that will be dropped off are already sick upon arrival.

Caging & food - When operating a rescue, one cannot pick and chose what animals to keep and what animals to refuse, A lot of times they will just show up on the doorstep strapped in a box or a pillow case.

So there may be animals dropped off that require special food or caging.

Be prepared for heartbreak, I know a woman who runs a rescue, and she has "received" Royal pythons that have been half eaten by rats and had to be put down the moment she laid eyes on them.

She is often so broke that she can hardly afford to feed her own family.. She does it because no one else will. She's a hero to me.. Although when her kids have to go to school in rags, I imagine she's a bit less of a hero to them.

Some animals will consume you, financially and emotionally, then die anyways.

What do you do when the number of Iguanas exceeds your space? Iguanas are one of the most frequently surrendered animals.

Sick monitors that have been fed the incorrect diet for entirely too long are another frequent arrival at shelters.

Giant pythons are right up there too for most frequently abandoned animals.

Just a little to think over for anyone who wants to give it a shot, it's a lot harder to do than most people are aware of.

I completely agree,

It takes a special person to run a rescue but I think owning a rescue animal can be a beautiful thing, and I see so many babies and so many stores selling babies and not asking the right questions at the point of sale that it can get scary to think how many of them get surrendered same with other pets too

[infernalis]

Oh yes, anyone who can, PLEASE adopt a herp.

And considering what I just said, if you know of any shelters near you, give until it hurts.

Breed your own rodents? have some extras? give them to the shelter for snake food.

Even if there is no herp shelters, drop off a cheap bag of dog food or cat food every once in a while at the local pound. It feels good, and the critters will thank you for it.

[SSSSnakes]

I agree with Infernalis. Running a rescue is hard work and very time consuming. I run a snake rescue. We do not take in lizards or monitors, turtles or frogs. I do have connections to help people find homes for other reptiles, but we can not take them. My days consists of my job and then spending the rest of the day caring for the snakes. We get some donations when we do our shows, but the bulk of the money comes out of our pockets. As was pointed out many of the snake rescued need medical attention, (as you may have read in my last post about Pirate, a sad story but hopefully a happy ending). We have a donation button on our website that has never been used by anyone donating money. We also accept credit cards, but that too has amounted to nothing. But we thank God that we always have had the money to provide for the snakes. Some people do donate rats and mice for food. I'm thankful my children are grown and out of the house and I have a very understanding wife who supports what I do.

Running a rescue is something you should not jump into without looking at all the angles. I was talking to a lady who runs a cat rescue and as we agreed, the rescue really does become your life, with not a lot of time for other things. But I find it very rewarding.

[shaunyboy]

As horrible as it sounds I wish people would just freezer the snake (and themselves too) before making it endure an existence of suffering...


im not having a go mate

if by freezer the snake you mean euthinise then,you should no its a very slow and painfull death for the snake

the quickest pain free way to euthinise a snake is,to cause full cranial destruction

hold the snakes head on a flat hard surface

then with a hammer give it 1 hard fast strike to the head

this instantly crushes the brain before pain has had time to register

sorry fror the gruesome subject,its just a lot of folk are under the impression freezing is a pain free way to euthinise a snake

its NOT

re setting up a rescue
as has been said its very expensive

also takes up a lot of time and space

i hope you manage to get it sorted as its a great thing to be doing

all the best shaun

[infernalis]

Luckily, where I live, I shoot animals when needed, My hairless rat "Streaker" got real bad skin cancer, one shot to the head with a hunting rifle and it was over in a nanosecond.

It's not as lovely as a shoe box funeral, but it was far more humane than letting cancer slowly consume my pet. (Yes I keep the rare ones as pets, so far only three have ever been born with the hairless trait, and now the mother who possessed the gene has passed)