Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks to this forum and the post from Brian about SFCRC, I have called my local Animal Control and told them I would try to help with the reptiles they get in.
The last time I was there, they had an iguana they were trying to adopt out for $5.00! It was an almost full grown adult. They told me they had a hard time adopting those guys since no one wants adults. I have three acres here in North Central Florida. We have the place to keep several Green Iguanas. I have a shed I can close in and with help, wire it for electricity.
My husband is doing some fund raising for his message boards, and I came up with something to help raise funds for this project. I hope that with the idea, and possibly some donations (like the gentleman is doing in Palm Beach) I can raise enough money to build enclosures, wire the shed, and pay for medical bills so that I can foster/adopt the iggs from the shelter and find homes for them.
I have come to see the need for such things. While I would LOVE to do this for dogs and cats, the plight of the Iguanas in south Florida has REALLY touched my heart and made me angry that people would turn them loose to die due to lack of proper nutrition and outside conditions!
Our winters are going to start getting cold again. How are these wonderful creatures supposed to survive? What IF a hurrican blew through here?
Okay, down from my soap box I go! Thank you for letting me rant!

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Not at all (Ranting). The most sad scenario is the GREAT number hit by automobiles. We saw one that was taken to the Free animal clinic previously mentioned that had a head injury from by car. The Pain must have been tremendous! And yes, the cold. Especially in the more Northern part of the sate, it is very taxing on these poor animals. Some Snow birds deliberately bring there unwnated Ig's down here to release-thinking it's the best thing for them!

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

I am angered by those who don't do ANY kind of research on the pets they want. I looked into Iguanas before I decided I wanted one. It was NOT an easy decision even though RC was free. There was the type of food to consider, how big he will get at full grown, his needs as far as heat, sun, etc. They are MUCH harder to care for than my Ball Pythons!
I digress again! Thank you for the work you and the SFCRC are doing! Please pass on my regards to all who work there!

That sounds like an awesome idea, certinally nothing ive ever not dreamed about. I was informed that our local park has several large iguanas who come down and bask-the only 'wild' iguana I have personally seen was half an iguana, on a highway.
Id love to try and do anything I can to catch them (I was also told they they come down and bask near the roads and trails) but I couldnt keep any more then my 1.

Sarah in FL

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Thank you so much for the kind words. Your message will be passed on.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Brian --

Believe or not we get Sulcata in at Turtlehomes that are found wandering around here on Long Island. People just dump them when they can no longer want them and seem to think they can fend for themselves (or even hibernate in the dead of winter for that matter).

Sliders are another epidemic sized situation like this. I have several turtle species that were caught in waters way out of their normal range.
A huge Eastern River cooter that was found in waters near Philidelphia. She had some how managed to over winter sucessfully but it took it's toll on her. I have been working with her since springtime and is just now the normal weight of animal that has been out of hibernation for a month or so.

Gators found in Staten Island waters or Central Park.

The sad fact of the matter is you can take any animal from a Lion to a Hissing Cockroach and for everyone being treated humanely and kept as a beloved pet there are dozens being mistreated.

I have an aviary full of parrots that have histories that would bring tears to your eyes. Just very sad!! Of course -- I never say "How can people do this to these poor creatures?" After all -- look what we do eachother.

Okay who's next on the soapbox?

Steve

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Truer words have not been spoken. Yes, Very sad. It's no wonder N.Y. animal laws are getting so strict. People's callousness or outright abusiveness are making it harder for everybody.

If released and not escaped, one has to wonder what people are thinking releasing Geocheleone sulcata in a Northern clime like Long Island. The Answer: They are bearly above the knuckle walking stage.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Brian --

One has to wonder what anyone is doing OWNING a Sulcata in a climate like New York.

We have fosterhomes here that go to great lengths to keep them happy and healthy and it is a tremendous amount of work. Ultimately -- the fosters send them out to warmer climates when the space becomes available.

Sulcata should not be sold here. They cannot handle this climate and it is nearly impossible to house them successfully indoors once they reach sizes in excess of 30lbs. They eat just like a horse AND so they do something else just like a horse too!! Imagine having to clean that up every day in your home while they are burrowing into your sheetrock and mowing things down. Yet people still insist on buying them because they think it is cool to have one and then .. we end up having them dumped when the house starts getting destroyed.