[fundraising/animals] Hey everyone. Got a bit of a story to tell, with links within.

Sister-wife Shelly works for the Ecovivarium, a non-profit living museum/animal rescue here in San Diego county. The Ecovivarium is home to hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods, and acts as an educational outreach to teach children and adults alike about these less-understood animals.

All of the animals at Eco are rescues to some extent, ranging from being re-homed after a pet store was closed, to being relinquished by owners who can no longer care for them, to being rescued off the street or taken from abusive/neglectful situations.

While many animals can be adopted out from Eco, there's many more that need very special, daily care, due to injuries or bad experiences with other people/environments.

Currently, the facility is home to around 250 animals, including lizards, snakes, turtles and tortises, frogs, and various arthropods. All of whom need housing, food, and medical care.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine, the facility is closed to the public. Which means that their primary source of income to take care of the animals is gone. No on-site tours, no educational retreats, no birthday reservations.

The small staff has been furloughed, but continues to come in regularly to care for the animals, some driving across the county to ensure everyone there is happy and healthy. On top of this, plans had been put in place to move to a larger facility this year, but while the circumstances have changed dramatically, their move-out date hasn't, and they are

required to be out of their current location by June 1st.

To say that the current situation is unfortunate is putting it mildly. Which is where you all can help.

At the Ecovivarium's home page, you can find a link to donate to the facility and help with the care and survival of these wonderful creatures. If you can't donate, that's understandable, but please, share the word as much as possible.

Additionally, my wife Annie has posted Facebook fundraiser to help. If those of you with Facebook would share this as well, it would mean the world to us.

Finding rescue facilities for reptiles is difficult, due to the very different needs they have from mammals, and yet reptiles are just as commonly released into the wild to fend for themselves. The people at Eco put their all into caring for these animals, and in many cases have even rehabilitated injured or abused animals to the point where they can be

adopted out into their new forever homes. Our own leopard geckos, Ivy and Pepper, were adopted from Eco - Ivy is prone to eye infections and needs to be monitored regularly, and Pepper suffered metabolic bone disease early on, as well as having notable PTSD reactions to certain stimuli. Both are now healthy and living full lives, in no small part due to

Ecovivarium.

Permission to replurk?

Many of their healthy and/or rehabilitated animals can still be adopted, even during these times. If you know anyone in the area who might be interested in adding a new family member, pass the word along. Arrangements can be made for interviews and the like.

Pikaboo : absolutely

Another thing, if you can't donate money, but want to help out in other ways, feel free to contact them about possibly donating food or other supplies. That would help out immensely.

And provided they're doing well once quarantines are lifted and travel is a less risky prospect, drop in and get to know some of the animals! My personal favorites are Tonka, a tortoise who was able to keep their beak after an injury and subsequent surgery; Pepper, a large water monitor who is a big ol' sweetheart; and Rosie, an arboreal skink who grips

your entire hand like a handshake, among others.

Whatever anyone can do to help out and/or spread the word, we appreciate it immensely.

Also send my belated birthday wishes to Annie!

Will do!