x
Breaking News
More () »

Reptile rescue Herps Alive facing rising food costs asks gardeners to 'grow a row' for them: Ready Pet GO!

Herps Alive rehabilitates and finds homes for surrendered or abandoned reptiles. A recent surge in lettuce prices is taking a big bite out of their food budget.

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — You can't put a price tag on the joy a pet brings -- even as the cost of feeding them is going up. Take, for example, dog food. Pet Food Industry reports it has jumped 24% in cost compared to January 2021. 

But it's not just our pockets that are feeling the pinch. Local rescues are feeling it, too. We recently visited Herps Alive in South Euclid, a 501 c3 nonprofit reptile rescue and education program. It takes in unwanted, neglected and abused reptiles with the mission of rehabilitating them and finding them new homes. 

SUBSCRIBE: Get the day's top headlines sent to your inbox each weekday morning with the free 3News to GO! newsletter

As other rescues grapple with too many surrenders as of late, Executive Director Keith Gisser says Herps Alive's intake is manageable, for now.

But it's not all smooth sailing. 

"We're getting a lot of veterinary surrenders," Gisser said. "Animals have issues, health issues to begin with. And so those animals require more work from our veterinarians."

Veterinary costs are a major chunk of Herps Alive's budget. Another recent hit? Rising prices at the grocery store. 

"We go through between 50 and 75 pounds of leafy greens, things like collards, kale, mustard greens and so on. And some lettuces each week. And we have been paying 99 cents a pound. That price went up to 2 29 a pound."

The increase amounts to about $3,500 a year. 

"It's basically two mortgage payments here -- and that's significant," Gisser said. 

So the rescue is putting a call out to anyone getting ready to plant their summer vegetable garden. 

If you've got the space, please "grow a row" for them. Ideally, they're looking collard, mustard and turnip greens. Kale is in big demand, too.

Gisser says they can use just about anything your garden might grow -- except for citrus.

Donated greens are already coming in as the community is donating lettuce they are buying at the grocery store. The generosity has helped, and Gisser says his food supply is in good shape right now. With help from local growers this summer, Herps Alive should be able to ride out the fiscal storm, and get everybody fed.

How you can help: Contacting Herps Alive

Contact Herps Alive through the email form on their website HERE

Message the rescue on Facebook.

Email at herpsalive@earthlink.net

Call 216-374-1392

Herps Alive is open five days a week. Check out their hours HERE.

MORE FROM 3NEWS...

Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? The latest sports? We've got you covered! You can download the free WKYC app and get the latest updates sent to your phone: Android, Apple.

Before You Leave, Check This Out