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Posted 12/19/2024.
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I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?
So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.
But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.
Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.
I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.
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Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.
And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
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Responding to email notices you receive.
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In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
Opening a Reptile Rescue in NE Ohio
- Thread starter Herps Alive!
- Start date
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
Warning: Please do not use this thread to solicit donations or advertise
Herps Alive!
New member
Sorry. Won't happen again.BTW- What's up with e-mail notifications? Several posts and responses without.
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
I don't know what your individual settings are; so it is difficult to respond to that question.
(I turned those of years ago because I found them annoying.)
You can check your notification settings in your User CP.
(I turned those of years ago because I found them annoying.)
You can check your notification settings in your User CP.
Herps Alive!
New member
After 9 months and gong more than $10,000 over budget to renovate and meet building codes, we have passed our final inspection and can open to the public. Moved in 15 more turtles and about 40 more snakes today. The last 20 snakes and a few lizards go in tomorrow, which will be our first day. Combined with the confirmation from the IRS of our 501(c)3 public charity status, a pretty good holiday season so far. Please visit if you are in the area.
Herps Alive!
New member
Averaging two rehomes a day so far despite just word of mouth and odd hours due to Xmas and New Year's. Normal hours start Sunday. Today some decent coverage - http://www.cleveland.com/lyndhurst-..._constrictors_burmese_pytho.html#incart_river
Herps Alive!
New member
Quick update. SO far we have found forever homes for almost 60 herps and have found sponsors for another 18. Unfortunately, we have taken in 65 new surrenders with twelve more scheduled this week.
acecurl16
Member
Don't forget to let me know when you are in Boston/Providence area and send me updated adoption list .. you should have my email.
great job Keith!
Herps Alive!
New member
Thank you April. And thank you Alan for your previous adoptions. E-mail is still on file.
Herps Alive!
New member
Herps Alive!
New member
Quick update - In a bit less than six months since opening, we have found forever homes for 112 herps! We have taken in 148 during that time. We continue to operate at a deficit, but income is increasing and we anticipate operating at or near break even status by Sept 1. Then we can work on the accumulated debt. We are in the process of expanding our (fee-based) educational offerings,, which will also help.
MeadCountyRats
New member
Any updates?
Herps Alive!
New member
Thanx for asking - we have been so busy I have not had time to post. We have covered all expenses the past two months and hope to start paying down the huge debt load we took on to make this a reality. 180 rehomes and 275 intakes this year. Starting to get stronger support, both morally and financially from many areas - other rescues and humane agencies; local vets; pet stores and from the herp community.
We are closing in on 50 volunteers, although a cadre of about 12-15 do most of the work. We have an outreach coordinator who does most of our off-premises events; a vet who volunteers half a day a week and three (soon to be four) volunteer managers who can run things when I am presenting or doing outreach.
We have a few issues with the landlord and a few more with the city regarding electrical (things they initially approved, they have changed their minds on) so we have a couple grand in extra electrician expenses coming, I fear, but all in al lthings are good.
We are closing in on 50 volunteers, although a cadre of about 12-15 do most of the work. We have an outreach coordinator who does most of our off-premises events; a vet who volunteers half a day a week and three (soon to be four) volunteer managers who can run things when I am presenting or doing outreach.
We have a few issues with the landlord and a few more with the city regarding electrical (things they initially approved, they have changed their minds on) so we have a couple grand in extra electrician expenses coming, I fear, but all in al lthings are good.
MeadCountyRats
New member
Seems like the hardest hurdles are over 
If you ever pass through KY hit me up!
If you ever pass through KY hit me up!
Herps Alive!
New member
Thanks, was just there last week and will be back beginning of month - what part of KY is Ekron?
Need any free help? Lol.
Herps Alive!
New member
We are totally volunteer operated - have about 40-45 right now, but always looking for more. Although the commute might be tough, lol.
MeadCountyRats
New member
Mead county, an hour from Louisville.
Herps Alive!
New member
So we wrapped up our first year in the new faciltiy. FOr calendar year 2015, 380 intakes, 263 animals adopted out. We operated at a surplus in December, which was also the first month that we adopted out more than we took in (38-28) and our January numbers are currently 18 adopted out and just 13 taken in, so we may have turned that corner. Operationally, we actually showed a surplus (profit) for the 2nd half of the year, although with debt service, we showed a net loss. We just provided notice to the landlord that we will exercise the two year option to extend our lease and have requested a purchase price for the building from the owner. This may be premature, but with what we think the building is worth, we would "only"need to raise a $30-35,000 down payment, with our current rent basically covering taxes, principal and interest on a mortgage. Trustees have suggested we at least go forward and look at that option. We will need another electrical upgrade in our garage to expand our aquatic turtle capacity (that's a leasehold improvement meaing we have to pay for it even as renters) but here are a lot of improvements-modifications we would like to do to the building that make no sense as renters.
