Rescue Questions

[Reptilian]

Hey all-


As some of you know from past posts, a friend of mine and I would like to start a reptile rescue. I have a few questions and would like to know what you guys think.

#1. Fedex Certification. Yes or No? I'd really like to find local homes for our rescues, for reasons being that it is easier to check on the owners and animals if need be. But sometimes you find a person who is true and able to care for an animal but is out of the state. What do you all think? Is it worth while to check into?

#2. Cages or tubs? Since we're just starting out and stuff we don't have much space, so some flexwatt and drilled tubs would work well. We'd have to keep similar animals in like heating arrangements, but what about small lizards and stuff? If we were to get iguanas we'd keep them first is aquariums cages (proper sized of course), but them move them to custom made encloures...

#3. If you were filling out an adoption form to recieve a recuse, what would you like to see asked on the form? We have some basic ideas (does landlord accept exotics, if under 18 we'll need to meet the parents, etc.)

That's if for now, lol. I am sure I'll think of more....

[joepythons]

Hey all-


As some of you know from past posts, a friend of mine and I would like to start a reptile rescue. I have a few questions and would like to know what you guys think.

#1. Fedex Certification. Yes or No? I'd really like to find local homes for our rescues, for reasons being that it is easier to check on the owners and animals if need be. But sometimes you find a person who is true and able to care for an animal but is out of the state. What do you all think? Is it worth while to check into?

#2. Cages or tubs? Since we're just starting out and stuff we don't have much space, so some flexwatt and drilled tubs would work well. We'd have to keep similar animals in like heating arrangements, but what about small lizards and stuff? If we were to get iguanas we'd keep them first is aquariums cages (proper sized of course), but them move them to custom made encloures...

#3. If you were filling out an adoption form to recieve a recuse, what would you like to see asked on the form? We have some basic ideas (does landlord accept exotics, if under 18 we'll need to meet the parents, etc.)

That's if for now, lol. I am sure I'll think of more....

The first thing i would do is find out if you need a reptile rescue license. This may sound stupid but when i was running a reptile rescue i needed a license and was bound by the same rules as the pet stores.Of course this could be just in Illinois because they love jacking you for money for everything . To show you a example of how stupid this was the inspector did not have a clue concerning snakes.He was scared to death when i tried showing him one of my personal corn snakes .Then before you attempt at rescueing any reptiles i suggest you find a real reptile vet. Now the reason i say a real reptile vet is you need someone who really knows reptiles and how to properly treat health issues.Otherwise you will be spending unneeded money that could be used elsewhere.Good luck on your rescue

[sweety314]

I'm in the starting stages too, but I'm going to do only snakes. Eventually giants but for now just the smaller buds.


Rusty's Reptiles is a rescue as is American Girl (sp?). They're both members here. Rusty was very generous in answering some of my questions along the same lines as yours.

Joe has a very good point, that I didn't think of....re: the licensing restrictions or requirements for your area. For me, since I already HAVE snakes, we have a vet who does snakes, and other exotics, and I found another in the vicinity (about 45" away) who does snakes and rats, but I didn't ask about lizards or other herps.

Besides the age and landlord-type questions, don't forget to include/reserve your rights should you check and have to repossess the reptile, AND have a surrender clause. It would be the pits for you to invest and care for or rehabilitate a sick animal, then have the prev. owner come back and demand the animal be returned. Hit a few of the other sorts of rescues and see what kinds of questions THEY ask on their applications.

forgottenfriend.org
local animal shelters
oregon herpetological society
(search for others)

Good luck in your goals!


RuLyn

[slartibartfast]

1. You definitely want a formal relinquishment form, in which the person surrendering an animal signs away all rights and claims to that animal forever and ever.

2. On your adoption contract, ask a lot of open-ended questions. People will be more likely to answer them honestly if they don't have a multiple choice set to guess the "right" answer. One I particularly like is "What pets have you owned in the last 10 years?" followed by "What happened to each of them?". We get applicants who sound great, but if their last three dogs all got hit by cars, that's a good clue that maybe they aren't taking appropriate care. It's absolutely amazing what people will tell you. We had a couple in looking at a Dane last week and tell us that they have a 4lb Rat Terrier female they've been trying to breed to their 9lb male but he's too tall to accomplish the deed, and in the meantime he's been peeing all over the house so they made him an outside dog! Needless to say, their application failed...

[Reptilian]

Would it be wrong to say if an applicant has been denied to still try and get donations from them. i.e. We're sorry but your application has been denied however if your still interested in helping a reptile you can sponsor a cage or make a donation. Or something along those lines.