Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We took two rescue savannahs Saturday, and obviously the word got
out, we have been offered two more in the past THREE days!

This really just sickens me that people are buying these animals
with NO concern as to how they will take care of them.

After spending the past three days working on an enclosure that they
WILL grow out of, I know that the people who get these have no
idea. I sit here and wonder what in the world I'll do with TWO, assuming
the sickest ones actually lives.

I told my DIL who manages a Pet Store, I had better NEVER see
savannahs for sale in her store. What do you do? What do you do when
someone obviously can't take care of their reptile, tries to give
it to you and you don't have a way to take care of it yourself?
I hate to think of it being neglected but I SURE can't take them
all.

Thanks
Nina

n/p

from Alex

We've never been without Savs in our rescue. Currently we have 3 in house and I think over the last 5 years we've probably cared for about a dozen. The 3 we have in right now came in fairly good health which is a real surprise.
More scary is the number of Nile monitors that we've gotten calls on in the last 3 years. These animals are hard to place, even if somewhat socialized. I just received a call last weekend about a 4 footer being kept in a VariKennel in someones backyard, 24 hours a day. From what I'm told there were inches of fecal material in the crate, no fresh water, and the animal had ripped out all but 9 of his claws. I never heard back from the person temporarily fostering it so maybe it ended up being euthanized. The one we picked up last week is 3 years old and 20 inches long.
So, what can be done about this? Ranting doesn't do much except relieve a little anger and frustration. Some things that we can all do that sends a message is to boycott pet stores that sell these animals irresponsibly. Get out to your local herp show and set up an educational table..let people know that these are not good pets for an inexperienced or even intermediate keeper. If you do own one of these animals don't make a public spectacle with it, encouraging people to think it's a "cool" pet. Lastly, see if there are any rescues in your area and support them in any way you can... clean cages, prepare food, solicit neighbors and friends for light bulbs, dish pans, old newspaper or towels for their use, or donate funds to help with maintenance costs and vet bills. Sometimes rescues house and care for these animals for months or even years until appropriate adoptive homes are found. Be an advocate, not just a voice.

we've taken in a few rescues and we just let them become part of the family, its to hard to nurse them back to health and then let someone else care for them. i trust no one to care for an animal the way i do ( not trying to sound like i'm great, just there are so many bad ppl out there). it looks like we may have to put down our first rescue after 8 months ( ball python, constant absess on mouth) but we know he lived much better here for those 8 months then he would have at his last home. sorry, now i'm started to carry on.

What a wondeful thing youre doing! You are goodness incarnate!
Dont give up either. You are making a difference for the better, and should be VERY proud of yourself!

Best Regards,

Michelle

Sacramento Reptile Rescue