How to start a reptile rescue

[Monitorlizardlover]

Hi! So a couple years ago I had a very successful reptile rescue, but my parents made me stop. Just recently they said I could do it again, but one animal at a time. They also said no snakes. And they said I could only do this for two years, and then they want me to "settle down" with one animal. How do I convince them to let me do more than one at once and continue it for as long as I live with them. Which is maybe through college because I live in a college town and they want me to go there

[Nellasaur]

This probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but if you're living with your parents and they'll only allow you to have one reptile at a time, you're not running a rescue. You're not going to feasibly be able to run a rescue out of your parents' home without their full buy-in and support. Rescues-- real animal rescues-- are licensed appropriately for their area. Without a license and whatever other accreditation you'd need (non-profit certification, etc), you're just a private citizen.

If you actually want to run a reptile rescue, start researching the paperwork and planning everything out now, so you can start your organization once you are living on your own.

If this comes across as harsh, I'm sorry, but I work for a major animal welfare organization in my area, so I have a bit of a first-hand look at how this stuff works. Without the license, you can't be a rescue.

(If you saw my original response to this thread, pls. disregard, I misfired into the wrong window.)

[bcr229]

Plenty of people "rescue" on their own, but they put their own money into getting the critters healthy and then finding suitable homes for them. What you'll need is:
- a job, because you'll need...
- money, for vet bills and specialized equipment,
- a good local exotics vet,
- the understanding that you can't save them all.

[Nellasaur]

Plenty of people "rescue" on their own, but they put their own money into getting the critters healthy and then finding suitable homes for them. What you'll need is:
- a job, because you'll need...
- money, for vet bills and specialized equipment,
- a good local exotics vet,
- the understanding that you can't save them all.

Well and fairly said.

[andrewross8705]

Plenty of people "rescue" on their own, but they put their own money into getting the critters healthy and then finding suitable homes for them. What you'll need is:
- a job, because you'll need...
- money, for vet bills and specialized equipment,
- a good local exotics vet,
- the understanding that you can't save them all.

This^


As it was also mentioned and it's said to a lot of people in general who are still living at home and want to convince their parents to let them get a reptile or specifically, a snake. You're living under your parents roof, it's their house so you'll have to respect their rules and what they say. Don't push the issue or just come home with a reptile in the hopes that they let you keep it because it's already home. To be honest, I wouldn't start a "rescue" while you're going through school and college. Wait until you're out on your own, have the money, the space and time. It sounds like you're going to start only to have to stop.

[Monitorlizardlover]

This^


As it was also mentioned and it's said to a lot of people in general who are still living at home and want to convince their parents to let them get a reptile or specifically, a snake. You're living under your parents roof, it's their house so you'll have to respect their rules and what they say. Don't push the issue or just come home with a reptile in the hopes that they let you keep it because it's already home. To be honest, I wouldn't start a "rescue" while you're going through school and college. Wait until you're out on your own, have the money, the space and time. It sounds like you're going to start only to have to stop.

I've been keeping reptiles for 8 years now and have apprenticed with several other keepers. Up to date, I've rescued about 15 or 16 animals a couple years ago. I did spend my own money on rehabilitation and I used to take in more than one at a time. Currently, I'm very injured, so I only have the money to take care of about three rescues plus my other animals. My parents gave me the choice to rescue one at a time or permanently get a Savannah Monitor. I figured I would rather help just a little bit than get something for myself. My parents are very ok with me keeping and raising rescues, they just currently don't want more than one rescue at a time