One might expect to find alligators and giant pythons in Florida swamps, but would be surprised to learn that these scaly, prehistoric creatures are also residing in South Euclid.  The Herps Alive Foundation is a nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to rescuing exotic reptiles and amphibians through adoption and education initiatives.  Keith Gisser, the organization’s founder, is on a mission to change the world’s negative perception of reptiles and find homes for unwanted animals throughout Ohio. 

The Herps Alive Foundation was founded in 2013 as an offshoot of Gisser’s business, where he would travel with a menagerie of ambassador animals and teach educational reptile programs. 
“I would always do rescue on my own,” says Gisser, who explained that he started taking in unwanted animals from people he knew and keeping them at his home before his operation became an official nonprofit.  “We saw a need and tried to fill that as best as we could.” 

Gisser realized that while there are many existing Ohio animal shelters, few are equipped with the knowledge or resources to properly care for reptiles.  He explains that while a chihuahua and a Great Dane have different needs, their basic care is essentially the same because they are the same species.  With reptiles, this is not the case because, according to Gisser, “you can have six boa constrictors in cages on the shelf and each one needs different care depending on its natural environment.” This is why rescues that specialize in exotic animal species and understand their individual needs are so important. 

The Herps Alive Foundation is open to visitors who would like to tour the facility and meet some unique animals up close.  “We are open to the public and we encourage people to come in and visit even if they don’t plan on adopting,” says Gisser.  There are many opportunities for animal interaction, including turtle feeding stations throughout the building.  The rescue offers birthday parties off-site or at the rescue and also hosts educational programs at schools and libraries throughout the year.  Homeschool and 4-H groups are frequent Herps Alive visitors, with many families stopping in simply to expose their children to diverse species or to teach them about wildlife conservation.

The Herps Alive Foundation has taken in hundreds of different species, including alligators, cobras, anacondas, and Gila monsters (a venomous species of lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico).  Staple species include ball pythons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and corn snakes- all of which are highly adoptable.  Gisser states that people should care about reptiles “for the same reason they should care about dogs and cats. They may not be fuzzy and furry, but they have a special place in the environment.”  Reptiles surprisingly make wonderful family pets, as they are hypoallergenic, can live in small spaces, and do not have an unpleasant odor as long as their habitat is kept clean.  The largest goal of the Herps Alive Foundation is to adopt out as many animals as possible to responsible, forever families.  There is a false belief that many of the rescued animals should be released back into the wild.  Gisser explains, however, that this would be a death sentence for animals who have been born and raised in captivity.  “It’s all they know,” says Gisser, who understands the reliance captive-bred animals have on human caretakers. 

People can support the rescue’s cause in a variety of ways.  Monetary donations are greatly appreciated and desperately needed.  Donors can also give food items to the rescue, as many lizard and tortoise species rely on a daily supply of fresh vegetables and leafy greens.  The “Grow a Row” campaign encourages people to plant an extra row of leafy greens in their home gardens for the rescue.  Gisser stresses that one of the most important resources community members can give is their time.  Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at the Herps Alive Foundation, which allows volunteers 15 years and older to assist with animal care and education.  There is also a Parent Child Volunteer Program for younger reptile-enthusiasts who want to get involved.  This program allows children hands-on opportunities to help out around the rescue under the supervision of a parent or guardian.  The next time you are thinking about adding a new pet to the family, consider scales instead of fur. 

The Herps Alive Foundation is located at 1489 Garden Dr. in South Euclid.  For more information, visit www.herpsalive.org or the Herps Alive Facebook page.  To contact Keith Gisser or his team, please call (216) 374-1392 or email herpsalive@earthlink.net.