UK Press: Jake's no lounge lizard but needs

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on January 24, 2001 at 11:52:03:

THE NORTHERN ECHO (Darlington, UK) November? 00 Jake's no lounge lizard but needs care (Neil Shaefer)
An animal trust has come up with a novel way of dealing with a surplus of iguanas in the North-East.
The Reptile Trust says so many of the animals are being abandoned by people in the region that it has not got room to house them.
So it is now "personalising" the creatures by giving them names and advertising them on the Internet, in the hope that people will come forward with a view to adoption.
The trust, which has premises in Burnopfield, near Stanley, is dealing with about 15 calls a day from people wanting their iguanas taking away.
The problem is caused because the creatures can grow to six feet in length and can be difficult to keep in the home without the right equipment.
Reptile Trust chief executive Peter Heathcote said: "The iguanas can be beautiful as babies but can cause problems as adults.
"They can be territorial, aggressive, with 70 sharp teeth, and are very expensive to keep.
"As a result, many of them are being abandoned and every single animal sanctuary in the area is full to bursting with them."
Two iguanas were left in a box outside a veterinary surgery in Darlington, on Monday.
One of them, who has been named Jake, has one of his legs missing. He is the first to have his details included on the trust's website - www.reptiletrust.com.
People can send e-mails to him at Jake@reptiletrust.com. The trust has already received responses from people living as far away as Venezuela, South America.
If it proves successful, Mr Heathcote hopes all the iguanas at its re-homing centre will be given new homes via the Internet.
"At the end of the day, iguanas can make nice pets as long as they are looked after properly," he said.
"If anyone wants one as a pet we would suggest coming into the centre so they can see what they are like as adults."

Jake's no lounge lizard but needs

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Wes, FYI... I enjoy reading these 'news' items. n/p Allys Mom 01/25/01 (0)

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: THE NORTHERN ECHO (Darlington, UK) November? 00 Jake's no lounge lizard but needs care (Neil Shaefer) : An animal trust has come up with a novel way of dealing with a surplus of iguanas in the North-East. : The Reptile Trust says so many of the animals are being abandoned by people in the region that it has not got room to house them. : So it is now "personalising" the creatures by giving them names and advertising them on the Internet, in the hope that people will come forward with a view to adoption. : The trust, which has premises in Burnopfield, near Stanley, is dealing with about 15 calls a day from people wanting their iguanas taking away. : The problem is caused because the creatures can grow to six feet in length and can be difficult to keep in the home without the right equipment. : Reptile Trust chief executive Peter Heathcote said: "The iguanas can be beautiful as babies but can cause problems as adults. : "They can be territorial, aggressive, with 70 sharp teeth, and are very expensive to keep. : "As a result, many of them are being abandoned and every single animal sanctuary in the area is full to bursting with them." : Two iguanas were left in a box outside a veterinary surgery in Darlington, on Monday. : One of them, who has been named Jake, has one of his legs missing. He is the first to have his details included on the trust's website - www.reptiletrust.com. : People can send e-mails to him at Jake@reptiletrust.com. The trust has already received responses from people living as far away as Venezuela, South America. : If it proves successful, Mr Heathcote hopes all the iguanas at its re-homing centre will be given new homes via the Internet. : "At the end of the day, iguanas can make nice pets as long as they are looked after properly," he said. : "If anyone wants one as a pet we would suggest coming into the centre so they can see what they are like as adults."

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