Reptile & Amphibian Forums

.... I *finally* got my paperwork filed today to become a 501c3 organization!! Every year I've planned to do it, and every year it hasn't gotten done. (Sounds like my plans to visit Daytona, too.... hmmm.....) Anyway, it's done, and now I sit and wait for the state and then the feds to approve it, take my money, and give me the thumbs up.

Woohoo!!

Oh, my new mission statement:

Virginia Reptile Rescue exists to:

-Act as a rescue organization for herptiles that have been injured, neglected, mistreated or are otherwise unwanted. This entails:
a) providing temporary homes for herptiles in need, and
b) finding appropriate new homes for those herptiles
-Educate the public about herptiles.
-Promote awareness of proper husbandry and maintenance practices for herptiles.
-Promote environmental conservation, especially related to herpetological concerns
-Promote captive breeding as the best source of pet-trade herptiles, while recognizing that certain species must be obtained from the wild in order to maintain genetically sound captive breeding programs
-Protect the rights and represent the interests of individuals to maintain, breed, and sell herptiles in a responsible manner.
-Provide assistance to authorities in public safety and community leaders with regards to questions about reptile and amphibian ownership and identification of unknown animals
===========================================

Any comments? Suggestions? Changes I should make?

BTW, I'll be wandering down in Daytona, if you see me, say hello!
-----
Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

I am presuming (don't want to assume..lol) That the license number you are referring to is to become a recognized rescue shelter? thus being given the benefits such as tax breaks etc since you are a non profit org? Am I correct? just want to know if I am congratulating you on the proper thing...lol

Good luck with it all.
-----
Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

No, this paperwork just makes VARR a legal non-profit corporation. In Virginia, the only way to become an "animal shelter" is to have a separate building not in a residential zone. Since my rescue is operated out of my home, they will not recognize me as an "animal shelter". Instead, I am a "home-based rescue", but must still complete the paperwork for the state at the end of each year stating how many animals I took in, how many were placed, etc. It's kinda funny, because they don't have the infrastructure set up to track anything other than cats and dogs, so my filling out the forms is really meaningless.

Anyway, this paperwork simply means that donations will be tax-deductible, and that the rescue will be a legal entity of its own.

Thanks for asking!
-----
Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

The Hypo says hello.Hope the BRB is doing well.
Tim

Glad to hear the hypo is doing well!! I look forward to watching this little guy grow up. He's so cute!

Thanks,

Bonnie

no post
-----
Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Glad to hear it! You're mission statement sounds great.
Lora

And thanks to all the folks who have adopted from VARR in the last 5 years, and especially to those who helped with the large group rescue this past winter. This would not have been possible without people willing to adopt the animals, and trust that they were getting what they thought. That includes several folks from this list, many of whom are not in Virginia, and just took the leap of faith...

My goal is to eventually open a regular stand-alone facility that will also function as a reptile zoo. I am just starting my Master's degree from George Mason U. in Zoo and Aquarium Leadership, so in four years you'll hear another big "HOORAY!" from me. We'll see what happens after that.

Anyway, thanks again to all those who support reptile rescue - doesn't have to be mine - any of them.
-----
Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

I'm not sure what it means but you sure do seem excited about it, so I assume it is a good thing LOL. Just kidding. See ya tomorrow
-----
Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

At this point I've cancelled my reservations for the hotel I was staying at... Driving 12 hours to get to an empty show wasn't going to be fun. I may change my mind in the morning. Depends on what the buzz is about the show. But as of now, I'm officially disgruntled...

-----
Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

Oh No what have you heard that I have not, (you tend to be a bit more connected then I am LOL). Are a lot of the vendors pulling out or just people not going because of the storm?
-----
Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

I called Adam's Mark and the Ocean Center, and while both confirmed that it was "still on" (as of yesterday), they both agreed that it was quite possible, depending on the storm track, that it could get cancelled mid-day. Combine that with all the airport delays, and the timing of the arrival of the storm, and I just felt like it was way too big a gamble to drive 12 hours down.

So, now I'm at home, feeling miserable and jealous of those closer to the show. I hope it turns out to be a good show for ya'll, but if it does, I'll feel even worse.

Go have fun, I'll be there next year!!

-----
Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org