Lancaster Herpetological Society

Taking care of reptiles or amphibians can be a challenge, especially for those just gettings into the hobby or for those who wish to expand a collection. These challenges take place if for no other reason that these critters are so very different from ourselves. How can we tell if an animal is hunger or sick, does it have enought room or is it happy with its enviroment. All of these become an issue when keeping an animal and more so when the it doesn't have what we consider normal behavior.

There are several questions that we need to ask ourselves before we get a new animal, the first of which is how much time can I put into taking care of my new animal. While some don't need lots of attention there are others that need daily mantience just like any cat or dog would.

A second major consideration is how much space are you willing to give to this animal and for how long. People tend not to think about that cute little snake that's two feet long suddenly being twelve feet in a couple of years, or that the tortoise that will still be with you in thirty years or more. Many animals are abandoned or given up because the original owner is no longer able to take care of it due to size or changes in lifestyle.

Once you have decided on these things then you can see about how much you are willing to spend and where to get it. Some breeders are better then others for the care that they handle and raise their animals with. There is also a wonderful option of helping rescuing an animal that some one else was no longer able to look after. Forgotten Friend is a great reptile rescue here in Lancaster County that has an ever changing list of animals up for adoption.

Reptiles may seem like a fun impulse pet, but it's important to do your research before bringing one home. They may look cute when they fit in the palm of your hand as hatchlings, but then they start to grow (and grow and grow). Although some species stay small, others may grow beyond ten or twenty feet long or tip the scales at several hundred pounds! Many reptiles will outlive cats and dogs, and pet turtles and tortoises may even outlive their owners. In addition to large adult sizes and long lifespans, many reptiles require dedicated setups with expensive lights, filters, cages, outdoor areas, and other equipment. For these reasons (and many others), many pet reptiles outgrow their welcome and impulse owners decide to give them up.

This is where Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary comes in. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue and education group, Forgotten Friend helps find homes for unwanted pet reptiles and provides educational outreach in the community. Forgotten Friend gives a permanent home to dozens of unwanted reptiles, and usually has a few available for adoption at their location, listed on their main adoption page. Many more reptiles around the region are listed for adoption by their owners, on Forgotten Friend's Public Adoption Forum.