Chicago Herpetological Society

John Archer · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 260

Well, I'm not sure how this will work, but I think we need a network of individuals who are willing to pick up animals for police, fire, and animal control departments who are unwilling or unable to do it. This doesn't mean that you'll have to place the animal or keep it beyond a day or two. It would help if we had individuals spread over the various sections of Chicagoland so that the response time would be minimal. If you're interested, here's some things to think about and put after your name.

Can you tell native from non-native?
Venomous from non-venomous?
How far are you willing to travel?
Can you bring help?
Do you have equipment to handle some of the more difficult animals?
Are you willing to spend some time at the pick up educating folks?

I'm sure there are things I haven't thought of, but this is a start. Right now the forum's reach is relatively small, so this is a preliminary feeler. No one needs to do all the above, I think. We just need to know what you're willing to do. If you'll only pick up green anoles, that's great as long as we know that.

Many of us are already doing this, but it would be nice to have a more formal and efficient arrangement if we get those calls.

Opinions are eagerly sought!

John

Jason_Hood · Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 995 Location: Evanston

Well I have never officially made a stance on this but I am willing and able to deal with any north side snake pic ups. I can deal with venomous if needed but it is not my preferance anymore. I have no problem with any pit vipers but my elapid training is lacking. Crocs?? Well we have people that crazy already...

Jason

John Archer · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 260

Jason,

I know that you've done this stuff before. I'm looking for ideas to make our response more efficient also. Any other ideas?

btrost · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Wicker Park

I am willing to be part of the pick-up network and I'm betting a lot of people in the society would love to help too. I'm also betting that a lot of people have the same reservations as I do about helping helping in this area: "Do I know enough". Sure, I know a ton more about herps than most people (outside everyone I've met through CHS), but what I know is dwarfed by everyone in the CHS.

If the CHS wanted to have some hands on workshops, training sessions and maybe a mentoring type program I'll bet the network would grow pretty fast as would the experience level.

John Archer · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 260

Actually the training isn't a bad idea, if we can get someone to do it. Remember that none of us (well maybe a few of us-not me) can know all the animals, so unless you know it's a corn snake, you treat it as dangerous. We just don't hurt the animals when we do it. Then we get it to the experts.

Others reading this! I'm not really asking for volunteers right now, I'm looking for ideas. If you'd like to volunteer, but have conditions like Brad, that's all right too. But your thoughts are valuable whether or not you volunteer.

Kimix · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 306 Location: NW Indiana

To my mind, the most efficient/useful way would be first listing each person under which animal category(s) they are most proficient

Catagorys being: Snake, Lizard, Frog, Gators

Then within each category get a general map idea of what areas those people can cover.

If a call comes in for Snake.. first ask all snake people within that area, then branch out to others if no one can be found.

someone like me for example.. I know all the native frogs, toads and lizards.. but give me a snake and I'm lost. Even if I were the closest person to a snake pickup.. It would make more sense to have a snake qualified person make the trip. And the same could be said for a frog.. It would make more sense to have the frog person drive a bit farther, even though theres a snake person closer. (do people actually call in for frogs? lol)

I worked with cat/dog rescues for several years, and you would people that sure could take care of a adult animals, but when it came to new born abandoned kittens, they would have to have a person that knew how to asses their health immediately, remove the fleas & mites, and how to bottle feed them. So the closest person wasn't always the one sent.

herp_family · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Chicago

I would be interested in a training session, especially in identification and handling. Coordination of efforts might be a little complicated, but probably is doable.
Teresa

DyneDenethor · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Chicago

I think rather than a pick up network, which is to a very loose degree is there, we need a housing network. Places that can temporarily house animals until a more permanent home can be found.

Plus I think more people would be comfortable with housing the animals rather than going somewhere to take them away.

Dan B.

herp_family · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Chicago

Actually, I would go for temporary housing. I have extra tanks. I'd do a pick up if someone who was more experienced went along.

firehop · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 110 Location: Chicago Ridge

John,

I am able to pick up and educate when needed. I have done quite a few already. I also have room and temporary / permanant cages when needed. I do know most native/ non native and always have my little green book just in case. I have hooks and gloves for handling also. I am pretty open for travel as I work in the western suburbs but live in the south. I know you know most of this but I thought I would throw it up here.

Rick
_________________
Rick Hoppenrath Jr.

"If you love something let it go, if it doesn't come back hunt it down and kill it"

nick · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 49

i would be willing to help and be part of the training class never know what new things you can learn....

i can go from brookfield north or south... depends on timing....

John Archer · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 260

Keep throwing up ideas. I'm checking on ways to accomplish this.

nick · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 49

well maybe it can be brought up at the meeting tomorrow with all that posted, and everyone willing to take the class to set a weekend or weeknight date to set the class up for. ( possibly ask bob or dan if they would be interested in helping with the class...hint hint)

hipnotoad · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 132 Location: napervill

id love to help in the aurora area i used to do it up in PA with timber rattle snakes my old naberhood was rapet with them it was a small town so the cops didnt know to much how to deal with them

id get them take them to the woods out of town and let them loose

i have all the supplies id need and as long as im not working id be happy to help

nick · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 49

I am willing to take a day or two during the week or weekend, and help out to learn, get info, and learn how to tell the difference between animals. also can to learn more and more about local, native, and non native snakes of illinois. Then learn about the many different non native venomous snakes we will encounter. this should be brought up at the next board meeting or the first one of 2010.