Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The world is a changin' good reptile enthusiast seemed to have disappeared or are hiding in Canada and iquiries to USA on any subject regarding reptiles even via net is met with not so friendly response ...unfortunetly this leaves much room for those that have always abused the system and will continue to have a blatant disregard for the welfare of the reptiles and animals that they purchase and sell....in the past few years I have made purchases from pet stores that have had in stock animals in difigured or dibilated condition ....I went in for supplies and did rescue purchase with no savings offered I might add. The waterdragon was the saddest she had bone disease and and missing limb. She could not be held for over a month and refused food for weeks. I have done rescue and have vet tech schooling and a life time of reptile/amphib study behind me we struggled for 3 years to keep her alive..in the end she just went to sleep and forgot to wake up leaving behind many sad freinds , an iguana also a dehydrated rescue.... still with us and recently we have purchased a 6 yr old female iquana scarred furious and defiant. ....4months later Reckless is a doll she sits under a christmas tree we put up for the rep friends in their area and she vigilantly guards the presents chasing off anyone who pesters the tree. ..until bed time when she seeks me out to go to enclosure...She is a true miracle...Its too bad that things are strained with bylaws and restrictions the bad will flourish and the good herp owners will give up....how sad..I won't though. EM(Reckless_)

You're right it's sad. The majority of pet store reptiles don't go to reptile enthusiasts, they go to impulse buyers who quickly lose interest in their new pet while it pays the price of neglect and improper care. The resulting rescue demand ends up being too high for the pet stores and shelters to handle by themselves. It's out of control.

We may have the solution though!

Our reptile rescue is working on a website upgrade that will give every reptile owner with a big heart a chance to use it! Our new interactive forums will include places for folks to list themselves as foster/adoption homes in their area. And everyone giving up a reptile will have an easy, organized forum to list their herps for adoption. Of course all of these resources will be FREE to use to reach as many reptiles as we can. I'd like to see this system replace the old-fashioned "bring it back to the pet store" method that never seems to be in the reptile's best interest.

The site we have now is just a cute informational site, but check back in the coming weeks and months as our web designer starts to unveil the new upgrades that will make it easier for every good herper to take part in the rescue process.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Now that is a great idea! Can't wait to see this plan come to reality.

i might add, while i like that people try to help injured animals, the best way to save the pet species in genetral is not to buy from a bad store! if they kill their animals, tell people! spread the word and shut them down, be sure to try and have evidence, if you can have pictures or an authority backing you up, people are more likely to agree with you. promote good reptile rescue places instead of bad bussinesses. send them your money rather than giving it to a crappy store that abuses and kills.
just my opinion, no offense intended
~jessi

First of all, if the store is that bad you should not be going in there much less purchasing ANYTHING from them. Not even feeders. Espescially not sick livestock. Its still a sale to them and as long as the money goes in the register. I am all for the support your local store thing but if the store sucks they don't deserve your support for anything.