GM all,
Just have a few mins but wanted to bring everyone up to par. Today, we finally have a qualified reptile vet coming to check every one of the 22 animals seized/rescued. Once they have health certificates, they will be ready to travel to be boarded with a large breeder out of state (location withheld) until final court proceedings determine what's to happen to them. That I've been told could be between 60-90 days. Ya know, all due process!
Just a note with regards to David? (Whatever his name is) and his wife.
His wife is only 23 and he's in his 40's, they are supposed to have been together for 6-7 years..do the math people before condemning her. Rememer Patty Hurst! We just hope that the officials pressing charges can get them to stick? He deserves to pay for the laws broken. Pity that there isn't a law against not being truthful? Also according to the sherrif's deputy we spoke with on the scene. There are supposed to be charges in other states, Calif and Ariz and their authorities are aware of who and what he is. They have refused to extradite him on their charges, so guess what???...Louisiana is stuck with him, THANKS CALIFORNIA FOR SENDING HIM HERE! LOL
I've been assured by the LDWF that they will do everything in thier power to insure these animals wind up in good hands as will we. Once all legal avenues are completed, they will be released to be he-homed and ads will be posted accordingly. The reason for the "out of state" until it is final is nobody has a large facility with caging to house this many large animals without massive costs in dollars and time. The animal's health and well-being is everyone's main concern.
We've been inundated with so many people emailing us and phoning us with concerns and offers to help. Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement, it is greatly appreciated. We are still short on financial funding so if anyone can spare it given the financial shortcomings of our economy, we welcome your help. Our Association is only a few months old but we have grown and still growing in membership and funds spent for this scale of rescue has overwhelmed us. My wife and I are both on disability, set income and none of our members are wealthy people but all of us in Louisiana are doing all that we possibly can.
If there is anything good that comes from such as this, it is that "you might be able to fool some of the people some of the time, but eventually the truth will emerge"!! Also, every time news breaks about snakes, it gets people to talking and guess what, some actually learn good things about them. Keep talking and help answer any questions about your reptiles that you can..education is the salvation of our hobby/industry or whatever you want to call it.
Anyone willing to wait for a reply from us is welcome to write us. We only have so many hours in a day but will try as usual to keep up with everyone.
louisiana_ark@yahoo.com is the L.A.R.K., Inc. email address.
Have to leave to help care for our charges, all 22 of them. One got out last night and met the member who has had them since Sunday, he was curled up next to his crate, hissing! LOL Not sure what we will find today, aren't Burms and retics wonderful animals! I'll try to get some photos of the animals today before they leave and share them with everyone.
Thanks and God bless,
Joe Lewis, Pres. La.A.R.K.
PS: A special thanks to Andrew Wyatt and USARK for their guidence and support throughout this whole ordeal.
Update from Louisiana Association of Reptile Keepers
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