IN Press:Warmhearted man is planning a shelter ...

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Posted by Desiree on April 15, 2002 at 14:33:09:

Passion for reptiles prompts new venture

Warmhearted man is planning a shelter and supply shop for coldblooded creatures.

Associated Press

April 15, 2002

JASPER, Ind. -- The iguanas were busting out of the small cages. One had its tail burned from a heat pad. They just weren't taken care of, and that made Blake Buechlein angry.

So Buechlein bought the iguanas and gave them a proper home. That was about two years ago. Now the iguanas have grown to three times their original size.

When it comes to reptiles, the 21-year-old has a passion. "They're my love," Buechlein said, as a veiled chameleon perched on his shoulder. "That's for sure."

Now he hopes to provide area residents with information, supplies and support for the coldblooded companions. Buechlein is working on creating the Jasper Reptile Center. He hopes the center, which includes a Reptile Rescue Mission, will open next month.

Through the center, he hopes to provide a place where area residents can buy supplies and reptiles, but also come for information. With the rescue mission, Buechlein hopes to take in reptiles when their owners can't deal with them any more.

"You can't just feed them and water them and expect them to be all right," Buechlein said.

As a reptile grows, its environment needs to grow as well. Sometimes an animal gets aggressive and the owner just doesn't want it anymore, said Buechlein.

He works nights at Jasper Engines & Transmissions and has his days free to work with the reptiles.

Although owners might be tempted just to release the reptiles into the wild, that would mean death for many.

His father, Jim Buechlein, owner of Buechlein Quick Strip and Custom Furniture and Design, gave his son a small section of his shop.

One room is home to the reptiles. Inside the reptile room, the temperature is a drastic change from the chill of the air outside. The floor is lined with straw, and aquariums stacked three high scale every wall. A trickling waterfall empties into a 100-gallon garden pond that is home to two turtles.

The room that will someday be home to the reptile center is nearing completion. "I think it's neat," Jim Buechlein said. "As long as they don't get loose and get into my shop."

The younger Buechlein's vision is for the center to become a resource place for interested people -- and a place of refuge for reptiles.

He hopes that when someone has trouble handling reptiles, they will give him a call. If he ever gets too many reptiles to care for, Buechlein plans to start an adoption agency.

For now, he hopes that his business will take off and that he can help a few reptiles and inform the public.

But his dreams don't stop there.

"I really want to open up a zoo," he said with a smile.

Warmhearted man is planning a shelter ...

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: Passion for reptiles prompts new venture : Warmhearted man is planning a shelter and supply shop for coldblooded creatures. : : Associated Press : April 15, 2002 : : JASPER, Ind. -- The iguanas were busting out of the small cages. One had its tail burned from a heat pad. They just weren't taken care of, and that made Blake Buechlein angry. : So Buechlein bought the iguanas and gave them a proper home. That was about two years ago. Now the iguanas have grown to three times their original size. : When it comes to reptiles, the 21-year-old has a passion. "They're my love," Buechlein said, as a veiled chameleon perched on his shoulder. "That's for sure." : Now he hopes to provide area residents with information, supplies and support for the coldblooded companions. Buechlein is working on creating the Jasper Reptile Center. He hopes the center, which includes a Reptile Rescue Mission, will open next month. : Through the center, he hopes to provide a place where area residents can buy supplies and reptiles, but also come for information. With the rescue mission, Buechlein hopes to take in reptiles when their owners can't deal with them any more. : "You can't just feed them and water them and expect them to be all right," Buechlein said. : As a reptile grows, its environment needs to grow as well. Sometimes an animal gets aggressive and the owner just doesn't want it anymore, said Buechlein. : He works nights at Jasper Engines & Transmissions and has his days free to work with the reptiles. : Although owners might be tempted just to release the reptiles into the wild, that would mean death for many. : His father, Jim Buechlein, owner of Buechlein Quick Strip and Custom Furniture and Design, gave his son a small section of his shop. : One room is home to the reptiles. Inside the reptile room, the temperature is a drastic change from the chill of the air outside. The floor is lined with straw, and aquariums stacked three high scale every wall. A trickling waterfall empties into a 100-gallon garden pond that is home to two turtles. : The room that will someday be home to the reptile center is nearing completion. "I think it's neat," Jim Buechlein said. "As long as they don't get loose and get into my shop." : The younger Buechlein's vision is for the center to become a resource place for interested people -- and a place of refuge for reptiles. : He hopes that when someone has trouble handling reptiles, they will give him a call. If he ever gets too many reptiles to care for, Buechlein plans to start an adoption agency. : For now, he hopes that his business will take off and that he can help a few reptiles and inform the public. : But his dreams don't stop there. : "I really want to open up a zoo," he said with a smile.

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