Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, a lot of you know about the little ig (Fulton) I found two weeks ago in a tree in Philadelphia. This past long weekend, I decided I have to start the adoption process for him.

Everyone I've talked to has been horrified that I have another ig. I live in a tiny apartment with a roommate, and don't make very much money at all. And although I have been determined not to let it happen, it is already affecting my care of Bud. (Because of buying stuff for Fulton, can't start new enclosure for Bud...not handling either ig enough...either bathing both igs in the morning, or being late to work). I have even been having nightmares where I am walking down the street and there is an injured lizard under every bush and in every tree, and can't help them all. But he's adorable, surprisingly healthy, and seemed to be meant for me, in the way that I found him. I decided I would try to compensate and adjust any way I could.

Things came crashing down this weekend. My boyfriend and his dad assembled the sides and top for an enclosure for Fulton, and brought it down to my apartment, and we put it together. We put it in my room, and it was so big and overwhelming looking, it just seemed to symbolize the huge commitment I would have to make to yet another iguana, and I just knew I couldn't keep him. The guilt is overwhelming, especially after all the hard work everyone I know has done to help me keep him. But I am close to maxing out two credit cards and a bank account, and all I know is that I did not EVER feel this sense of not being able to handle things with Bud. It's always been a pleasure, never a burden.

I despise those people who write bad adoption ads on Green Ig Society- you all know the ones I mean. "Hi, we REeeeeally love our Iggy, but since getting our NEW PUPPY, we JUST don't have the time to give him the attention he needs! It's not that we don't have the room or the money- We're soooo sad, but he simply doesn't fit with our decor anymore, and he's got to go!" I don't want to be one of those people. I know the situation is not the same, but that's what I feel like I'm doing.

I have a beautiful new enclosure for him, and for now, everything will be okay. I will adjust for now, and start the adoption process on the Green Ig Society webpage. I start getting teary when I even think of taking pictures of him for the adoption page. In fact, I have been constantly on the verge of tears since Monday afternoon, when the cage got put together. How do I have any guarantee that I am not sending him someplace much worse than my apartment, even if the adopting owner says all the right things on the application? People change, become lazy, and get new puppies and stupid ideas about not having igs and babies in the same house.

Also, if I have to keep him for years before he finds a new owner, it will only be that much harder to give him away.

I am really heartbroken. I am overwhelmed by keeping him, and feel sick about giving him away. Anything anyone, especially rescuers, can tell me would be great.

-Erin

Your post brought tears to my eyes. It shows You are a responsible Ig Slave and You know your limits. I only wish more people were like you.

As for the situation, How big is Fulton? How big is His new cage? If He has His Permanant New House, That's usually The most expensive part so the bills should calm down a little.... And as for Soaking, Maybe soak one in the morning and one in the evening? I go to work at 6 am (Up at 5 to get everyone fed...) so I soak both of Mine in the evening. They also get their loving time then. Don't know your schedule so I don't know how possible that is... But it's something to think about.... Maybe you could draw up a daily schedule and Play with it till the time is made? Green Ig Society is an awesome organiztion. I adopt My first Ig thrrew them. And as for feeling like those (He no longer fits and Has to go) people, You are by FAR not One of them. You're trying to give both of these Igs the love and care they need. Those people can't be bothered to even try. Never call yourself one of them, ever. If You can give us a little more info on Your daily life, maybe we can help you work up a schedule? It's worth a shot.....
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2.0 Iguanas, 2.1 Beardies, 0.2 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.1 Leo, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.3 eastern garters (plus 24 babies!!!!), 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses, 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

I'm definately going to have to write up a schedule. I leave for work at about 7:45 am, and get home around 5:45 or six. Three times a week I have something (viola lesson, exercise class) that starts around seven pm (needless to say, these haven't been happening on a regular basis lately!) and my boyfriend in Philadelphia and I try to alternate visiting each other on the weekends (he's been doing all the driving lately! .

I think I just need to get up earlier! Oh well, that's good for me anyway, and Fulton's lights wake me up at six thirty now instead of my usual seven, so that makes it a little easier. I should probably work up to setting them at six, so he's ready for a bath earlier, or maybe put a little dish of water in there... found he's a poop painter, though, and also likes to hop on top of his food dish and kick food out. Guess he's digging through looking for the "good stuff".

OK So Try this:

Mon-Fri: Up at 6:30. Feed Critters. Bathe One Ig. Home At 6. Bathe Second Ig. Go to Classes.

Sat-Sun: Up at.... ?? (What Time do you visit Your Boyfriend??) 8?? Feed Critters. Bathe Both Igs. Visit B/F.

Of Course this is a VERY rough schedule. But it should give you an idea of where you can MAKE time. Let me know if it helps. If You want, I can make you a full schedule.... LOL But I'd have to know a detailed daily routine.... LOL Not sure you wanna give me that kind of info Let me know if I can help anymore. I know it's hard to find time... Sometimes You have to MAKE the time.... Maybe less time in front of the P.C. or T.V. OR maybe something else can be switiched around. Ok, I'm done babbling... LOL
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2.0 Iguanas, 2.1 Beardies, 0.2 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.1 Leo, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.3 eastern garters (plus 24 babies!!!!), 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses, 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

You are doing the right thing. You rescued him, gave him new life and made him healthy, now you are finding him a new home...you know how expensive they are and it is OK...I went through the same thing a few years ago and ended up with 8 iguanas in my home and no time or money for any of them...I finally had to let go and rehome some of them...Now I have 4 and they are my angels...It is still expensive, but for me workable...You are only doing what is workable for you and any rescue will appreciate it...If you cannot give quality care, then re home the little one...You did your job helping him out, now someone else will take him and make him a pet...It will all work out, you will see...I appreciate what you did for him...good luck finding a great home for him...Lyn

Erin,

The first and most painful lession in this is that you cannot
save every Ig! I know as I do rescue for Guinea Pigs. I wish
I could save EVERY unwanted pet but I finally realized this is
impossible. One way that I deal with this and get satisfaction
is by doing educational events in my town on Guinea Pigs and
reptiles. I have my Beanie and she was a rescue. I feel proud
that I could at least help her and maybe educate others so that
these green guys stop ending up in bad situations. I know in
my heart that I would never turn away a pet in need but I also
know that once my job is done, it must be placed in a caring
home.

Hope this helps a little

Linda

Erin, the longest that I've kept a rescue and then adopted it out was 2 years. It broke my heart and I cried but I knew it was the best situation for the lizard. I will keep them for as long as it takes to find a suitable "match". I've even adopted out iguanas that I was willing to make permanent residents when the "just right" home came along.
These animals have a way of worming themselves into your heart in a very short time. Please feel good about what you do and in the fact that you screen for the best homes that you can find for the babies. If you feel satisfied in a placement then you have a lot to be proud of. Keep up the good work!

You must be loyal to Bud.If you keep this other ig BUD will suffer.When the other ig grows they will start to fight and life for BOTH igs will be a nightmare! Bud can become wild and aggressive towards you, too, if the level of jealousy becomes too high!If he attacks you this will destroy the good relation you have with him.At the end you will lose both igs!

I could not give him the time and attention he needed.I saved him, i gave him all the care he needed to become healthy again.Then i found him a good home. There he will be the only iguana, so he will be spoiled.In my house he would always be stressed with so many big adult male iguanas around!

You guys are the best. When I found my first ig, I had no idea there would be so much sadness and happiness in store for me. I am feeling a lot better about adopting Fulton out. Everything you said helped so much, and one thing my boyfriend said was, what if another animal comes along who needs my help? I won't be able to give it room if I have two iguanas.

Fulton is going to the vet again today to check on some gut- obstruction-looking bodies on his x-rays (he's pooping fine, just probably ate something sticky or big out in the wilds of Philadelphia and we want to make sure it's moved along) and a fecal smear. So he'll have a clean bill of health for his new owners. I took some pictures the day before last, and will take some more of him in his enclosure- I think I will give that away with him.

I read the adoption section on the Green Ig Society page, and it is really non-judgemental and their tips are great. So I am a lot more confident that I am doing the right thing. I will be listing him on Green Ig Society, and possibly MARS and Scales and Tails. Thank you guys so much, you don't know how much your words mean to me.

-Erin

...there was something I could do for you. My original post was going to state that I would be willing to take him in as a foster home, but I reconsidered. Two iguanas in one house, full time school, and work would not work out. I offer you my deepest sympathies, as I know you are in a very upsetting situation. You have done all that you can, you should feel like a god for that, as most people would have given up and let the poor creature suffer. In the end, it will work out...there IS a reason this has come to this conclusion, one way or another. You just need to recite that phrase, and keep in mind you are indeed a wonderful person with a relentless will to help those in need. It WILL work out, he will have a caring home, and you will feel ten times better knowing that you gave a damn, did all you could, and saved a life.
With best wishes to you, and Fulton,
-Angel

>>Hi, a lot of you know about the little ig (Fulton) I found two weeks ago in a tree in Philadelphia. This past long weekend, I decided I have to start the adoption process for him.
>>
>>Everyone I've talked to has been horrified that I have another ig. I live in a tiny apartment with a roommate, and don't make very much money at all. And although I have been determined not to let it happen, it is already affecting my care of Bud. (Because of buying stuff for Fulton, can't start new enclosure for Bud...not handling either ig enough...either bathing both igs in the morning, or being late to work). I have even been having nightmares where I am walking down the street and there is an injured lizard under every bush and in every tree, and can't help them all. But he's adorable, surprisingly healthy, and seemed to be meant for me, in the way that I found him. I decided I would try to compensate and adjust any way I could.
>>
>>Things came crashing down this weekend. My boyfriend and his dad assembled the sides and top for an enclosure for Fulton, and brought it down to my apartment, and we put it together. We put it in my room, and it was so big and overwhelming looking, it just seemed to symbolize the huge commitment I would have to make to yet another iguana, and I just knew I couldn't keep him. The guilt is overwhelming, especially after all the hard work everyone I know has done to help me keep him. But I am close to maxing out two credit cards and a bank account, and all I know is that I did not EVER feel this sense of not being able to handle things with Bud. It's always been a pleasure, never a burden.
>>
>>I despise those people who write bad adoption ads on Green Ig Society- you all know the ones I mean. "Hi, we REeeeeally love our Iggy, but since getting our NEW PUPPY, we JUST don't have the time to give him the attention he needs! It's not that we don't have the room or the money- We're soooo sad, but he simply doesn't fit with our decor anymore, and he's got to go!" I don't want to be one of those people. I know the situation is not the same, but that's what I feel like I'm doing.
>>
>>I have a beautiful new enclosure for him, and for now, everything will be okay. I will adjust for now, and start the adoption process on the Green Ig Society webpage. I start getting teary when I even think of taking pictures of him for the adoption page. In fact, I have been constantly on the verge of tears since Monday afternoon, when the cage got put together. How do I have any guarantee that I am not sending him someplace much worse than my apartment, even if the adopting owner says all the right things on the application? People change, become lazy, and get new puppies and stupid ideas about not having igs and babies in the same house.
>>
>>Also, if I have to keep him for years before he finds a new owner, it will only be that much harder to give him away.
>>
>>I am really heartbroken. I am overwhelmed by keeping him, and feel sick about giving him away. Anything anyone, especially rescuers, can tell me would be great.
>>
>>-Erin
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