Luton Reptile Rescue

 

News

Luton Reptile Rescue is BACK!

Although in a different location, we are in Rushden northamptonshire.It is also still Jodie, Danny, Hazel, Matt, Andy and I (Dave) rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming exotic creatures. thanks to all who provided kind words during our recent difficult period and thank you to Denise and all at Reptile Rescue Den in Bolton for being a constant inspiration to me and many others in their tireless efforts to raise the profile of the animals we love so dearly.

Over 1000 Animals rescued!!! 

We thought it was time we updated the site, this doesnt get done too often because animal care comes first, which leaves very little time to do things like this. but since we checked back over our case studies and totalled up the numbers we have rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed over 1000 exotic animals since rescuing our first snake 7 years ago. Not bad at all considering we do all this from home!

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken on one of our rescue animals, or given a donation towards our goals and even donated their time, petrol, manpower or equipment we owe you a beer.

 

 

This enclosure is an entirely live micro-habitat, the majority of the plants are south american, the moss is alive and spreading thanks to specialist lighting. This enclosure is essentially as close to the area surrounding the panama canal as is possible to attain in a captive setting. it took over a week to create, over a month to establish and the misting system is fully automatic and heavily mists the enclosure at regular daily intervals. This sort of thing may sound like a lot of work to create and maintain.... and believe us it is. But it is the very least you can do if you choose to keep an exotic pet, to give it a home from home which will encourage more natural behaviours. The tank above currently houses a group of 6 green and black poison dart frogs (Dendrobates auratus) as well as some other rescued Dendrobates.

 

Here is more Vivaria used to house rescues after their initial quarantine period, note the tank on the right contains Live plants such as Scindapsus and Bamboo as well as living moss and a Drainage medium at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. This tank currently does not house an animal as it is not fully established to provide a reptile the security it needs to thrive. although the tank does still require a fair bit of attention to aid in plant growth. this sort of set up is the perfect habitat (when fully established) for Arboreal (tree dwelling) reptile species.

And now onto some recent rescues and general animals to keep you informed of whats going on at LRR...

This poor little Chap is 'Berby' named after the berber tribes of north africa, He is a 3yr old morrocan spur thighed tortoise (Testudo graecea graecea) and has an amazing story to tell.... He originally belonged to a young woman from London, who as far as I can tell took good care of this young man. unfortunately one night towards the end of 2006 a fire broke out at their home during the night and tragically berbys owner was killed in the blaze. when the fire brigade put out the fire they found the place gutted and believe it or not, a singed and blackened...... but alive tortoise. After a trip to the vets he was found to have NO internal smoke damage whatsoever which you have to admit is quite incredible. the only real damage he appears to have suffered is to his eyes. neither of which could open when he first arrived here. Berby responded well to treatment initially but died unexpectedly some months after he arrived. We have planted a tree in our gardens to remember this brave little tortoise. 

 

 

This here is 'old gregg' the name says it all. He is a Yemen Chameleon (chameleo calyptratus) and came into our care from a friend who had rescued him and said he couldn't devote enough time to him, but they say a picture says a thousand words... look at him now! A lot of TLC and the correct environmental conditions and he is thriving! Yemen chameleons are cheap to buy in many pet shops but to set up a chameleon correctly will cost you in excess of £300 so dont think a chameleon priced at £30-40 is a bargain.... nothing is ever that easy. Chameleons are specialist animals and to keep them you need to understand so much about them even the language of colour. Chameleons are NOT a species to be taken on by new keepers. They are an extremely demanding animal. However given the correct conditions and level of care necessary, you will enjoy many years of caring for these quirky creatures.

This is Dave posing in the lounge at Luton Reptile Rescue with Ken. Ken is a Meerkat (Suricatta suricatta suricatta). Just goes to show you that it isn't just Scaly exotic creatures we adore here, its hairy ones too. We have the facilities to take on almost anything exotic to give the animals we love... the best quality of life. We have homed Skunks and many more!

R.I.P Steve Irwin

The tragic death of Steve Irwin has affected many people all over the world, especially the worldwide herpetological community. Although his work is not yet done. Steve was a huge inspiration in the setting up of Luton Reptile Rescue and Dave, Jodie and all our volunteers send their condolances to Terri, Bindi Sue & Bob and all steves Family and friends at Australia Zoo. So from us and all the rescues we know... Thank you Stevo for being such an inspiration to us all and we'll continue to raise the profile of reptiles in your honour.

Please note on our contact page we have a new telephone number, this is due to problems with our service provider and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to those who have recently attempted to contact us either by phone or e-mail.

We are now R.S.P.C.A approved !!!! and we are proud to be able to assist R.S.P.C.A Middlesex in finding new homes for abandoned Herps.

Hi, Thanks for checking out our site, We are a small rescue organisation based in Bedfordshire who liase with hobbyists all over the uk, If you have a reptile you can no longer care for then we can find your pet a new home with ourselves or someone very experienced , either way, we at luton reptile rescue operate a strict 'No kill' policy.... If an animal comes to us or someone on our register, it will be for life, it will not be sold on. We have the capability to take on almost any animal and some of the keepers on our database are able to take DWA species and are fully licenced to do so. We also operate a collection service for the cost of fuel and are able to collect animals from anywhere in the uk please just ask.  as it says at the top of the page, we are a 'non profit organisation' we actually make no money at all, the time and money spent on this venture belongs to all involved, we rely on donations when an animal is adopted, there is no set amount for this you can give as much or as little as you like, but every penny of that money goes to helping out the animals in our care.

Recent rescues

1.0 Burmese python (Python molurus bivitattus) - normal phase (and thats how we like em!) about 13ft or so in length. I personally drove a total of 7 hours to pick this stunnin fella up. The couple that had him originally looked after him for a friend who then couldn't take him back, they had him some time before making the tough decision to rehome him. 

1.1 boa constrictor imperator, Female is around the 9ft mark and is very light coloured, we are assured she is a colombian red tail however since this is just a subspecies of the imperator it makes no odds really, however she is quite large we must say. the male is about 6-7ft long and very stocky indeed. We have named them abi and reuben. they will be staying with us by request of their previous owners who still wish to visit them and hear about their progress.

'Echo' - Chocolate albino leopard gecko, Bought to us by Bedfordshire fire and recue service, has some serious health problems and is almost certainly blind.... although he is on the mend, Thanks for bringing him in ! (Bedfordshire)

0.1 Sinaloan milk snake - absolutely cracking little snake, may breed next year. No health problems at all, eats and sheds fine, excellent temprament ! (Bristol)

1.0 - Ghost Corn snake - lovely male ghost corn, soppy tame, came with the sinaloan, again perfectly healthy (Bristol) - has since been rehomed to Nerys (Thanks Nerys!)

0.1 - Normal phase Corn snake - lovely girl, was found in a rabbit run in milton keynes, gone to live with her boyfriend..... and Nerys, again many thanks for giving them a home

1.0 - Trans pecos rat snake - found in someones garden, i was alerted to this guy thanks to northamptonshire police. has since found a new home.

1.0 Pine snake - Jeff is about 8ft in length and a big softy, we got him from a couple near nottingham, he was a little overweight but now he is big and buff

0.0.1 Royal python - unsure of sex but now weighs around 2kgs and soppy as hell, good feeder, only refused one feed in 6 months. rescued from surrey. has some scars from spending too much time in a cork bark tube that was perhaps too small. heres some pics of him and some of his scars. they wont cause him any problems, and he is happy as can be now. heres some pics of Thumper....

2.0 Bearded dragons - both collected at different times, one had a very sad start to life, the other was perfectly healthy.... both called harold.... don't ask. Have since found new homes.

1.0 Green iguana - 'Jub jub' was rescued from Dunstable from completely unsuitable conditions, he has a slight case of metabolic bone disease but it's to be expected when you keep a 5ft iggy in a 2ft vivarium he now lives in a suitable enclosure and is well.

0.1 Hogg island boa - 'Lani' we drove to Gloucestershire to pick this little lady up, initially advertised as a burmese python. serious case of metabolic bone disease and requires daily treatment to relieve the discomfort and to help her move freely, she is slowly improving but will never be 100% better. heres some pictures (some people may find these upsetting, we most certainly do).

2.0 - Taiwan beauty snakes - ok, not strictly speaking 'rescues' but the keeper had them in appalling conditions so i bought them from him, got them well, and now they live happily with a breeder in wales, (flitwick)

1.0 Western hognose - 'shoes' my first ever rescue some years ago, still alive and still grumpy, he's staying with me forever! (Luton, and loving it)

Also there is some confusion with potential new homes for animals we have here. There is NO such thing as a free reptile, A donation can be made (although not essential) upon collecting an animal, this goes to help us buy equipment/food/veterinary treatment for the other animals we have here, it also helps us return costs spent on the animal in the first place. 9 times out of 10 though it will be considerably cheaper than buying an animal elsewhere, although this does not excuse unresearched 'Bargain hunters' looking to get an animal from us as a status symbol, if this is you, do not even enquire, as you will be told where to go. The point in our venture is to put unwanted animals and animals requiring special care in the hands of experienced and knowledgable keepers, although on occasion animals such as corn snakes etc may be rehomed by first time keepers providing they have done their homework and we are happy with their abilities to keep an animal. In this instance we offer permenant aftercare & advice at the click of a mouse, or merely call us anytime... were always really happy to help. We will ask to see what habitat you have at your home address for the particular animal you would like to rehome. If you do not have a habitat set up already, an animal will not be released to you. We are able to provide used vivariums and equipment in most instances although this is at a cost. We will also ask many questions regarding the animals husbandry, this is to alleviate future problems with the animal needing to be rehomed again and causing the animal unnecessary stress or illness due to husbandry errors. this is not to say that just because you have not kept reptiles before that you need not apply, We are happy to release an animal providing you can prove to us that you are able to care for it for its natural life, of course we will take an animal back if it becomes to much for you.  

If anyone from Luton or surrounding areas Keeps exotic animals of any sort and would be interested in meeting up as a group,on a monthly basis, then feel free to e-mail us and we can arrange a date and venue. We want this to be more relaxed than other herpetological societies, there will be no chairman, no board etc, just likeminded keepers having a few beers and a laugh and go to Reptile / Invert fairs etc. Already we have a lot of interest in this so don't be shy to get in touch, it won't just be me and you in a pub somewhere. And there will be no fee or obligation to join. 

And finally we are still on the lookout for reptile keepers who can help by giving a reptile or exotic of any kind a new home. please e-mail us with details of species you have experience in or are particularly keen to adopt and your details will be put on our list until a suitable animal becomes available.

Dave & Jodie @ LRR 

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