Why a rescue only for exotics?

Many shelters do not have the facilities or knowledge to house and care for exotics.

Shelter staff may be uncomfortable with certain exotics.

The shelter may not how to screen a home for exotics.

Some shelters euthanize ALL reptiles, wolfdogs, etc. they receive because 1. It is against their policy to encourage the keeping of these animals as companions and/or 2. Lack of proper facilities and Knowledge.

Lack of education leads to unwanted pets.

The reasons are many and varied why an animal needs to be rehomed. There are situations such as death, fire, severe illness, and other sudden life changes that are beyond a person's control. There are many more cases directly due to lack of education and responsibility on the keeper's behalf. Education involves more than talking to a pet store employee for 10 minutes. Even if what the employee tells you is correct, it cannot be comprehensive in that short amount of time nor is it guaranteed you'll remember the information. There are books, magazines, and websites to view. You may have difficulty telling the great from the terrible. Ask your local exotics veterinarian and herp society for reccommendations. Critters Annual magazine, Bird Talk magazine,  Reptiles Magazine and the book Iguanas for Dummies by Melissa Caplan are places to start. With proper research there is no reason for anyone to be surprised at the rapid growth and size of a Burmese python, or aggressive disposition of a Nile monitor.

Example- Common iguana scenario

The following story is based on true stories of why someone wanted to give an iguana to rescue. Most reptile rescues have heard one version or another repeated again and again.

Mom, Dad, and Little Bobby are at the neighborhood pet shop because it is Little Bobby's 9th birthday and he wants a lizard. There is a large aquarium full of 8 to 10 inch emerald colored lizards for $8.99 each. Most of the lizards in the store are more expensive than these 'iguanas'. The few less expensive lizards such as the Green Anoles appeared to fragile to handle. Mom asks a nearby employee for assistance. 'Are these iguanas friendly?' she asks. Employee Jane answers that iguanas make great pets that can be handled and best of all are vegetarians. Mom seems relieved to hear that. Employee Jane retrieves an iguana from the cage and hands it to Little Bobby.

After letting the iguana sit on his hand for 30 seconds Little Bobby starts chanting 'I want it! I want it!' Mom asks Dad 'What do you think dear?' Dad replies 'it's cheap and if it dies no big deal.' Mom asks Employee Jane what they need to care for it. Employee Jane shows them a 40 gallon aquarium. 'What?!' exclaims Dad in a loud voice. 'I'm not paying that much for a cage.' Employee Jane then shows them a 20 gallon aquarium.'But you'll need to buy a larger one when he grows.' she adds.

After about 20 minutes Mom, Dad, and Little Bobby head towards the check out with 1 iguana, 1 20 gallon aquarium, 1 bag of reptile bark bedding, 1 piece of driftwod, 1 75w incandescent bulb and fixture, 1 thermometer, 1 bottle calcium powder, and a food and water bowl set. Dad refused a Flourescent reptile bulb and fixture do to the price. He said they would come back for it in a couple weeks if the iguana was still alive.

Each day Mom would place a bowl of romaine and other fruits and veggies sprinkled with calcium in with 'Iggy'. Iggy seemed to do just fine so Dad decided to skip the florescent light. The pet shop just wanted more of his money. Since Iggy had not grown much he still was in the 20 gallon aquarium.

Everything seemed fine until one day about 7 months after purchasing Iggy Little Bobby notices Iggy isn't very active. Mom takes Iggy to the pet shop. Empoyee Tom tells Mom that Iggy has something called 'Metabolic Bone Disease' and that it is from not enough calcium. 'Put more calcium on his food everyday and he'll be better.' Employee Tom Said.

But Iggy didn't get better. Iggy stopped eating and his jaw became swollen. Dad saw a business card for a reptile rescue on a bulletin board and gave them a call. Rescuer Betty said that Iggy was seriously ill and recommended that Dad call Dr. Herp the local reptile veterinarian. Dad said that he had already paid enough money on things for a $9 lizard and could he bring the lizard to the rescue. Rescuer Betty agreed to accept Iggy because it was clear that Dad was not going to obtain medical treatment or provide proper care for Iggy.

If Mom and Dad had done research they may have not bought an iguana. They may have bought a Leopard Gecko or perhaps decided that their family was not ready for a lizard. This story is completely preventable.

I wish I could say the above is complete fiction. There still are pet stores selling iguanas with 10 gallon tanks, hot rocks and the advice that Romaine is the main diet.  There are still many pet stores handing out often incorrect  medical advice instead of referring customers to the local veterinarian.