Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm a little curious. I've been researching some herp adoptions, and I am kind of suprised that most agencies wont ship their animals.
I can understand some of the reasons why. But I'm thinking, if someone is willing to pay the adoption fee, and the shipping cost, would'nt it be a plus to have the animal placed in a good home?
I would love to adopt some of the herps I see available. Unfortunately, without shipping I cannot drive the 8-10 hours or so to pick up and animal. And with the cost of gas nowadays, it would be cheaper for me to buy the animal elsewhere.
I'd pay for shipping...and an adoption fee. And it would still cost me less than going to the pet shop to buy the animal.
I dont buy one, that leaves a spot open at my house open for one I could adopt, and if I adopt, that is one more animal placed.
I should add, I'm not a young' un either. I'm 47 years old, so I am experienced enough to handle herps. And to afford the cost of shipping, adopting, then feeding and housing the animal.
So because there is no shipping, lots of animals languish while awaiting adoption.
Anyone from a rescue, or shelter care to comment?

It's definately a personal decision whether a rescue is willing to ship or not. As a rescue we take many issues into consideration before we will ship. Weather, condition of the animal, destination, date of shipment, etc. I have shipped animals to both coasts from Michigan and have never encountered a problem but I did have one bad experience when someone shipped to me from California. I've shipped everything from small Tegus to 12 pound Iguanas but haven't shipped a snake yet since the carriers that I use don't allow it.

Is there an adoption agency closer to where you live? That would solve the problem of course

What species were you interested in?

I don't run the herp rescue division of our herp society but I do know that they are quite picky on who can adopt. Nevertheless the biggest problem next to iguanas and sliders are herps that need to be taken back from people who changed there mind for one reason or other. I think that the biggest obstacle that your distance creates is one of follow-up. If something goes wrong then they have to go the 8-10 hours and correct it. So don't take offense to their decisions, of course it's not directed at you, but towards the public in general.

I primarily do dog rescue, but being a reptile enthusiast I take in iguanas from the local shelters as well. Most of the people who contact me seem to know nothing about proper reptile husbandry. I charge $20 for an iguana regardless of age. I make people fill out a questionaire to see if they understand the basic requirement. Also, I want to *see* the habitat it will be housed in to make sure its appropriate. Several people who have wanted to adopt an iguana have told me that they were going to keep it "in the attic because its hot up there" "in a fish tank" "loose in my back yard" etc. Plus, some of my rescued lizards have special medical needs and shipping would potenitally cause problems.

Iguanas are everywhere. If someone 8-10 hours from here wanted to adopt an iguana, they'd easily be able to find one close to their house.
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2 RES
1 Iguana
1 leucistic texas ratsnake
1 water dragon
1 mountain horned lizard
4 armadillo lizards
3 red sided skinks
2 Egyptian dune geckos
3 bullfrogs
1 dusky conure
3 australian shepherds
3 cats

I will ship but only after the prospective 'parent' has emailed or mailed me a copy of thier states law. I have a big ol' book of laws and ordinances on my shelf. every state is in it. There are some states that don't allow 'exotics'. I won't ship there, sorry, that gets me in trouble. Most people don't know wether thier state allows 'exotics' (i hate that they're called that too) I also want a picture of the cage that they will be keeping the animal in. A guy wanted me to give him a burm so he could let it free roam in thier house with small children. I have small children and my giants aren't even in my house, they're in my garage (that we spent 2 grand converting into a her house) If the individual is willing to pay a small adoption fee and pay shipping, and the state allows it, fine i'll ship. If any of those isn't there, i wont ship.
Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue