| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 02/08/2013 : 19:48:06
I'm looking for some advice from any rescuers out there. Basically I'm thinking about starting a reptile rescue centre. But I'm not sure how to go about this and whether there's a way around doing this as a registered charity.
This would also mean that I'd be renting a unit. Providing homes for reps that need re-homing or are no longer wanted and then re-homing.
But I'm not sure how I'd go about this with my full time job, or whether I would need to pack it in and go at this full time.
Any advice would be helpful. I'd also look into boarding for reps too, so that I can keep the costs down.
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 03/08/2013 : 13:17:57
Thanks all for the advice. I've got a big day Monday looking around for units in central locations. Then I need to find some sort of way of raising funds. Will get in touch with the local council, national lottery funds and RSPCA. See what they recommend.
I think the biggest problem is going to be the overheads most places are around 400 PCM with all bills and rates.
Vivariums won't be an issue as I can build them cheap. I'm sure ill be able to buy equipment in bulk at low costs. Ill source rodents from a wholesaler |
| Razee |
Posted - 03/08/2013 : 09:39:36
The parting with the animals would be major problem for me.... especially if they come to you in a bad condition, and you get them well - and become attached to them in the process... knowing myself, I'd end up with a second room of all the snakes I can't part with  |
| Lee |
Posted - 03/08/2013 : 00:06:02
It's a good thing you're thinking of doing and something a lot of us would probably love to do, however it's a bold move to go full time and give up your job. The setup costs would be high and you would need a certain amount of money to keep you going for a good few months. The worst thing would be to take in a load of animals and then have to close, leaving you with problem of caring/rehoming for many potentially sick animals.
I would imagine it would be fairly slow at first and maybe not take all your time. Raising money would probably take more time than caring for the animals. Is there any way you can run it from home first?
I wish you good luck if you do go ahead. |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 02/08/2013 : 23:46:16
I have a number of rescue snakes.
The problem you may find is that they can be difficult to part with! If you do it properly its hard not to become attached to them.Lots of places like RSPCA etc,tend to 'farm out'the exotics,either to sympathetic hobbyists or other charities/Zoo's.It is expensive to keep a lot of herps and feed them properly.IT may be worth your while to link up with specialist keepers that could help you in this way.
When you sell/rehome any animal you now have a Legal obligation to provide backup/support for 6 mths-this forms part of the licensing laws for livestock.So you have the prospect of them being boomeranged back in worse condition than they started out in.Rigorous vetting of new owners is vital to prevent this.
I'm not trying to be offputting-it is rewarding working with rehabilitated animals-just highlighting a few issues that can occur.
You could keep a list of approved potential owners-notify them when the type of animal they are looking for comes in,and then they could'sponsor'(meet all the bills etc.)until the animal is fit and well to go home with them.That would certainly demonstrate commitment
Hope this helps and good luck |
| Razee |
Posted - 02/08/2013 : 21:44:23
It probably depends whether you'd run it as charity, or finance it yourself. There's a wildlife hospital near me, and they're not a charity. The gentleman finances it all himself, and runs it himself, with help of volunteers. He doesn't want to be a charity, as there's so much paperwork involved.
Have you thought of how would you manage quarantine? Some snakes coming in would be neglected and ill, and many illnesses are very contagious... That's the not so nice bit... Vets bills.
I'm not trying to put you off, by the way, if you were local to me, I'd be there, volunteering all the time... Just pointing out some potential pitfalls.
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| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 02/08/2013 : 20:52:17
Well if your near me i'd happily help! aha
If you go by donations would it not class as a charity and therefore need to be registered? :S im not sure how it works.
Unless you get the right amount of staff help then you would be at t full time and would have to choose between your job and the centre, But with the right amount of staff turn over you could mabye go half and half, part time in both areas.
If you put a fee on taking in animals that are no longer wanted, then a donation fee's, and boarding daily/weekly fee's that would help with cost. The rest could either go by donation or your own pocket id assume.
Just a couple thoughts :) |
