Foster pigs Rocky and Peanut benefit from the foster life collectively. (Courtesy of Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue)
No, the rats and rabbits and guinea pigs rescued by the reptile society did not wind up as snake meals, officers from the group and the county stated.
But some animal activists had been uneasy upon studying that the Southern California Herpetology Association & Rescue has taken possession of greater than 800 animals from Orange County Animal Care since 2022.
More than 700 of these had been rodents, rabbits and fowl, county information exhibits — a giant re-homing elevate for a small organization that works with different SoCal shelters as effectively, they stated.
“How are they adopting all those animals out? Everybody is struggling now – it doesn’t make sense to me at all,” stated Shelmarie Main, who has labored at a number of Southern California animal shelters and rescue foundations.
SoCal Herpetology is a tax-exempt organization registered to Jason Haywood in Buena Park. Any doubts concerning the group’s intentions replicate a societal bias in opposition to reptile folks, the Southern California Herpetology Association and Rescue stated by electronic mail.
“In a Reader’s Digest version, no, we have not, do not and never will feed a ‘pet’ (we consider pets animals that do not come from our feeder source) to any other animal. All of our feeders are sourced from a feeder supplier,” it stated.
“Some of the explanations we’ve been choosing up and putting ‘pet’ sort animals is that lots of the native small animal rescues have folded, severely downsized, don’t take medical instances and are unable to soak up any new animals. Over the years, we’ve constructed a community of re-habbers, non-public rescue teams (each native and out of state) and different organizations that don’t carry a 501(c)(3) so they can not pull animals as a rescue. We will pull them and hand them over to those people for therapies, quarantine for future adoption and academic placement (classroom pets, petting zoo and so on).
“We appreciate you reaching out to us for this instead of putting out false information. We get these questions frequently and are happy to respond and dispel the negative thoughts about reptile folks.”
Releasing rodents to herpetology companions isn’t essentially uncommon for SoCal animal shelters.
Not unusual
“The Irvine Animal Care Center works with various rescue partners, including a 501 (c)(3) that primarily specializes in herpetology. This organization has developed relationships with other organizations and individuals that care for pet rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. These animals are transferred and adopted as pets and not as a food source,” stated spokeswoman Kristina Perrigoue by electronic mail.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services additionally works with a handful of herpetology rescue teams, however, “We do not knowingly transfer animals that could potentially be used as a food source to any agency,” spokeswoman Kerri Mabee stated by electronic mail.
The San Diego Humane Society, although, avoids releasing small furries to reptile rescues.
“No, we do not release rodents and rabbits to the herpetology groups,” stated spokeswoman Nina Thompson. “We only work with them in the capacity of saving lives — reptile lives. For example, if we have a large number of tortoises, we may reach out to the San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society and ask if they can take in any of ours to find them homes. They reach out to us sometimes, too, when they see we have a large inventory.”
Orange County Animal Care, which has been taking a beating from animal activists recently, appreciates its partnership with the SoCal Herpetology Association & Rescue.
“Over the years, SCHA&R has assisted OC Animal Care with animals in need, including large cases that involve abandonment and/or hoarding,” spokeswoman Jackie Tran stated by electronic mail. “Upon placement with SCHA&R, they’ve a broad community of adopters and rescue companies, making certain acceptable placements for the pets.
“We have seen nothing to recommend SCHA&R isn’t adopting and putting pets as they declare. SCHA&R has a robust presence within the Orange County animal group, and we repeatedly see them at large-scale pet expos and adoption occasions, showcasing a wide range of species for adoption. Additionally, we’ve collaborated with their companions, like Tanaka Farms, OC Bird Breeders Club, and varied 4-H Clubs, the place we’ve gained perception on the place the animals are in the end positioned.
“Over the years, they have certainly evolved into much more than just a herpetology group. SCHA&R’s wealth of knowledge on a diverse range of animals, coupled with their vast connections to adopters and rescue agencies, makes them an incredible partner to work with.”
Some activists fear {that a} well-intentioned herpetology group won’t know what occurs down the road, after the animals are positioned. Might these animals change palms once more and meet less-than-Hallmark film destiny?
“Once released to the school, program, re-habber, etc., we are no longer involved, as these animals are not our ‘specialty,’” SoCal Herpetology stated.
