Why do you rescue iguanas?

Unfortunately, iguanas have it worse than dogs, cats, and most other mammals- they are missing the "cute" factor. Iguanas are the number one reptile surrendered in the United States. Unfortunately, they were a fad pet about 10 years ago and many people listened to pet shop employees and did not research the care of these exotic rainforest creatures. Consequently this made metabolic bone disease (MBD), renal failure, and gout common conditions of these poor wild caught creatures. MBD, which is a disease when an iguana is not given appropriate lighting. These iguanas begin to reabsorb their skeleton so they can continue to live and become very deformed. They can become paralyzed if their spinal column suffers too much- or end up with scoliosis. Renal disease ensued from eating animal protein- which is a very painful and slow death, often starving the animal after their kidneys get to large for them to pass any food. Gout was also an issue- this is where their joints became inflamed and arthritic secondary to protein crystal deposited (also secondary to eating animal protein). Many iguanas bear burn scars all over their bodies from inappropriate heating supplied.

I have seen some incredibly awful things done to iguanas- as some folks unfortunately believe that reptiles cannot feel pain. Some people even have in the past froze their pets to death- which is incredibly painful and slow- not to mention horrifying to the iguanas- aware what is happening to them but not able to do anything about it. I have seen an iguana with its face removed and its sinuses and brain exposed by an autistic child whose parent failed to care for or check on the iguana. It also had broken bones, toes, burn marks and many health problems.

We have had iguanas surrendered to us that have had painful injuries- such as a punctured eyeball- and the owners either would not or could not afford veterinary care; in some cases these iguanas have gone months without adequate care or pain control.

Many people don't realize that their iguana that is 6" at first will outgrow its aquarium in the first 6 months and need an enclosure the size of a bedroom when it becomes 10 lbs and almost 6' in length. They are also unaware that they go through a difficult breeding season, where males may become aggressive, females may get egg bound (can't lay their eggs) and become septic or starve to death. Many people don't know that they can potentially live 25 years (the oldest one I have heard of was 40!)

I'm certainly not trying to minimize the plight of other animals- they have it bad too. I have first hand experience with unwanted cats, dogs, rats, and other reptiles too. However, I will definitely argue that there is more interest (by both rescue groups and potential adopters) in helping really cute creatures out. I also work closely with a bird rescue, (who also has the "cute" and "intelligence" factor in most people's perspective).

I chose rescuing iguanas as my cause after I bought an iguana from a reptile specialty store. He died 5 days after I got him and went to 3 veterinarians. I changed my major from English to pre-veterinary medicine and vowed to become a reptile vet. I started Iguana Relocation Network my second year in vet school and it's continued to become even more consuming. I finally graduated last May and have been working with the iguanas and birds since then. Unfortunately, *big sigh* I have to get a paying job and will only have part time to dedicate to the iguanas and birds- but someday I hope to find a job working for a non-profit that pays enough for me to pay off my student loans and have a roof over my (our!) heads.

Jaime Pajak, DVM

President, Iguana Relocation Network

http://technolizard.org

http://360.yahoo.com/iguanadvm

Heather Handley, Senior Veterinary Student

It is not the first time I have been asked the question of ‘ Why rescue Iguanas?’ I have thought about it often. It is that my love for the iguanas prevails. I learned of the green iguana while working for a Petco back in about 1993. We got a large number of them in and put them in a display. They came with brief instructions and that was it. No one really new much about iguanas. So, I gathered up the books that were on the shelf and read them. I felt that if I was going to sell these cute little green things, I should know about them and be able to educate the people that were going to buy them. This seamed a bit of a shock to the other employees. I was fascinated with the info in the books. I began to walk around the store with them on my shoulder, hold them and truly care for them. I made sure that people knew what they were in for when buying a green iguana, the best I could. I still only knew what I had read. Most people have no clue about the proper care for an iguana. It is not like a cat or dog. You do not just feed and water it and let it go to the bathroom and that’s it. It needs special everything, including a special person to love it. If a person does not have the proper knowledge to care for an iguana, it suffers for a long slow life. I cannot handle knowing that it is our, humans, fault that an animal lives a sub par, poor life because we wanted to remove it from its natural habitat and make it a pet. I believe we can educate iguana owners and potential owners. If there is no hope for the person, than we provide the hope for the iguana. We take the iguana in and find it a foster home, until its true fabulous forever home comes along. Every animal deserves a wonderful life. So you ask why iguanas……. well why not iguanas. They feel. They love. They play. And for many of us they are unbelievably cute.

Rodny Toni

Membership Coordinator, Iguana Relocation Network

Iguanas are facinating creatures. When I was in third grade and living in San Diego I had a baby ig, named Spike. Spike got the best of the best, cantalope, strawberries, blueberries, fresh greens, and my favorite thing was to watch him eat. He was so small that he would crawl up the window screen in the bedroom and sun his belly. A few months later we decided to move back to Minnesota and my parents gave him to a friends so that he could stay in the nice California weather. Since then I have always had this place in my heart for igs. I have known the president and founder of IRN since junior high school. When she came back from college in St. Cloud, she had her wonderful and beautiful Khloris with her. Khloris is one the smartest animals/iguanas I have ever met. So a few months back, Jaime and I started communicating more regularly. She asked me to attend one of the board meetings. Next thing I know, I am offering to take the open position as the treasurer. I feel bad for any animal that is surrendered or abandoned, but igs have it even worse since it happens so often. So.....why igs? I say... why not, they deserve help just as much as any other animal if not more.

Andrea Howe

Treasurer, Iguana Relocation Network

Why Iguanas?