Of over 200 reptiles seized 33 are place the rest appear to have been euthanized!
This to a large extent could have been avoided. Myself as well as Ray Goushaw of Herpetological Breeding Research have made numerous phone calls to the HSUS in Vero Beach regarding these animals including offers of taking them in ourselves and placing them for free to qualified reptile keepers and providing them with proper medical care. The Saint Lucie Regional Herpetological Society was also involved as the members had already stated they would take in any of these animals as well.
The Humane Society has seen fit to instead euthanize these animals as is obvious by their comments.
QUOTE
"They belong in their natural habitat. Having them in captivity for entertainment, we're really opposed to that,"
I was in this shop several times prior to its demise. The animals were not native species for the most part. They were exotics from Chameleons to Ball Pythons and tegus etc, so release was NOT an option.
The Humane Society appears to have ignored the phone calls that both myself and Ray made and our offers to take these animals in and give them proper medical care and placement. Instead they appear to have destroyed many of these animals. 200 plus reptiles and only 33 appear to have survived!
Below are some article clips. The first two are briefs as I can not find the entire articles.
More information to follow
January 1st, 2005
More than 200 store reptiles seized
VERO BEACH -- More than 100 snakes in need of water were recovered from an Old Dixie Highway pet store Thursday during a state investigation into complaints about the shop. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a phone call about a strong stench coming from Vicki and Fred's Reptiles in the 600 block of Old Dixie Highway. They found at least a dozen dead snakes, lizards and scorpions in cages as well as rats roaming freely throughout the store, said Fish and Wildlife
Published on January 29, 2005, Vero Beach Press Journal (FL)
PETA wants shop owners prosecuted
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY -- A national animal rights group is urging State Attorney Bruce Colton to prosecute the owner of a pet store where more than a dozen dead snakes, lizards and scorpions were found last month. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, sent Colton a letter regarding the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's investigation into conditions at Vicki and Fred's Reptiles in the 600 block of Old Dixie Highway. Officers with the agency found the dead
April 20, 2005
VERO BEACH — A local pet store owner entered a not guilty plea this week to charges of animal cruelty, exhibition and sale of wildlife without a permit and improper caging of animals.
Victoria Genaldi, 29, of the 600 block of Fifth Street Southwest, was charged last month following a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's investigation into conditions at Vicki and Fred's Reptiles.
In December, after receiving complaints from neighboring businesses in the 600 block of Old Dixie, investigators searched the store and found more than 100 snakes in need of water. They also found a dozen dead snakes, lizards and scorpions in cages, as well as freely roaming rats.
Genaldi signed the animals over to Fish and Wildlife, which signed them over to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, said Humane Society field investigator Ilke Daniel.
The Humane Society ended up with 113 snakes, 77 lizards and geckos, two turtles, two frogs, several tarantulas and chameleons and one scorpion.
Each animal received veterinary attention. Some were euthanized, and others died over the following months from disease, Daniel said.
The Humane Society placed about 30 animals with nonprofit, state-registered educational facilities. The local agency does not support adopting the reptiles into homes as pets, said Executive Director Joan Carlson.
"They belong in their natural habitat. Having them in captivity for entertainment, we're really opposed to that," she said.
Genaldi was charged last month with the first-degree misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, based on allegations she unnecessarily deprived animals of food and water, said Assistant State Attorney Ryan Butler.
The charge carries a possible penalty of one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine, according to state statutes.
A second-degree misdemeanor charge of exhibition and sale of wildlife without a permit carries a possible penalty of 60 days in jail, a $500 fine or both, according to state statutes.
The third count, improper caging of reptiles, alleges Genaldi violated a Fish and Wildlife administrative rule.
The below is taken from the HSUS MAIN WEBSITE.
http://www.hsus.org/about_us/
QUOTE
The HSUS is dedicated to creating a world where our relationship with animals is guided by compassion. We seek a truly humane society in which animals are respected for their intrinsic value, and where the human-animal bond is strong.
The below is from the HSUS CEO
http://www.hsus.org/about_us/history...f_beliefs.html
QUOTE
At no time in human history have the abuses of animals been so acute and grand, but never have our opportunities been greater. Opposition to animal cruelty is a universal value, yet the abuse of animals has become embedded in major institutions that drive our economy. The individuals who operate the institutions that cause harm to animals go to great lengths to disguise their actions as tradition or custom, recreation or habit, or economic freedom or opportunity. It is our task to help people unmask these rationalizations and to demand change.
QUOTE
As I formally assume the office of CEO of The HSUS, I want to underscore my confidence that our talented and dedicated staff, working together, can secure impressive and lasting results in the relief and elimination of animal suffering. But to secure these results we must work closely with one another, support one another, help one another, and seek to bring out the best in one another. Let us all resolve to do this in the months and years ahead.
From the Vero Beach Humane Societies own website
http://www.verobeach.com/HumaneSociety/
QUOTE
WHO WE ARE: Since 1953 we have been providing refuge and help to the animals of Indian River County. The Society, a non-profit organization which operates the county’s only animal shelter, aids over 6,000 animals annually. No animal – young, old, domestic or wild, homeless, lost, ill or injured – is ever turned away.
Vero Beach HSUS e-mails contacts
bdingle@hsvb.org
cellis@hsvb.org
allforpaws@aol.com
Indian River County Commisioners
Wesley S. Davis
Telephone: (772) 567-8000, extension 1490
1840 25th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3365
E-mail:
wdavis@ircgov.com
Arthur R. Neuberger - Vice Chairman
Telephone: (772) 567-8000, extension 1490
1840 25th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3365
E-mail:
neuberger@ircgov.com
Gary C. Wheeler
Telephone: (772) 567-8000, extension 1490
1840 25th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3365
E-mail:
gwheeler@ircgov.com
Thomas S. Lowther, Chairman
Telephone: (772) 567-8000, extension 1490
1840 25th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3365
E-mail:
tlowther@ircgov.com
Sandra L. Bowden
Telephone: (772) 567-8000, extension 1490
1840 25th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3365
E-mail:
sbowden@ircgov.com
Original thread is located at
http://thereptileroom.org/forum/inde...=0&#entry22945
