Hello,

My boyfriend has been keeping reptiles for 20 years and has got me hooked! Recently, we found out the local reptile rescue in our area closed for financial reasons. After lengthy discussions and research we decided we wanted to find a way to help. We are starting our own rescue on a very small scale with hopes of expanding in the future. I have been searching online for a place to get some support (not financial, just my sanity) and advice. I am really hoping this forum is the place!

Right now, our focus has been lizards, turtles, tortoises, and amphibians. I am not a fan of snakes but they are growing on me so we may branch out once we have more space. Our current rescues are these:

A crested gecko with an injured arm. She (Gretchen) wasn't so much of a rescue as much as the breeder couldn't use her and didn't want to euthanize.

A Sulcata tortoise named Harry (age 7 or so.) His family had to give him up for financial reasons but they still really care for him and contact us now and again to see how he is. He has a great personality.

A sulcata who was abandoned at the indoor greenhouse of a local zoo. A gardener found her wandering around eating exotic plants. They think someone must have slipped her in under a coat. Someone painted some spots on her shell. She's very shy.

I've been hoping to get some advice on rescuing from someone with experience. Here are a few questions I have but any advice would be great:

1. How do you get your name out there so people can find you?
2. How do you deal with people who give you a big sob story then ask you to pay them a "re-homing fee" because they've put a lot of money into the animal? This happened to us recently.
3. How do you say no to the ones you know you can't take? We have very limited space.
4. How do you re-home them to good homes?

Thanks so much!

Firstly welcome to the forum.

Rescuing is very much hard work but can be very rewarding. Good luck!

1. How do you get your name out there so people can find you?

I used google and the other good search engines so people could search the net to find us, using key words helps alot. Then you get your details in any 'free' directory you and finally word of mouth never costs anything.

2. How do you deal with people who give you a big sob story then ask you to pay them a "re-homing fee" because they've put a lot of money into the animal? This happened to us recently.

Simply reply with... Sorry we do not buy animals we rescue and rehome, all of our funds go directly into the rescue. Stick with this as if they was you to rescue the animal then they will hand the animal over. Often people approach rescues with the idea of making a quick sale.

3. How do you say no to the ones you know you can't take? We have very limited space.

You have to decide right from day one which animals that you can or cannot take on. Everyone is limited on space to some degree but you have to firmly stick with your decision, it is your rescue and you make the rules. So if it's a 20ft python or an iguana you simply sorry we don't have the space or simply say your full and cannot take another in.

4. How do you re-home them to good homes?

Often with the means of the internet, do home checks where possible and if not enquire that they are knowledgable and get them to provide a photo with a current newspaper in it so you know its recent or the vivarium / housing. Ask for a reference from their current reptile vet or an employee. There are various ways, also getting a rehoming policy written up for them to sign is also a good idea.