August 18, 2004 Scales and Tails, Inc. RE: Summer update Scales and Tails, Inc. has had a busy summer! We have helped place numerous iguanas and other reptiles this summer through the website and directly through Scales and Tails, Inc. members. Ferrets continue to cycle through "We're up to our ears in ferrets!" to "We don't have any young ones currently available." Currently, we are nearly full, with a wide variety of ages available. To keep up with the influx of reptiles needing homes, a number of you have found room for another cage or two. Thanks to those efforts, we have been able to expand the number of reptiles we currently hold. Without the support of our membership, we would be overloaded quickly. We want to thank out members for their support and efforts. All in all, this has been the summer of snakes: milk snakes, ball pythons, black snakes and a Northern Water snake have come through the system. Patty K has developed the reputation as the "Snake Lady" at Newark Humane Society. She has picked up several snakes this past month from Newark. Somehow, an iguana even snuck into her purse. We have placed at least 7 iguanas directly from our care this summer (and we are awaiting word about a couple of others). That may seem like a low number, but for iguanas, that's fabulous! Through the website, we have helped connect 3 other iguanas to new owners this past week alone. We have developed a relationship with Clifton Animal Control (New Jersey), and picked up 2 ferrets, a ball python, and an iguana this past month. By developing relationships with other animal organizations, we can network and, hopefully, have more support in the future. Other organizations that we helped out this summer include P-U-R-R-S.N' Pups Animal Rescue Team, Inc (New Jersey) and Oxford Ferret Rescue (Maryland). Meri rescued an iguana from euthanasia at a vet in PA, so, hopefully, we have yet another contact. Right now, we have many animals at the shelter. There are 20 ferrets in the system, 8 iguanas, and 4 snakes. The numbers are pretty low in the reptile department, thanks to a number of recent adoptions. I fear that the cages will be filled shortly L. We have many young ferrets at the shelter right now. Unfortunately, 5 of the youngest were found outside and need to be in isolation for at least 4 weeks. We also have several older and special needs ferrets. Some of these have been with us for over 14 months. All in all, this has been a good summer for Scales and Tails, Inc. With autumn fast approaching, the College Dump season has already started. For the next 6 weeks, the intakes will easily exceed placements. Please let us know if you have room to foster! Gail Elsey Exotic Pet Rescue, Rehab and Placement, a 501c(3) charity www.scalesandtails.org Iguana Care and Web Organization www.iguanaden.com "Help the Helpless" [Posted in FML issue 4609]