Where to begin?

Hi all-

A friend and I are looking to start a reptile rescue. I'd like to start right away but know that isn't an option at the moment with funds. We'd like to go non-profit and such.

I was just curious, where does one begin? I mean right now I could take in 1 animal maybe 2 as long as I have people who are looking to adopt.

I just want to know for all who are out there, where do you exactly begin? I know to save money, we're in the process of setting up an account for that. But we want to do things legit and legal and stuff. If someone could PM me or reply that would be great!

EDIT:

We are starting a website, right now just stating our purpose. And plan on making money by selling t-shirts....

well i would get cages/racks setup before taking in any herps, you may get busy real fast. WHats the link to your site? Once you officially get started i would def buy a shirt!:rockon:

Maybe get an address book started of people who are willing/ looking to adopt a snake that needs help

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Originally Posted by jdmls88

Maybe get an address book started of people who are willing/ looking to adopt a snake that needs help

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right now we don't have a site

One will be done very soon though. I'll see if I can make a poll or something, I have a few t-shirt ideas of anyone can draw and would like to help a good cause. PM me.

OK t-shrit sayings. Anyone have a favorite? I don't know how to make a poll...sry.

T-Shirt Saying
--------------------------------
Snake-y

Turtle-y

Who's yo iggy?

Turtle Momma

Iguana Momma

Beware of Frog

Shhhhh...I'm trying to hibernate!

Today's adgenda:
1. Bask
2. Eat
3. Sleep
4. Repeat

Mites Bite

Ticks Suck

what is the name going to be? i consider myself pretty good at photoshop. lol

We're thinking Reptilian Rescue.

I will get started on a logo idea for you guys to look over if you want?

Hows this look?
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/1/Pic.jpg

looks really good...also good what your doing...well done!


and all the best of luck with it xxx

heres the draft 2 the R. R. was real difficult to make so if its ok im not gunna do the whole thing like that

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...draft2copy.jpg

Or
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...granger/rr.jpg

:D

Good luck with your rescue.

ooooo thats good! ^^^

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Originally Posted by jdmls88

ooooo thats good! ^^^

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Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without designer fonts...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jdmls88

ooooo thats good! ^^^

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Yes I'd have to agree that one is nice.

Lets see, for the site I'd need something smaller. 500 x 500 at the most. (If that makes sense).

Maybe something with just some fancy text and maybe a texture on it. The websites colors are mostly different shades of greens, if that helps any.

Those are some cute sayings for t-shirts. We have very limited experience with rescue but basically know up front that it can be expensive and heartbreaking...it can also be very rewarding. Unfortunately you can't take a rescue in only because you know ahead that someone will adopt it because bascially most of the time you won't know for sure. You may have to keep the animal and care for it for a long time until a proper placement can be found. Be very picky on who gets the rescues as they've already obviously been through a crappy owner and don't need another. Find a good herp vet that will work with you. Ours gave us a special rehabbers discount. Make sure you have access to both mice and rats, frozen/thawed, pre-killed and live as you won't know what any particular rescue will accept so you have to be able to either have those on hand or be able to buy them locally. Hope you don't mind me asking but how many years have you cared for your own snake collection and how many snakes do you currently have. Don't forget about strict quarantine procedures so your currrent collection is not put at risk by the rescues.

Franky-

Thank you for all the questions and comments. They are all very very good ones and I'll answer them the best I can.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Those are some cute sayings for t-shirts.

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Thank you. I do like them a lot.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Be very picky on who gets the rescues as they've already obviously been through a crappy owner and don't need another.

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That is an issue I am working with my friend on. She says what ever animal is deemed unfit for any reason by her to go to an owner she'll keep. Which isn't good and I am trying to explain it to her, that she can't have all these rescues and then possibly take in more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Find a good herp vet that will work with you. Ours gave us a special rehabbers discount. Make sure you have access to both mice and rats, frozen/thawed, pre-killed and live as you won't know what any particular rescue will accept so you have to be able to either have those on hand or be able to buy them locally.

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I do have a few herp vets in the area and will be talking to them once we're in the stages of getting things read to do.

Good Idea with the feeders, I have a problem with getting live feeders and for $6.99 a mouse at the pet shop, they'll get pricey. I didn't even consider that aspect of it. So it seems a breeding colony is a must.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Hope you don't mind me asking but how many years have you cared for your own snake collection and how many snakes do you currently have.

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Nope I don't' mind you asking and I'll be honest with you. I've had 2 snakes in my life time, my two current corns that I've had since July. Other than that I've had a box turtle and a painted turtle over the years. My friend who is helping out with this has 6 iguanas and started 4 years ago with them.

It's an issue with me because I am afraid by my lack of knowledge with certain species/animals will hinder our rescue. I mean i am good at following instructions and will do what it takes to set up a proper environment. I do realize i need more experience.

I've been trying to join a local herp organization, but am having trouble getting information off their website. I'll have to go the paper route. We don't expect this to be up and running for a bit (year maybe two, or more, if in my case and lack of experience with some lizards, snakes, etc.).

Anyway thank you very much for all the questions. It's putting thing in prospective for me and is just driving me to want to work harder!

Thanks!!!

We've got the site up and running. www.reptilian-rescue.com Enjoy.

Very cool website. I really like the color. :gj:

Thank you! We used Yahoo! Site Builder. It's pretty neat, they have tons of templates.

Here's a link for some Ohio herp societies if that will help you out.

http://www.herpo.com/societies.html#oh

Mike and I have done a little bit of rescue/rehab but are just trying to help out where we can too and certainly not on a bigger scale. We did decide up front though to know our own limits so we have a rule that we can't handle any hot snakes, any snakes over 8 feet (we have a 5 year old in the house) or take in more creatures than we can realistically help. Not saying you would, but some folks in their zeal to help don't really help because they get overwhelmed by sheer numbers. You might want to speak to a couple of established rescue groups for advice. You can easily get a ton of green iguanas for instance and they are very high need creatures that require large caging for the adults. Networking with other rehabbers is invaluable for placing hard to place species as well as advice and guidance.

Ask your vet if they offer a discount for rehabbers - many do. Make sure your own local laws (state, county, city, etc.) are not going to give you a problem as far as species or numbers. Start saving caresheets on the most likely species you will see so you have access to good information quickly if someone suddenly shows up. Insist that if possible they turn over all housing with the snake/lizard and make them sign a release. I insist on that as I'm not going to spend all that time and effort to have the original owner show up and reclaim their now healthy snake.

I'd say just basically start slow and know right up front you cannot save them all and that is going to break your heart sometimes. When we took Saoirse in (W/C adult female BP who had not eaten in the better part of a year) our agreement with the previous owner was that if we and our vet determined that after trying everything this snake was never going to start eating and was continuing to lose weight (she was only just over 600 grams and a fully adult female), that she would be humanely euthanized. With a lot of careful work and the invaluable advice of Adam Wysocki, and a great herp vet, we turned Saoirse around and she's now a lovely female of about 1,300 grams. She still has some ways to go and will likely always be a bit erratic about eating in captivity but she's found a permanent home with us and is less stressed about a captive existance. The reason I mention her is that we faced up to knowing that we might not be able to save her and dealt with it emotionally before we ever agreed to take her in. Better some of them have a quiet and humane exit than they suffer because a human doesn't know when enough is enough.

Wish you were closer to us in Toledo I'd happily donate some extra feeders to the cause but if you do need good healthy rats to start a feeder colony with please feel free to let me know. You are more than welcome to take a road trip to Toledo and pick out some on the house (you can meet the scaley crew too LOL).

Oh I almost forgot. Something I've yet to do myself but you should get FedEx certified as soon as possible (we have a lovely sticky here on how to do it) as you are going to have to ship live at some point most likely.

FrankyKeno-

Thanks for the reply. We'll start taking everything into consideration including the amount we can have upfront. I've thought about iguana's as the sole rescue purpose and will further consider that since they are a highly needed rescued pet.

I think we'd enjoy a road trip sometime down the road. It'll be fun. I will keep everyone posted and updated on what we decide to do.