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Work Space: Reptile Humane Society |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 19 July 2006 |
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 Ann-Elizabeth Nash’s passion is for the cold-blooded.
The 42-year-old Longmont woman founded the Colorado Reptile Humane Society eight and a half years ago after adopting her first two iguanas.
“I became fascinated with these animals and couldn’t personally take in all the unwanted reptiles, so the shelter was born,” Nash said.
While doing some Internet searches, Nash stumbled onto an animal welfare sight devoted to iguanas and other reptiles.
“It really clicked with me,” she said.
More research revealed services in Colorado devoted to reptiles were next to nothing. Most shelters wouldn’t even take reptiles, and those that did would immediately euthanize them or lacked proper training on how to care for them. She decided to do something. She transformed her home into a humane society specifically for reptiles. What was once a living room is now filled wall to wall with glass cages. Outside, a large pond creates a home for happy turtles and natural grasslands provide shade to tortoises.
 The Colorado Reptile Humane Society, an independent nonprofit organization, takes in anywhere from 250-450 reptiles per year with an average stay of about nine months. In comparison, the standard stay for a dog or cat in a shelter is 21 days. About half of the reptiles that come to the shelter will be adopted.
“Most of us don’t grow up with wild animals in our households,” she said. “Many times people don’t know what’s right for these animals. They are wild animals and people’s experience is zero.”
Many of the reptiles that come to the humane society are in poor condition, with injuries and bone deficiencies. From snakes to turtles, all are welcome and all are up for adoption. Interested applicants go through a screening process and fill out an application.
“The only way to change the euthanasia rate is to educate people,” Nash said.
VITAL STATS
Name: Ann-Elizabeth Nash, 42
Company: Colorado Reptile Humane Society
Title: Director
How long have you worked there? Eight and a half years.
IN HER WORDS
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
I think the most challenging aspect is our society’s attitudes toward reptiles are really behind. There’s a sense that they are disposable and can be thrown away.
Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
I find these animals really fascinating. They are not dull to work with. They are exciting, challenging and intellectual. On a personal level, when I do something positive for a wild animal stuck in captivity, it’s really amazing.
Things that impress you?
I’m excited by folks interested in reading about these animals, understanding their natural history and are starting to do that research on their own. I’m attracted by people who have good observational skills and a willingness to slow down.
Things that don’t?
Adults who think their children are going to take care of an animal. You can’t expect a 12-year-old to take care of Lassie. We have a lot of parents call up and say “I don’t know what’s wrong with this animal. It’s my child’s animal.” It’s not an appropriate responsibility for a child.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
They are all volunteers right now. We have volunteers come in who already have a particular interest in a specific animal. You will find a volunteer who has a huge interest in snakes will start to bring you information. That’s a way for our volunteers to start to carve out a work area for themselves and is exciting for us. I started working with iguanas. I’m a lizard person. That’s what I know best. Volunteers have to have a good work ethic. We also have volunteers whose expertise might be fundraising or general administration stuff, not just animal expertise. It’s about learning what are humane issues for reptiles, whether that’s direct animal care or writing grants to communicate those issues.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
No. It was very circumstantial. I got involved with reptiles by oddly doing a search on the baby Internet. The first find was an animal welfare site. It very much suits me, but there was no precursor in my life that said, “Yep, that’s where she is going.”
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
I think at this point I’d be doing full-time field work with reptiles.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Starting this shelter and saying, “Yep, I’ll take any reptile or amphibian.” I joke that the snake gods above helped us by sending us a corn snake for our first snake. But it was kind of dumb to take in an animal when I didn’t know anything about it.
Smartest?
Trying to be as professional as possible which means getting appropriate licensing, fundraising and fiscal responsibility. I felt it was important to be involved with the animal welfare community from the get go. I’m trying to get beyond individual rescue work. I want this shelter to exist long after I’m gone.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
I can’t think of anything unusual.
Any interesting anecdotes?
Last year CoRHS cared for 55 different species from almost every continent that has reptiles.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
Have regular hours open to the public.
What do you do during your breaks?
Watch turtles in the outdoor pond— very relaxing!
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Everything — CoRHS is entirely volunteer. I’m not paid in cash but career fulfillment is very high.
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
Enjoying reading— you simply can’t care for these kinds of animals if you don’t enjoy a little research and discovery.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Devoting my energy to something I feel will make a difference to many animals and to our society.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Yes. Not always— sometimes it would be good to simply care for the animals and not have all the worries!
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Watch movies, read and hike.
Pets? Family?
Three dogs, three cats, two horses and one wonderful husband!
Favorite TV shows. Movies.
No time for TV.
Books.
Anything by David Quammen.
What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
http://scholar.google.com/
Where do you play?
Nearby... open space, hiking trails, drives in the mountains.
Go out to eat?
Thai Kitchen in Longmont.
Favorite spot?
Outside, seeing wild animals.
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