Opening a Reptile Rescue in NE Ohio

[Herps Alive!]

Always forget that last save on the pictures here. Sorry.

 

[hhmoore]

Warning: Please do not use this thread to solicit donations or advertise

 

[Herps Alive!]

Sorry. Won't happen again.BTW- What's up with e-mail notifications? Several posts and responses without.

 

[hhmoore]

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.

 

[Herps Alive!]

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!]

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!]

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]

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.

 

[AbsoluteApril]

great job Keith!

 

[Herps Alive!]

Thank you April. And thank you Alan for your previous adoptions. E-mail is still on file.

 

[Herps Alive!]

Did not realize I had not posted pics of the "finished" product (although it is far from finished and once it is we can work on phase 2 and phase 3.

 

[Herps Alive!]

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]

Any updates?

 

[Herps Alive!]

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.

 

[MeadCountyRats]

Seems like the hardest hurdles are over
If you ever pass through KY hit me up!

 

[Herps Alive!]

Thanks, was just there last week and will be back beginning of month - what part of KY is Ekron?

 

[FosterHerpetological]

Need any free help? Lol.

 

[Herps Alive!]

Need any free help? Lol.

We are totally volunteer operated - have about 40-45 right now, but always looking for more. Although the commute might be tough, lol.

 

[MeadCountyRats]

Mead county, an hour from Louisville.

 

[Herps Alive!]

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.