Re: Going to become a Foster for igs~any advice?

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Posted by Ig Chick on June 21, 2001 at 13:26:54:

In Reply to: Going to become a Foster for igs~any advice? posted by Tif on June 21, 2001 at 11:03:34:

My initial answer to you is don't do it unless you are really ready to deal with the long term frustration and sometimes dissapointment of fostering iganas, rehabbing sick one and housing a whole bunch of them. That means being prepared financially and emotionally. On average it takes us anywhere from 1-6 months to place an iguana into a permanent home, more if the iguana is sickly because no one wants a sick animal so we spend the time making it as healthy as possible before the search for a home even begins. There is no fianancial assistance for us -anything we need, including vet care, is paid for out of our pocket. Once word gets around that you take these animals in -then the emails and calls start. Having to say no is one of the hardest things we do but it has become necessary. We estimated that we could have 30 fosters here at a time if we took everyone in who we were approached about. Infact, the shelter who asked us to take Skeeter last week called yesterday to ask us to take a full grown adult. It doesn't seem to matter whether we have adults or juvies, for some reason these animals are difficult to place. We're thinking it has something to do with the fact that iguanas for the most part are impulse purchase pets -very few see them the same way dogs and cats are seen and therefor don't even think abot adoption until someone mentions it.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to set limits and atainable goals. Don't take in more animals than you can handle, even when your heart is crying that you can fit just one more enclosure in the house. Learn to say no early on.

If your new friend is healthy and ready to go, I would suggest placing free adoption ads everywhere you are able to. Don't forget to remind people that are interesting in adopting this iguana that this is now his 4th placement that you know of (owner -pet store -you - new family) and make sure they are really committed to housing this animal for the rest of its life.
Also, be prepared to keep this guy for the rest of his life if a home can't be found.

Follow Ups:

Re: Going to become a Foster for igs~any advice? Tif 06/21/01 (2)
- Re: Going to become a Foster for igs~any advice? Ig Chick 06/21/01 (1)
  - Re: Going to become a Foster for igs~any advice? Hazel 06/22/01 (0)

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: My initial answer to you is don't do it unless you are really ready to deal with the long term frustration and sometimes dissapointment of fostering iganas, rehabbing sick one and housing a whole bunch of them. That means being prepared financially and emotionally. On average it takes us anywhere from 1-6 months to place an iguana into a permanent home, more if the iguana is sickly because no one wants a sick animal so we spend the time making it as healthy as possible before the search for a home even begins. There is no fianancial assistance for us -anything we need, including vet care, is paid for out of our pocket. Once word gets around that you take these animals in -then the emails and calls start. Having to say no is one of the hardest things we do but it has become necessary. We estimated that we could have 30 fosters here at a time if we took everyone in who we were approached about. Infact, the shelter who asked us to take Skeeter last week called yesterday to ask us to take a full grown adult. It doesn't seem to matter whether we have adults or juvies, for some reason these animals are difficult to place. We're thinking it has something to do with the fact that iguanas for the most part are impulse purchase pets -very few see them the same way dogs and cats are seen and therefor don't even think abot adoption until someone mentions it. : The best piece of advice I can give you is to set limits and atainable goals. Don't take in more animals than you can handle, even when your heart is crying that you can fit just one more enclosure in the house. Learn to say no early on. : : If your new friend is healthy and ready to go, I would suggest placing free adoption ads everywhere you are able to. Don't forget to remind people that are interesting in adopting this iguana that this is now his 4th placement that you know of (owner -pet store -you - new family) and make sure they are really committed to housing this animal for the rest of its life. : Also, be prepared to keep this guy for the rest of his life if a home can't be found.

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