Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently have two bearded dragons and have bred before so I know all about bearded dragon care. I was thinking about starting a rescue for bearded dragons. I don't know if it would be purely bearded dragons or include others but anyways. Near my home, their is a pet store that doesn't deal with reptiles (except turtles) but does carry mealworms/superworms and supplements. They know I own bearded dragons and are always telling me that people have called in and asked if they'll take their bearded dragon. They said that if I gave them my number, they would let me know when anyone had an animal that they no longer wanted. I have nearly 5 years of experience and have extra cages and accesories laying around. I also have the ability to get enough crickets. Would this be a good way to begin a rescue? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

This is just from my experience and 2 cents...
I have worked in rescue with many different types of critters over the past 10-15 years and have to say that the food and housing would be the least of my concerns. Many if not most of the animals that come into rescue do so because their owners were un-informed about their care requirements or got tired of them and have been neglected and are ill from that lack of care. You would have to be prepared to deal with cases of MBD at the least and most of the animals that come in I would have to say should NOT be bred! I'm a firm believer in not breeding a weak animal (genetically speaking), animals with poor temperment and animals without care to what your goal is to produce. Having said that, I applaud all of the caring breeders with beautiful animals that they have lovingly improved upon in generation after generation.

As far as getting into rescue, leaving your # at the pet store would be a good start, as long as you are prepared to do a lot of education along the way. Good luck!

Bonnie

1.0 husband
1.3 2-legged kids
1.1 maltese/husky
1.0 tabby cat
1.0 pionus parrot
0.0.1 crested gecko
1.0 bearded dragon

I have actually done this before. When I was working at one of those petstores. Everyone knew me and my fiance would take the unwanted animals, and then try to find them a good home. So we got quite a few reptiles.

The big thing to worry about is vet bills. A lot of the animals that come into your care are going to need vetrinary care. If at least not just a physical and a fecal sample (which they will all need) but medications, x-rays, bloodwork etc. This can get really expensive. Some of them will have things wrong that cant just be treated at home. It can rack up high bills, and if you couldnt manage the finances then it would be irresponsible to do it.

I am still taking in aniamls now, although in much fewer numbers, but even still. I now have a good at a vet clinic that treats exotics, which is an amazing help, i can actually afford to take everyone to the vet, lol. If there is an exotics clinic nearby you should try getting a job there...even just as a kennel person..because they all get the same discount.

You can also get your rehab lisence, which just requires reading a book and taking a test (I believe). This can allow you to claim yourself non-profit and you dont have to pay tax on anything related to the animals. It also will allow you to apply for grants if you ever wanted to later on.

It is great that you are considering this because its definately needed. But dont do it unless you can provide the best care, and whatever is needed medically with these animals. It can get overwhelming, because once people know you will take them you may get quite a lot, so you have to be prepared.

Good luck with everything!
Keep us posted
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

Hi
i also have take home some sick and neglected beardies it gave me much fun and good feeling if animal got better and i found a home.
but...
it also have some things why i am abit carefull now .
if i get a sick animal in my house then i must becareful for parasite and other things so my healthy beardies not get sick to.
and i noticed i get angry if i notice people where mean and not care for them well.
then after a while you not like the homosapieens allot .

so thats why i dicede i only do it 1 x in a year and not on a regular basis.

so what i wanna say.
it have good things and bad things so consider them wel
byeeee

www.dragoncave.nl

I would have no plan to breed them as I to agree that weak animals should never be bred. i would be able to deal with all of the health and stuff as near my home is a vet that cares for exotics.

You should come work w/ me!! I work at a dog kennel. My boss has room dedicated to reptiles. Most of them were given to us. Not just beardies to many different ones to name them all. But his dad owns a vet so that expenses is virutally nothing. He does educational progams for kids w/ them. Also since he owns a business and does educational progams he can write of almost all of the expenses at the end of the year. I have learned alot working there it's great. Cara

Really think about this, the biggest expense with running a rescue is is not food and housing, its proper medical care and medications.

Even with my background and training, I only take in four rescues at a time and still spend about $100 per rescue getting them back in shape and healthy. I have lab access, so much of the care I can do myself, but so often they need more just to rule out other problems and make sure they get the care they need. Too often we are having to rescue them from the previous rescue as they were not equipted to care for them properly.
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www.reptilerooms.com