New here, but not to forum life...:-D

[prism_wolf]

My name is Veronica - founder of a new developing rescue org. in Henry Co. located in NW TN. We do small scale rescue and usually have a few wards to care for at a time.

Right now I have:
1.0.0 Blind Willie (9 yrs old) - a ball python someone tried to "remove the eyecaps" from
1.1.0 veiled chameleons (4 mo.)
1.0.0 large iguana (9 1/2 yrs.)
1.0.0 ferret (n/a) - deaf
0.1.0 Congo African grey (34 yrs.) - pinioned, a plucker, going blind
0.1.0 curly-haired tarantula (19 yrs)
1.0.0 kitten
2.4.0 dogs

I moderate on several groups, admin on one, own two more. One is private for our local humane society which I'm also a member of. I've branched off of them to form my own. The other is public, but only just created and it's for people of West TN (From Nashville to everything west). It is not meant to be a high volume group, but it is meant for open communication for anything herp related from transport to tips. Here's a link for anyone in West TN who may be interested:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/wtn_herps/

I've been on the forums for a lot of years. Pick up a lot of great stuff in that time. I try pretty hard to go with the newest and most updated information and I hope I can just keep passing it along...:-)

Thanks for all who want to make a difference in herp care... 8).

[tattedjoe]

Hey! Im moving to TN in a few months. I love rescue work. WE'll be around Clarksville, Dover area. Know anything in there that i can get involved with?

[prism_wolf]

There is a rescue group in the Clarksville area called Reptiliacs ( http://www.reptiliacs.com ). They do a lot of rescue work and hold educational talks and such. Clarksville may have a herpetological society, too. The link no longer works so I hope it doesn't mean they no longer exist, but here's the last known info:
Clarksville Area Herpetology Society - P.O. Box 30852 Clarksville, TN 37040 (931) 551-7742

There's quite a few pet stores out that way. They need some people who have good knowledge of reptiles for sure. Went to an "expo" out there last weekend taking my big male iguana. It was really nothing more than a pet contest for cool animals. Very disappointing. The animals were fun, but I expected a huge "EXPO".

I live about 35-40 miles west Dover. You'll like it out that way... :).

[snakewrangler]

Welcome- You seem to know your stuff :)

We try to keep good info on this site for everyone to learn from :)

[prism_wolf]

Thanks snakewrangler. I grew up with the strange and exotic so I'd like to think I've learned something in all those many years... :D.

[radguyed]

hey
welcome..I would like to start a rescue here where i live in arizona,maybe you could steer me in the right direction

[prism_wolf]

Hi radguyed... ;D.

To start...hmmm...Just let the local vets know who you are beginning with the one you use regularly with your animals. The better they know you the more apt they are to refer people to you who can no longer care for their animals if they know your care is good. Be specific on what you will and will not take. Put up flyers announcing what you want to do.

LEARN TO SAY NO!!

That's a huge mistake if not learned quickly. Most of the money you will use will be your own. Don't think the donations will come rolling in. They most often don't. Don't allow yourself to get in over your head. Know your limitations and stick to them. You won't do yourself any good...and it's not rescuing if the animal goes from one bad situation into another...even though you mean well. It doesn't take long to cross the line if you don't pay attention.

Take short cuts whenever you can. Get scrap material for building supplies. Old storm windows make great cage panels...:-) Hit up home improvements stores and construction sites and check out their discards.

The sooner you can get your tax I.D. status the more options there are opened to you. In TN it costs $150 to apply every year for 3 yrs. The fourth year you earn your permanent status. This will give you tax breaks in LOTS of stores. Find out what the application process is for non-profits and apply. This is good for groceries (I buy produce for the animal with the tax break for instance) and even Office Max offers this for any kind of office supplies you might need to display items. Most retail stores have some sort of non-profit application and they don't cost anything.

Keep up with your gas mileage! You can get a tax credit for mileage used during travel time for the rescue org. We got back $600 for last year. Just keep a note pad in the vehicle and hit the mileage button. Note the miles driven for that trip.

Look online for more tips. Type in something like "starting a non-profit animal rescue" and see what pops up.

Best of luck! It's a shame people like us are needed...but I'm glad we're here to do it...:-)