Galaxy Reptile Rescue

06/19/2024

We're a tad late with this update but we're so happy to say that the Boop Pet Shop sales event and fundraiser was a success thanks to some beautiful puppers and their humans! 😊
Thank you so much to Angel for donating a portion of your proceeds to our rescue - you've helped raise enough money for the medical expenses of a future gecko or other small lizard, and that's kind of a big deal. ❤️

Also, a huge thank you to Healthy Pets HQ for holding this event, and to Sue Breen for choosing our rescue as the recipient of these proceeds. It is this gorgeous community of compassionate and caring individuals that ensures a happier and healthier future for these animals, and many more. We are grateful to be in the company of such amazing people.

06/12/2024

Check out Boop Pet Shop this Saturday, June 15th at Healthy Pets HQ! See the beautiful pet swag, buy some stuff, and help support TWO local causes!

06/10/2024

06/08/2024

Come see us at The Ottawa Pet Expo at the EY Center this weekend!
Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm

Come say Hi! to Potato! 🐢

06/07/2024

IS EVERYONE EXCITED, YET?! I know we are!
Getting set and prepped at the EY Centre today, and looking forward to seeing all the fellow animal enthusiasts this weekend! ^_^

As we did last year, we will have gifts for donations, display enclosures to educate the public on proper enclosure sizing and enrichment, and various educational materials displayed for discussion. However, this year, we will also have our ambassador Tortoise, POTATO, hanging out with us!

See you all there! 😁❤🐢

06/06/2024

Athena
Adopted May 2024

06/06/2024

Crush
Adopted May 2024

06/06/2024

Kirros
Adopted May 2024

06/06/2024

Mustafa
Adopted May 2024

06/01/2024

THE WINNERS ARE....

Petra Germon
and
Dave Peever

Congratulations! Please reach out to us via PM or email ([email protected]) to arrange delivery of your tickets!

Big shout out to Ottawa Pet Expo and Canadian Reptile Expos for these tickets, for putting on this event, and for supporting our community of animal lovers.

*We did not arrange the comments chronologically, but did ensure all comments were showing. The numbers, and subsequently the winners, were chosen at random.

05/28/2024

BIG NEWS - we have something for TWO of you!
We have received two tickets from The Ottawa Reptile Expo to gift to you! If you'd like to put your name in the hat...
COMMENT "Me!" or post a photo of your pet!
Opportunities like these not only help us give back to our wonderful supporters but also increase traffic on our page - which means we can reach more people and ultimately do what we're here to do - find loving homes for rescued reptiles and educate the public regarding the proper care of these amazing animals. Every comment, reaction, and SHARE counts!
We will announce the lucky two people saturday, june 1st, 2024 and we can arrange delivery of your digital ticket. Ticket must be claimed by Monday, June 3rd, 2024 or it will go to someone else!
A big thanks to Canadian Reptile Expos!

05/23/2024

Let's shellebrate World Turtle Day.

World Turtle Day is an annual observance held every May 23rd. It began in 2000 and is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats, as well as to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.

https://www.worldturtleday.org/

05/22/2024

* Looking for ways to help? *

GENERAL USE DONATIONS/FUNDS
1) E-transfer to [email protected]
2) PayPal donation via paypal.me/GalaxyReptileRescue
3) Gift Cards for:
Critter Jungle - Carling Location
Costco
Dollarama
Walmart
Home Depot
Amazon.ca
Dragon Lair (GC for feeders only - DO NOT purchase feeders for us)
Staples

DONATIONS TOWARDS VETERINARY EXPENSES
Put a credit on the Galaxy Reptile Rescue file over-the-phone, or in person, at Lynwood Animal Hospital (613-820-0443).

SPECIFIC ITEMS
1) Bounty or Kirkland Select-A-Size Paper Towel
2) New or New-Condition terrariums by Exo Terra/ZooMed/ReptiZoo or equivalent brands:
18"L x 18"W x 24"H
36"L x 18"W x 18"H
or larger
3) New UVB bulbs:
Zoo Med 10.0 UVB bulbs in 12" or 24" length
Arcadia 2.4% and 7% UVB bulbs (one size, 12")
Arcadia 12% and 14% UVB bulbs in 24"
4) New or like-new linear fluorescent bulb fixtures for 12" and 24"
5) Large bottles of Purell
6) Powder-free Nitrile gloves in all sizes

05/03/2024

** URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT **

Nidovirus, aka Serpentovirus, is present and active in Ottawa and Gatineau.

This highly-contagious virus often presents with respiratory symptoms but may linger asymptomatically for unknown lengths of time. This virus has no cure, and is fatal, but can be tested for. The test is ~$100-$150 through your veterinary team, and takes 2-5 business days for results.

As TWO local Ball Python breeders have now had confirmed positive tests, we are urging every local Ball Python owner/seller to bring their snake(s) to their vet for testing. The following may also be at-risk and should be considered for testing:
All species of pythonidae and boidae, and some species of colubridae
Some species of skink (Tiliqua sp., such as “Shinglebacks” and “Blue Tongues”)
Some species of chamaeleo (Chamaeleo calyptratus, aka “Veiled Chameleon”)
Some species of chelidae (Myuchelys sp.) and testudinidae

While these are at-risk for contracting and spreading nidovirus variants, they are not necessarily infectious between each other. The variants are fairly species-specific.
Current research suggests front/mid/rear-fanged venomous snakes (including Duvernoy-glanded), as well as gekkonidae, have increased resistance/potential immunity against nidovirus.

Due to the virulence of nidovirus, the recommended course of action for any positive animals is euthanasia. In breeding facilities where even one animal tests positive, the recommendation is to either euthanize the entire collection of animals, or to test everyone, euthanize positives, re-test in 3 weeks, and continue this cycle until all animals are testing negative repeatedly, or until there is no-one left to test.

This is a very sad time for our local herp-loving community. This virus is in our city, right now, infecting and killing. Please have your animals tested, read up on proper hygiene and quarantine practices, and be very careful of whom you purchase/adopt your animals from. Be mindful when out-and-about with your pets, and after handling pets at events, pet stores, friends’ homes, breeding facilities, etc. We all need to do our part in order to stop the spread of this virus, as much as we can.

04/27/2024

We are out at Pet Valu today. Great opportunity to hang out with the reptile today :) please remember to give potato a snack.

04/26/2024

National Kids & Pets Day, you say?! That's AWESOME! We love teaching kids all about reptiles, how to take care of them, and how to treat them with respect. We believe that sharing our passion for compassion with the next generation of humans is the right thing to do.
Do you share your love of animals with your kids? Kids in your neighbourhood, perhaps? Tell us about one of your favourite sharing opportunities!

*Disclaimer: Please do not post photos of children without their parents' consent.

04/25/2024

This is so very true. One way you can help show your appreciation for the volunteers working tirelessly for their causes, is to provide positive feedback. Spread the word, share our posts, help raise funds and donations, and leave a review! Review us on Facebook and on Google. Let the rest of our community know that what we're doing works - we're truly going above and beyond to help these animals.

Thank you.

04/23/2024

"100 Heartbeats - The race to save earth's most endangered species" Jeff Corwin

Today is World Book Day, and I could not think of a better book to recommend for fellow animal-lovers than this one. Jeff Corwin brilliantly shares his experiences and opens the eyes of the reader to the devastating effects our species has had on this planet and its inhabitants. But do not mistake this book for a doom-and-gloom telling of the future! In it, you will find heroism, heart, battles won for the good of all, and the on-going efforts of those that fight and take a stand for whom we share this beautiful planet with.

One reviewer shared:
"This should be mandatory reading in schools, to raise awareness and compel people to do something to save the planet, and thus, ourselves."
We couldn't agree more. This book will take your heart on a journey whilst simultaneously sharing insights, facts, and words of wisdom.

Worth every penny, every page.

04/18/2024

IT IS DONE. And so he shall be named Papu.

In some languages, this word means "friend", "young man", "handsome/cool man". In others, it simply means "bean". 🤷‍♀️

Welcome cool new little bean man, Papu.

04/17/2024

ONE HOUR TO GO! GET YOUR BIDS IN! 😱

It's hard to believe he's almost been here a month already! He's almost ready to get started on his new journey with a new family but, first, he'll need to start with a new name!

As we've done in the past, we're holding a BIDDING WAR! That's right - get your virtual pocket books open, and get those creative juices flowing! Bid on the chance to name this new critter, and bask in the glory of your fifteen minutes of fame when we tag you in your glorious win- err, achievement. 🤔

ANYWAYS! Bidding takes place from Monday morning at 6am, up to Wednesday evening at 9pm. Any and all bids placed before or after these times will NOT count towards the contest. We will contact the highest bidder to arrange e-transfer, PayPal, etc, and they will have 24 hours to respond before we move down the list to the second-highest bidder, and so-on.

You do NOT need to share your suggested name publicly! We will announce it once we've confirmed a winner.

HAPPY BIDDING! 😁

04/17/2024

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO GET YOUR BIDS IN!

The current highest bid is sitting at $50 - can we see $60??
Remember, the highest bidder's donation goes directly back to caring for these lovely animals - for their initial check-ups, their on-going veterinary care, and their species-appropriate enclosures. We are a volunteer-run organization that depends solely on the kindness of public donation (including that of our own volunteers) in order to do what we do. YOU are what help make this possible. YOU are how we can help save these little lives.
Thank you.

It's hard to believe he's almost been here a month already! He's almost ready to get started on his new journey with a new family but, first, he'll need to start with a new name!

As we've done in the past, we're holding a BIDDING WAR! That's right - get your virtual pocket books open, and get those creative juices flowing! Bid on the chance to name this new critter, and bask in the glory of your fifteen minutes of fame when we tag you in your glorious win- err, achievement. 🤔

ANYWAYS! Bidding takes place from Monday morning at 6am, up to Wednesday evening at 9pm. Any and all bids placed before or after these times will NOT count towards the contest. We will contact the highest bidder to arrange e-transfer, PayPal, etc, and they will have 24 hours to respond before we move down the list to the second-highest bidder, and so-on.

You do NOT need to share your suggested name publicly! We will announce it once we've confirmed a winner.

HAPPY BIDDING! 😁

04/16/2024

Reminder to put in your bids! We will be accepting bids until tomorrow night, Wednesday April 17th at 9pm!

It's hard to believe he's almost been here a month already! He's almost ready to get started on his new journey with a new family but, first, he'll need to start with a new name!

As we've done in the past, we're holding a BIDDING WAR! That's right - get your virtual pocket books open, and get those creative juices flowing! Bid on the chance to name this new critter, and bask in the glory of your fifteen minutes of fame when we tag you in your glorious win- err, achievement. 🤔

ANYWAYS! Bidding takes place from Monday morning at 6am, up to Wednesday evening at 9pm. Any and all bids placed before or after these times will NOT count towards the contest. We will contact the highest bidder to arrange e-transfer, PayPal, etc, and they will have 24 hours to respond before we move down the list to the second-highest bidder, and so-on.

You do NOT need to share your suggested name publicly! We will announce it once we've confirmed a winner.

HAPPY BIDDING! 😁

04/15/2024

Have you had a positive experience with our team? Adoption? Rescue? Medical Assistance? Meet us at an event? Just like what we do?
If so, please leave us a positive review on:

FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/GalaxyReptileRescueOttawa/reviews

GOOGLE
https://g.page/r/CcCfvGPflwhfEB0/review

04/15/2024

It's hard to believe he's almost been here a month already! He's almost ready to get started on his new journey with a new family but, first, he'll need to start with a new name!

As we've done in the past, we're holding a BIDDING WAR! That's right - get your virtual pocket books open, and get those creative juices flowing! Bid on the chance to name this new critter, and bask in the glory of your fifteen minutes of fame when we tag you in your glorious win- err, achievement. 🤔

ANYWAYS! Bidding takes place from Monday morning at 6am, up to Wednesday evening at 9pm. Any and all bids placed before or after these times will NOT count towards the contest. We will contact the highest bidder to arrange e-transfer, PayPal, etc, and they will have 24 hours to respond before we move down the list to the second-highest bidder, and so-on.

You do NOT need to share your suggested name publicly! We will announce it once we've confirmed a winner.

HAPPY BIDDING! 😁

04/12/2024

Looking for some fun enrichment for your reptiles?

Why not try a "JW Hol-ee Roller"?!

This toy is not only great for dogs but, also, for a large number of our reptilian friends! As you can see from these photos, Cherry (a GRR ambassador) and Crush (an available GRR foster) approve this message.

04/11/2024

Wow, what a start to the month! 🤯

Last week and this week, Galaxy Reptile Rescue’s President and Vice President were invited to help teach the next generation of aspiring RVTs through Collège Boréal Veterinary Technician program! This amazing opportunity was made possible with the assistance of the team at Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital (OAESH) by providing us with the space required to host this class. Together, we reviewed safe and respectful handling practices, common minor procedures such as sample collections, how to identify stress in our reptilian friends, and what sorts of details we really need when triaging and taking patient history during exams.

Our ambassador animals were absolute rock-stars! Oh, you didn’t think we’d actually bring our foster animals, did you?? Our fosters have been through enough, and we respect their right to a quiet peaceful existence as they recover and begin their next chapters with new families. Our personal pets, however, are exceptional social butterflies (ok, except for Gus, but he’s a robust little turd that isn’t phased by the fuss).

We are grateful for this partnership, and excited for the opportunity to teach, share, and enjoy a day with the future of our industry - fellow animal welfare advocates. We'd like to extend a special thank you to Kiana, Marguerite, Julia, and Stephanie (Boreal College’s Veterinary Technician Instructors, Mentors, and Administrators) for reaching out, for setting this up, and for believing in what we do.

04/06/2024

We are here, potato is ready for treats all day

04/06/2024

We are set for tomorrow

04/04/2024

Hello friends!

The total solar eclipse is just around the corner, and just about everyone is ready to see the once in a lifetime event. We are seeing some mixed information about pet/wildlife safety.

Contrary to what some may read, the sun itself is not any more dangerous during the eclipse. The reason protective eye wear is recommended for humans (who wish to observe the eclipse) is because many of us will be staring directly at the sun that day, which is something we typically avoid.

For our pets, and outdoor wildlife, that day will be similar to any other day. Our pets don’t stare at the sun, so there is no need to keep them indoors on April 08 for any extended period of time. They may notice the change in temperature, but it is unlikely they will exhibit any unusual behaviour.

The eclipse can be more unsettling for birds. The dimming of the sky can mimic behaviour at dusk and during early storm formation, so some birds may demonstrate a wind-down behaviour and there may be less activity in the sky during the peak eclipse. Once the sky returns to normal, so does their behaviour.

If you are purchasing eclipse glasses, please make sure they meet these criteria. For additional information about the eclipse please see:
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/

For a list of approved solar-viewing goggles please see:

https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters

It is not safe to watch the eclipse through the lens of your smartphone - it can damage both your phone camera and your eyes. Try this instead:

https://www.safeshot-viewer.com

Safe watching our friends!
Dr Renee Fleming