Herps needed

[llama]

My wife is a local Biology teacher and we have started a reptile rescue. All animals will be used in a biology class for demonstration, or in public educational presentations. I will be trying to get a variety of reptiles. Right now I have the full setups for 2-3 snakes (boa or python ok) and 2 larger lizards or multiple smaller lizards. If anyone knows of good contacts in Indiana please let me know.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Richmondreptiles/

[BWSmith]

What you described is not a rescue. It is great that you want to use them for education. But I would contact a rescue and get herps from them. This way you are giving animals a home and won't get in over your head. 4 or 5 enclosures ready to go is not really a rescue, just a few empty cages ;) I think that for the time being, i would just take in the animals you need for the programs and concentrate on education. A rescue is alot more time, money, and work than you can imagine. Good Luck Bro.

[Samba]

Uh, call the local animal shelters. I'm sure they could give your number to the many people who call them a year looking to find their iguanas and burms good homes to go to. Don't ask for animals, rescue them like you say you are! LOL =D

[CyberGhost]

I agree, checkout some local shelters then if you can't find anything check around on the net there lots of recues on there. It's better to give unwnated herps a good home then give one perfectly contemp with their life. I hope you find what your looking for soon. Maybe somone will post some links I would but i'm lazy.

[llama]

I am the only person in 50 miles of my town who is willing to take reptiles. I have been in contact with the 2 animal shelters in town, which only take cats and dogs. I have contacted the animal control officer, the local pet stores, the parks dept., the arboretum. I have been all over town but there are just not many reptiles sold as pets in my area. My wife is a teacher and we only have 1 car so driving to adopt one of the many out there does tend to be a problem. I guess I am just waiting on something closer to me or someone willing to ship.
Thank you all for your input, Jason Box

[Samba]

I'm sorry to say... but isn't starting a 'reptile rescue' about the animals? If so it shouldn't be a problem to drive out to where one is to pick it up! I live in Rio Rancho, NM and I've driven to Santa Fe, Las Cruces and farther to pick up animals that need homes. I run a reptile rescue and I refuse NO ONE. It seems more to me that you guys are merely interested in getting free reptiles delivered to your door. I don't mean to sound harsh, but let me leave you one last bit of information: When you 'rescue' reptiles, you RESCUE them. You will need to get them taken care of, and possibly treated at the vet's. This costs money. Almost 99.99% of the animals I've rescued have had something seriously wrong with them. It may be parasites to full blown MBD, which, in either case will cost you, financially and emotionally. I would think of what you really want before calling yourself a 'rescue'. Get approved for non-profit status, now THERE'S a challenge!

[llama]

When I am talking about not bieng able to drive there to get the rescue, I am talking about adopting from other rescues. As far as "rescues" I serve my town and my county which consists of only 60-70 thousand people. You see I am the only one around here that takes reptiles. I will rescue an animal in need, is that not what a rescue is for? And spending money on animals I do understand. That 50 mile radius i talked about before. I have to drive that every time I do need a vet for one of these reptiles. Granted I am just getting started and I do have all of the state papers needed and I am in the process of getting it all together. Why not get my name out there now. I have space, I have a list of people wanting adoptions, I have adoption applications from all of them. There are just not many other reptile owners in this small town. And not much need for a rescue. I am just trying to help out with the problems some reptile owners may come across.

[llama]

How about I say I rescue reptiles instead of I'm a reptile rescue?

[LdyDrgn]

I think it would be best to state you will take in (read: adopt) any unwanted animals. Stating you are a rescue implies a whole lot more.

When adopting these animals back out, will you be charging any fees? What extent are you capable of treating sick animals yourself? Can you give injections, know proper dosages to give? Do you know what to do about mouth rot, scale rot, and bites from live prey? How about snakes that refuse to eat, at what point do you begin to force feed? What do you do about Regurge Syndrome? What if a snake has a serious RI? Can you put it down if treatment doesn't take? Can you take the pain of not being able to save one?

These are the things that go through our minds when someone says "rescue". More often than not it is synonymous with "rehab". I'm not trying to get down on you or anything. I just hope you are prepared for these problems because sometimes they can't wait for a vet appointment and must be treated right away.

[Herpkingdom]

OK, I said what I have to say and this thread just proved my point!

Hint, Hint......


http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16716