Iowa Reptile Rescue hopes it will be rescued



It needs $2,500 to cover rent and food (rats and vegetables) for 80 homeless reptiles and amphibians.

Hello, my name is Jose. I'm a green iguana.



Adopt me!



Jose's plea will soon need a few more exclamation points - unless his caretakers raise $2,500 by the end of the month.



The rough economy has taken its toll on Iowa Reptile Rescue, which is home to about 80 reptiles and amphibians that, for many reasons, are homeless.



Jason and Robin Argo started the rescue 2feet," Jason Argo said.



The Argos need $2,500 by Nov. 27 to catch up on money owed for their lease and rats and vegetables that their homeless critters eat. They've raised more than $600 so far.



The rescue has between 60 and 100 animals at any given time, depending on demand and other factors. The Animal Rescue League, which does animal control work for the city of Des Moines, has an agreement with the Argos to place all wayward reptiles and amphibians with them.



The Argos use a two-week waiting period on all adoptions to be sure the creatures find the right home.



"Everybody wants to adopt, but we're real picky," Jason Argo said.



Zac Sadler, who manages another store in the mall, said he would hate to see the group leave the mall or close.



"They try really hard to do the right thing," Sadler said. "It's truly a good cause."



Argo said they've found a lawyer who is willing to do free work to help the rescue become a not-for-profit organization. That would make it eligible for grants to make the rescue solvent, even in tough times, he said.



But first, they need to pay the bills.

www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101119/NEWS/11190304/-1/SPORTS09/Iowa-Reptile-Rescue-hopes-it-will-be-rescued

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