Help me save these animals-PLEASE

[Iguanagirl8662]

Okay this is a long story but I need help.

I go to my old high school and help out my old teacher with the fish, turtles, lizards and snakes that we get or have. We had a girl last year who work at this tiny aquarium like place and ask if she could keep one of the owners boas at the school during the winter. We said sure. When we got the boa it had a terrible respiratory infection and was skinny. I told the owner he said the snake was to small to go to a vet so I took care of him and he got better. I paid for all the snakes food for 10 months bought all kinds of new stuff for his tank. Then the guy came to take him back I asked if I could buy him and he said no but I could have him for school again.

Now I have been to this guy's "Aquarium", he has 3 moray eels in a 6ft tank that is only 1 ft wide, skinny bearded dragons, a chameleon that has not shed properly and it's skin is black and dead, it is also skinny, 4 large iguanas that are skinny and in a small tank, atleast 5 turtles in a pond with no uv lights or basking lights, tons of snakes with no heat, and 3 large alligators in a small pen with a pool a little bigger then my bath tub.

He also has snakes in the basement (with no heat in the winter). I saw these snakes today and one had mouth rot, others had flies in their tanks, all the tanks smelled. He had 2 baby igs with no uv light or heat and were being fed brown dry food.

This place is worse then it sounds, it's really bad and I've contacted the SPCA they came down and talked to me, and were investigating then dropped it. I emailed the wildlife fish and game and even told them I had pictures I could send them and they did nothhing. I don't know what to do. I want to help these animals and save the snake I fell in love with. I'm at a loss I don't know what more I can do. I'm really upset I feel so bad they are all suffering and I saw they snake I took care of and went to pet him and the girl said "oh that isn't Caine(that was the snake)" when I knew it was and he looked at me with this look like he was asking me to save him(I know I'm crazy).

What can I do I'm so upset I hate being helpless to save these animals. Who can I go to that will help?

 

[Rudy]

Robbery is always good... well not good but you know what I mean. You already did everything I could think of... I am sorry to hear about your snake though! I hope the others will be safe soon as well

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

Robbery is always good... well not good but you know what I mean. You already did everything I could think of... I am sorry to hear about your snake though! I hope the others will be safe soon as well

If no one will do anything, when he gives the one snake back to us for the winter it will "accidentally escape". It's basically mine I care for it 10 months out of the year while he has it for 2 and I pay to feed it.

This is just really killing me that I cant help the others.

 

[Sarynkitamo]

As far as state/provincial stuff goes, I think if you call the cops on him about it (mistreatment of animals) they're bound to invesigate or make sure that the right people do so. Continue trying to get your local SPCA, Herp Society or whoever you can think of to help.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

As far as state/provincial stuff goes, I think if you call the cops on him about it (mistreatment of animals) they're bound to invesigate or make sure that the right people do so. Continue trying to get your local SPCA, Herp Society or whoever you can think of to help.

We don't have a herp society and the SPCA is useless around here, it's been almost a year since I contacted them. I might just try the police but the problem is none of these people no anything about reptiles and are not going to liten to a tiny little 19 year old kid.

 

[Sarynkitamo]

What state do you live in?

And they'll listen, but that depends on how loud you shout to be heard. You might have to look into finding someone who's older and knows more about herps in general to help, but if your complaints are valid then there shouldn't be any reason why they wouldn't try to do something.

Try the SPCA again? Call them every day if you have to. If these reptiles are living in deplorable conditions then you need to do whatever you can within the boundaries of the law to make sure that they're not suffering.

 

[LBoz]

When all else fails, alert the media. They love those shocking human interest stories. Call the tv station and ask to speak to a reporter, tell them you've got a scoop for them, describe the conditions, offer your photos and I'm willing to bet they'll send someone in there to check it out and report on it. You'll have herp owners crawling out of the woodwork coming in to rescue those animals. I'm not kidding about this, tv stations love this stuff.

Good luck, and kudos for taking some action against this guy.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

What state do you live in?

And they'll listen, but that depends on how loud you shout to be heard. You might have to look into finding someone who's older and knows more about herps in general to help, but if your complaints are valid then there shouldn't be any reason why they wouldn't try to do something.

Try the SPCA again? Call them every day if you have to. If these reptiles are living in deplorable conditions then you need to do whatever you can within the boundaries of the law to make sure that they're not suffering.

I live in NJ.

I'll try the SPCA again, and as far as people who know more then me, honestly there is only maybe two people my vet and a guy that does wildlife rescue which I will be talking to him soon.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

When all else fails, alert the media. They love those shocking human interest stories. Call the tv station and ask to speak to a reporter, tell them you've got a scoop for them, describe the conditions, offer your photos and I'm willing to bet they'll send someone in there to check it out and report on it. You'll have herp owners crawling out of the woodwork coming in to rescue those animals. I'm not kidding about this, tv stations love this stuff.

Good luck, and kudos for taking some action against this guy.

I'll try that if nothing else works.


Thanks for all the replies it's hard enough watching these animals suffer but it's worse when you took care of one of them and fell in love with it.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

Here is Caine and I'll post the pics I have of the sick animals when I get them off my phone.

 

[Rudy]

Oh he is pretty! It's a shame he is trapped in a house that has really low quality pet housing. I would have let it "accidentally escape" in the first place if I really fell in love with it. And if he says "Well you owe me $100" I'd be like "Okay here you go" Then after he leaves, let Caine slither around in his new permanent home. But maybe there was a purpose for him taking Caine and not letting you buy him. Fate can be wierd or whatever you believe in. There was a purpose and I think the purpose was so rescue the other suffering animals there. I wish you luck in resolving this.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

Oh he is pretty! It's a shame he is trapped in a house that has really low quality pet housing. I would have let it "accidentally escape" in the first place if I really fell in love with it. And if he says "Well you owe me $100" I'd be like "Okay here you go" Then after he leaves, let Caine slither around in his new permanent home. But maybe there was a purpose for him taking Caine and not letting you buy him. Fate can be wierd or whatever you believe in. There was a purpose and I think the purpose was so rescue the other suffering animals there. I wish you luck in resolving this.

Yea, well if nothing is done by winter then I will do that. The reason I didn't was because I didn't want the teacher to get in trouble for it.

 

[Stregone]

I'd refuse to give the snake back if I were you. Not saying its a wise decision, just that its what I would do, lol. I think you have some legal ground to stand on if you have been caring for the snake out of your own pocket for so long, but IANAL.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

Well I emailed the SPCA again we will see what they have to say.


As for not giving the snake back, the reason I did let it go back is because if I took it it would make the teacher look bad since he was the one responsible for it, but he is my boss where I work and I'm going to talk to him and tell him we have to make the snake "disappear" this winter and if he makes us pay for it I will give him the money. I just can't let him go back, if I can't save them all atleast I can save one.

 

[Tracee]

When all else fails, alert the media. They love those shocking human interest stories. Call the tv station and ask to speak to a reporter, tell them you've got a scoop for them, describe the conditions, offer your photos and I'm willing to bet they'll send someone in there to check it out and report on it. You'll have herp owners crawling out of the woodwork coming in to rescue those animals. I'm not kidding about this, tv stations love this stuff.

Good luck, and kudos for taking some action against this guy.

I have to second this. My mum had a problem (very different to yours, so I won't divulge) that you would have hoped and expected the police and other appropriate bodies would take action against. They were fobbed off for years.

As soon as the media got wind of it there was uproar, people from magazines and even national newspapers were sending telegrams (seriously!) and knocking on my mum's door dying to speak with her. The story was everywhere you looked for the next week. It caused so much of a stink the police had to finally intervene after 5 years of saying they couldn't.

Bakc to the point: It's amazing what some publicity will do. If you've exhaused all other options, call the journalists in

 

[tricksterpup]

As far as state/provincial stuff goes, I think if you call the cops on him about it (mistreatment of animals) they're bound to invesigate or make sure that the right people do so. Continue trying to get your local SPCA, Herp Society or whoever you can think of to help.

Herp societies can not do anything about this. I am on a Board of Directors and really a herp society is just a club. They have no power or authority over any one.

Ok, the only way to report this guy, I assume he has a petshop? correct? If this is his personal home then check your local laws on Exotics. In some cities its against the law to keep those animals or he may need a permit.

Now if this guy is a petstore. I am very confused by your posts, not sure if this is a shop or a store or just some yahoo. But you can contact the city and tell them the animals are living in horrible conditions. If this is a store.
Some times the city will send out someone possibly their health and food inspectors to investigate the claims. You need to make a call and make a formal complaint.

The last thing I could think of is take of if this is a private matter not with a store. Then take him to small claims court. At least you can figure out some monetary some to get back from him.

Finally, If I rehabbed an animal and that person wanted it back after I got it healthy again, I would have told them to F off. You had every right to tell them this animal was in bad condition and you were going to keep it. You spent your money and time healing this animal. You are not a vet and don't do charity work.


But in all actuality there is not much you can do. Let it go and count this animal to be in bad hands.
Your a big kid now, its time to face up you can not save everything.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

Herp societies can not do anything about this. I am on a Board of Directors and really a herp society is just a club. They have no power or authority over any one.

Ok, the only way to report this guy, I assume he has a petshop? correct? If this is his personal home then check your local laws on Exotics. In some cities its against the law to keep those animals or he may need a permit.

Now if this guy is a petstore. I am very confused by your posts, not sure if this is a shop or a store or just some yahoo. But you can contact the city and tell them the animals are living in horrible conditions. If this is a store.
Some times the city will send out someone possibly their health and food inspectors to investigate the claims. You need to make a call and make a formal complaint.

The last thing I could think of is take of if this is a private matter not with a store. Then take him to small claims court. At least you can figure out some monetary some to get back from him.

Finally, If I rehabbed an animal and that person wanted it back after I got it healthy again, I would have told them to F off. You had every right to tell them this animal was in bad condition and you were going to keep it. You spent your money and time healing this animal. You are not a vet and don't do charity work.


But in all actuality there is not much you can do. Let it go and count this animal to be in bad hands.
Your a big kid now, its time to face up you can not save everything.

No this is not a pet store it is an Aquarium on the Wildwood Boardwalk in NJ. He has fish, reptiles and monkeys.

I have made a formal complaint and have actually talk to on the phone and in person to an investigator from the SPCA and they eventually dropped the case without even going to the place.

And when he came to get it I wasn't there and did not know he was coming to get it, he just showed up and took it.

And as for there is not much I can do, yes there is I just have to find the right people who will listen. And yes I understand I'm a "big kid" but that does not mean that this guy should be allowed to continue making these animals suffer and I will not just let it go, because of people with your mentality animals continue to suffer. If people acted on things like this and didn't ignore them then they wouldn't be in this condition.

 

[tricksterpup]

First, I am not trying to fuel an argument here.

No this is not a pet store it is an Aquarium on the Wildwood Boardwalk in NJ. He has fish, reptiles and monkeys.

I have made a formal complaint and have actually talk to on the phone and in person to an investigator from the SPCA and they eventually dropped the case without even going to the place.

And when he came to get it I wasn't there and did not know he was coming to get it, he just showed up and took it.

And yes I understand I'm a "big kid" but that does not mean that this guy should be allowed to continue making these animals suffer and I will not just let it go, because of people with your mentality animals continue to suffer.

One you have no clue of my mentality when working with animals. I typically rescue and pick up animals from Humane societies. I have even fostered and rehabbed many of them before being placed to homes for adoptions.

Problem is your are going up against a noted business in an area that is well known for Tourist. I am assuming you are talking about Seaport Aquarium.

If you made an official complaint to the City and the SPCA well that is all you can do at this point. There is no magic involved. Have you delivered printed copies on your phone to the agent you were working with?

And as for there is not much I can do, yes there is I just have to find the right people who will listen. If people acted on things like this and didn't ignore them then they wouldn't be in this condition.

Problem is, you need to give them hard evidence before you can accuse a business in a high tourist area to the authorities before they will listen. With out your evidence its just hear-say. And if you are the only person making a complaint, there is nothing to go on.
You might be able to get the Media to listen like a TV News reporter but then again its not going to be easy.

And if those photos you took with your Camera is evidence you many not want to post them here or any where on line. It may compromise any legal case they would have on him at this time.

 

[norm]

Herp societies can not do anything about this. I am on a Board of Directors and really a herp society is just a club. They have no power or authority over any one.

But in all actuality there is not much you can do. Let it go and count this animal to be in bad hands.
Your a big kid now, its time to face up you can not save everything.

This is true. Iguanagirl, the longer you are around the more you will see of this stuff. Eventually you will shy away from aquariums and pet stores and stick to reputable breeders and friends.

There are tons and tons of guys like this one and the police have alot to do in a day. Mistreated reptiles are at the bottom of their list.

 

[Rudy]

It is problems like this that make me wonder why we even HAVE animal cruelty laws...