http://www.surreyleader.com/
Exotic animals, common problem

Surrey Leader

Sep 19 2007

The exotic animals at the Rainforest Reptile Refuge - with its resident caimans, anacondas and iguanas - may bring a touch of the extraordinary to South Surrey, but the facility is grappling with a problem all too common among non-profits: Money.

More specifically, the lack of it.

Last Monday, refuge operators appeared before city council, asking for $11,000 per month in funding. This would cover the costs of caring for the on-site animals, including food, hydro, rent and a much-needed expansion for the 1395 176 St. facility.

The Rainforest Reptile Refuge has been taking in unwanted abused and abandoned reptiles, amphibians and other exotic species for 23 years, with no government funding.

In addition to its rescue work, the facility provides valuable outreach to the community by opening its doors and educating people about the plight of its resident creatures.

Unfortunately, the refuge has now been closed to the public until ongoing operating cash can be secured. Council has sent the request back to staff for further study, with a report expected in the coming weeks.

Aside from fiscal support, the city now has another opportunity to address the root of the issue: by sharpening the teeth of its existing exotic animal bylaw.

Currently, the legislation bans only the sale of exotic species (such as snakes, lizards and turtles), but not the ownership of such animals.

This is a half-measure. If the idea of keeping non-domesticated animals in captivity is troublesome enough to restrict their sale, why not their accommodation? As the filled-to-capacity refuge sadly illustrates, rarely do these creatures find "forever" homes.

While the B.C. government is pledging to bring in some form of provincial regulation over the keeping of exotic animals, there are no promises of an outright ban.

Surrey should take a stand and send a message. Several Lower Mainland municipalities, including Vancouver and Abbotsford, have already banned ownership of exotics.

Besides, times have changed since 2003 when Surrey's bylaw was enacted. If anything, the public has less of an appetite for creature cruelty. (Even the Cloverdale Rodeo has discontinued its more controversial events in the wake of a calf death this spring).

As for the funding issue, Paul Springate, who runs the Rainforest Reptile Refuge, touched on a great suggestion: Fees. Those who buy or sell pets - be they exotic or the more mundane domesticated variety - should have to fork over an extra amount, much like recycling or other environmental levies - for a fund that helps abandoned animals.

This is obviously a beast of a problem that won't soon go away.