WHTM (Harrisburg, New York) 31 August 06 Reptile Wrangler Fills His Garage With Unwanted Pets (Rob Dixon)
"The longer I was into the reptile hobby, the more I realize how many reptiles are really going unwanted and abandoned or neglected."
Jesse Rothacker is a warm hearted soul, running a cold blooded sanctuary. His garage serves as the base of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary. A rescue shelter for reptiles outside Manheim in Lancaster County. It's been a busy summer for Forgotten Friend. July alone had a record number of alligator calls. Twenty of them.
Jesse Rothacker/Forgotten Friend, "We had state police in Dauphin County call us about a gator that was running around a trailer park. We picked up a four footer that police confiscated in Pottstown walking around."
In a way, these gators are lucky, they will eventually head to Florida to another reptile rescue shelter. Left alone, they would perish in the upcoming cold. The alligators highlight the problem of raising reptiles as pets.
Jesse Rothacker, "If you're considering a pet reptile, the number one thing you need to consider is adult size. Find out how big it's going to get. That's the number one reason we get unwanted pet reptiles."
Most people get a reptile as a pet when they are small. But they forget they grow. By the time a red tail boa reaches maturity, it's no longer cute and cuddly.
Jesse Rothacker, "Something this size is just a couple of ounces in my fingers can grow up to be over 50 pounds and over 10 feet long."
With some reptiles living fifty years or longer, making one a pet, is a long term commitment left to those with a deep respect for reptiles.
Jesse Rothacker, "It's really one of those world that once you get into it a little bit, you just keep wanting to find out more and go a little bit deeper."
Under Jesse's roof these friends are not forgotten. Jesse Rothacker accepts lots of donations to keep his non-profit reptile shelter running. One of the more unusual donations was 200 pounds of frozen rodents, which fed his critters for months.
To find out more about Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary click on the following link. www.forgottenfriend.org
Reptile Wrangler Fills His Garage With Unwanted Pets

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