Hello everyone,
As many of you may know by now Rusty Reptiles has recently been involved in a massive rescue out of Long Island NY. An establishment called The Long Island Reptile Museum (LIRM) was recently shut down due to building code violations. Sadly it is much more involved then simple code violations. Hundreds of the animals housed at this “establishment” went with out heat, water, proper diet and proper enclosures for years. The SPCA recently seized the animals in the area of Hicksville NY. The animals were then placed into proper rescue. As my husband and I tend to specialize in large boids (Boas & Pythons), and varanids (monitors lizards), We ended up receiving 2 water monitors, 1 green anaconda, 2 yellow anacondas, 3 African clawed frogs, Nile monitor, 1 ornate Nile monitor and a lace monitor.
Everyone has been to the vet and is on medication. (Please check for updates in the appropriate forum)
I wanted to share our recent story with you guys in hopes that we may raise more interest in how important it is to provide good husbandry and education about our many herp species. Please look into the reptile friendly establishment that you or your friends may give money to visit. Please also support good breeders (including NERD, we have a great relationship with NERD, which doesn’t usually happen between rescue and breeder, which should tell you something).
Sadly we have lost one of the newest rescues please see my anaconda post for more details.
This rescue has been a long ongoing process, with our first involvement in June of 2003 with our task of removing eighteen animals at that time.
We are exhausted but still holding strong. This rescue has kept us up many nights, and overworked during the days. Please I am implore you too look into this case, and if you are able to help in any way, even just a letter to support the conviction of the man who committed these awful animal cruelty counts.
I will post the following links for you to read. These are links to sites that have shown us great support. You may find pictures of one of the water monitors, Niles and the lace monitor that are now in our custody. When I have the time I will do a thread on each animal removed including stats and pictures.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely
Rusty
Both websites should soon have our information on our survivors posted


http://www.treemonitors.com/LIRM
http://reptilerefugees.bravehost.com/