Speaker: Ms. Val Ellis Lofvendahl
Val currently cares for over 75 reptiles and amphibians out of her Richmond home. At any one time, the number of herps being cared for could easily double.
Her around the clock work is supported mainly by private donations and subsidized most of the time by her and her family.
Val sadly reflects when she received her first iguana, “Basil”, 20 years ago, “proper care information back then was non-existent and Basil sadly died at four years old due to complications from impaction. ‘Manwel’ came along right before Basil left us, he had been mistreated and was suffering from Metabolic bone disease and had a broken leg. X-rays showed weak bones but a straight back, with proper care and extra calcium Manwel healed quickly. His age was unknown but he lived with us for 8 years”.
Manwel was the first rescue Val took in. Various volunteers have assisted Val and her Richmond Reptile Rescue over the years, keeping the herps comfortable while looking for new homes to adopt the animals. Val often visits schools giving presentations on herp keeping responsibilities and information about our province’s native reptiles and amphibians.
“It still hurts me to know that my lack of good knowledge contributed to Basil’s death. I dedicated many years to studying the proper care and diet for Iguanas and want to make sure no other Iguanas or other reptiles suffer the fate Basil did.”
