Re: here's a long reply

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Posted by IGUANA JOE on May 11, 2000 at 13:17:22:

In Reply to: To Rescue, or Not to Rescue....long, but please respond posted by Rob Jenkins on May 11, 2000 at 09:13:43:

Wow, now that's some dilemma!
What you're doing is very noble, and many of us do wish to do the same often, yet we don't have the space or $ to do so.
The thing is, you seem a bit concerned on the costs. besides getting all the equipment etc., you'll have to build a nice cage, and feed it right, supplementing its diet.
Also, sanitation is a big expense with reptiles,
since feces are to be removed immediatly after defecation.
Some people clean from every other day, to once a week, which is disgusting.

In conclusion, i am not really sure.
With so many other animals in the house, it is hard to properly care for such a young iguana.
Also think: saving one iguana today, still means that ~100 will die anyway also due to neglection.
This doesn't mean that it is useless to rescue them, but if there are so many doubts in play, things get complicated.

Tell you what, there are MANY good iguana rescue centers in the US. You can "REHABILITATE" it 'til the animal is back to normal health. THEN, you can ship it to one of these rescue centers, where they can provide good care, and find it someone who has no difficulties caring for it in the long run.
This is a Win-Win option.
If you do otherwise wish to care for it personally, we wish you good luck!

Any other questions, just post'em up!

Ig Joe

: My Background. I have no experience keeping an iguana. I've held them before, but never owned one. I'm mainly into Leopard and Fat Tail Geckos and like snakes, but don't currently own one. I've only got 1.1 Fat Tailed Geckos, 1.0 Leopard Gecko, a beagle, Shiba Inu, and too many guppies to count anymore. (a virtual zoo, I know) I've been keeping and breeding geckos for over a year.

: Here's my dilemma: I'm in the Army, and have recently been assigned to Japan and will be here for about 2 1/2 yrs. My wife just got a volunteer position at the vet on post and a grade school teacher brought in the class iguana (and gave it up). They thought it was injured, but the vet determined it's alright, just needs better diet. They were feeding it some collared greens and some type of unidentified reddish powder.?

: The vet tech can't keep it in her barracks room forever, and is asking us if we want to take it in. I don't have an enclosure, but she may let us use her 20gal aquarium for the time being. She tells me it's about 6-8" STV length, still young. If I get it, I'll probably try to build a PVC/mesh enclosure until I can get the money to build a bigger wood one, if that's necessary. I understand that I'll need a UV light and heat source, so I'll get those as soon as I can; probably this weekend(stuff is expensive here, and there's no herp shops in the immediate vicinity). I've been reading up on their dietary requirements and don't think that will be a problem.

: My main feeling about this is that I don't want the animal to get neglected, or whatever they might have to do with it. I would like to take it in, and continuously look for another home for it(sorta like a reptile rescue). It may be difficult, due to people being here for such a short time(usually 3 yrs), but I've got 2 1/2 yrs to find someone, and I'll also look for persons on the local economy.

: Please let me know what you all think of this; good, bad, or otherwise...

: Thank You.

Follow Ups:

Japan Contact - Yamanouchi Iguanamomma 05/11/00 (2)
- Re: Japan Contact - Yamanouchi Rob Jenkins 05/11/00 (1)
  - i got him Rob Jenkins 05/15/00 (0)

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Comments:
: Wow, now that's some dilemma! : What you're doing is very noble, and many of us do wish to do the same often, yet we don't have the space or $ to do so. : The thing is, you seem a bit concerned on the costs. besides getting all the equipment etc., you'll have to build a nice cage, and feed it right, supplementing its diet. : Also, sanitation is a big expense with reptiles, : since feces are to be removed immediatly after defecation. : Some people clean from every other day, to once a week, which is disgusting. : In conclusion, i am not really sure. : With so many other animals in the house, it is hard to properly care for such a young iguana. : Also think: saving one iguana today, still means that ~100 will die anyway also due to neglection. : This doesn't mean that it is useless to rescue them, but if there are so many doubts in play, things get complicated. : Tell you what, there are MANY good iguana rescue centers in the US. You can "REHABILITATE" it 'til the animal is back to normal health. THEN, you can ship it to one of these rescue centers, where they can provide good care, and find it someone who has no difficulties caring for it in the long run. : This is a Win-Win option. : If you do otherwise wish to care for it personally, we wish you good luck! : Any other questions, just post'em up! : Ig Joe : : : My Background. I have no experience keeping an iguana. I've held them before, but never owned one. I'm mainly into Leopard and Fat Tail Geckos and like snakes, but don't currently own one. I've only got 1.1 Fat Tailed Geckos, 1.0 Leopard Gecko, a beagle, Shiba Inu, and too many guppies to count anymore. (a virtual zoo, I know) I've been keeping and breeding geckos for over a year. : : Here's my dilemma: I'm in the Army, and have recently been assigned to Japan and will be here for about 2 1/2 yrs. My wife just got a volunteer position at the vet on post and a grade school teacher brought in the class iguana (and gave it up). They thought it was injured, but the vet determined it's alright, just needs better diet. They were feeding it some collared greens and some type of unidentified reddish powder.? : : The vet tech can't keep it in her barracks room forever, and is asking us if we want to take it in. I don't have an enclosure, but she may let us use her 20gal aquarium for the time being. She tells me it's about 6-8" STV length, still young. If I get it, I'll probably try to build a PVC/mesh enclosure until I can get the money to build a bigger wood one, if that's necessary. I understand that I'll need a UV light and heat source, so I'll get those as soon as I can; probably this weekend(stuff is expensive here, and there's no herp shops in the immediate vicinity). I've been reading up on their dietary requirements and don't think that will be a problem. : : My main feeling about this is that I don't want the animal to get neglected, or whatever they might have to do with it. I would like to take it in, and continuously look for another home for it(sorta like a reptile rescue). It may be difficult, due to people being here for such a short time(usually 3 yrs), but I've got 2 1/2 yrs to find someone, and I'll also look for persons on the local economy. : : Please let me know what you all think of this; good, bad, or otherwise... : : Thank You.

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