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Janet Baker
Dr. Dev Bose
English 101
November 21, 2015
Tucson Reptile Rescue - Genre Analysis
As I was profiling Tucson Reptile Rescue for Project 2, I attended the Tucson Reptile
exposition here in Tucson. TRR had established their adoption/info booth right in the middle of
about 100 vendors selling reptiles of every color, shape and size. I couldnt help but wonder how
this tiny rescue organization can possibly compete with a booming exotic pet trade fraught with
misunderstanding and ignorance. Why ignorance? This is because, as I learned through my initial
contacts with TRR, many people who purchase these animals dont realize what kind of a
commitment they need to make in terms of the longevity of care and special handling. Some
reptiles can live up to 50 years in captivity. Outside of their natural exotic environment, they
require certain diets, lighting and warmth. In certain cases the animals that get really large need
a lot of space. Purchasing a pet of this sort requires some research and advice in advance.
Unfortunately there are some who might make an impetuous purchase only to experience buyers
remorse later. During my later interview with Lane Smith, a director of Tucson Reptile Rescue,
he frankly told me that about 50 percent of the animals purchased at the reptile expo over this
past weekend will either wind up dead or back with us within the next two years.
So how does TRR insinuate themselves between ignorance and education? How do they
raise the funds to rescue and care for these forgotten creatures? The answer is that this unique
organization to publish their goals in a genre that elicits sympathy for animals that, quite frankly,

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are not that cute or fuzzy or pretty. A very important reminder at this point is that neither the
Humane Society nor Pima Animal Control will take abandoned, neglected or abused reptiles.
Arizona Game and Fish will only take natives, i.e. desert tortoises, Gila monsters, etc. Therefore,
when the remorseful reptile owner figures out that they have to give up their pet, the choices of
where to place their animal are slim. Reckless people will just dump their unwanted reptiles
somewhere in the environment. Conscientious owners, on the other hand, will seek out
organizations like Tucson Reptile Rescue that will take the animal and find it a new home.
Meanwhile any type of animal rescue, whether it involves dogs, cats, horses or reptiles, takes
money. A non-profit organization such as TRR is challenged to reach out and ask for donations.
In order to understand how a non-profit animal rescue operation functions and obtains
necessary donations, you have to look at the subject of wealth. The crowned king of animal
activism is certainly the ASPCA American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The ASPCA has a long, 149 year old history of rescue and animal cruelty awareness based on the
publics generous gifts to their charity. The ASPCA now operates all over the world with nearly
2 million supporters under its belt. Weve all see their many heartbreaking TV commercials
soliciting financial aid. They are wealthy enough to supply over 7 million dollars in grants to
other animal welfare organizations. The ASPCA could not be successful without getting their
messages of education and donation requests out while doing all of that with a sense of urgency.
Likewise, Tucson Reptile Rescue uses the same strategies, but on a much smaller scale
and with a lot less money. TRR is a young, 2 year old shelter started with $10,000 of the
founders (Charlotte Gillis) own savings. They have no big bucks to spend on TV ads or lots of
printed material. They operate out of a very unassuming building in downtown Tucson where at
least 100 reptiles are sheltered at any one time. Nobody gets a salary; the two directors have full

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time jobs outside the organization. Rescuing animals, educating the public and sustaining the
facility takes volunteered time and money. Tucson Reptile Rescue, like the ASPCA and the
Humane Society, uses rhetoric that makes the audience see the world through the animals eyes.
Creating empathy for reptiles is not as easy as it is for adorable dogs or cats. The following are
some ways that Tucson Reptile Rescue accomplishes their goals through writing:
Website:
Tucson Reptile Rescues mission statement is the first thing we notice on the home page
and is placed under their green logo (designed as a round reptile eye):
The rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of reptiles in the greater Tucson area; the education of
the public in the care, keeping and maintenance of reptiles.
Here on the site there is a wealth of information about the organization, its status as a
non-profit shelter, their no kill policy and adoption methods. There is also a provided link to
accept donations. TRRs site is appropriately designed with what Ill call reptile green and
black. Their top most troubledmost rescued species (sulcata tortoises, pond slider turtles
and iguanas) are featured on the home page in really large photos along with instructional text
regarding care. Overall, the tone of the site is quite serious and warnings about the consequences
of poor reptile care are delivered with bold text. Other links lead to contact information,
adoption fees, reptile housing requirements, pet sitting services and event information (birthday
parties and other functions).
The audience for the web site might be divided into at least three categories:

Those who seeking rescue for their own pet or one they have found (or they are
reporting neglect of someone elses pet)

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Those who have an exotic pet and are seeking information on care
Those who are researching in advance of obtaining a pet

Overall, the reader leaves the site with the feeling that they have been warned about the
limitations of owning this type of animal. For example, consider this information that TRR has
published about the iguana:
Iguanas are not easy to raise and care for. They should live over 20 years, can grow
over 5' long, have very sharp teeth and claws and their tails can inflict a painful whip.
Just because they are herbivores does not make them a safer pet! They need huge
amounts of space, lots of attention, high humidity, daily soaks, daily salads with variety,
direct sunlight or artificial UV lighting (glass blocks UV) and supplements. They need
12'x6'x6' of space as an adult. They can get respiratory and skin infections as well as
other medical problems from improper conditions. Please consider adopting an iguana if
you want one as a pet instead of buying at a pet store and supporting the mass
importation of these misunderstood animals. Homeownership and a home visit required
to adopt.
Depending upon the reader and what category of the audience they occupy, this
information is either going to translate into an affirmation for the current iguana owner (I get it!
Thats why I have to give it up!) or it will provide the prospective owner with some things to
consider before they make the purchase (Whoa! I better think this over! or Hey! Now I know
what I need!). The message is ultimately meant to lead to an adoption from TRR but it also
clearly lets the reader know that the animals welfare is what is most important; hopefully that
compassion will also lead to an adoption or at least a donation.
Facebook

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Tucson Reptile Rescue uses Facebook almost exclusively for most of its communication
with the public. Their page now has over 4500 followers. It is here that they post alerts for lost
and found animals, upcoming events and pictures of newly adopted reptiles with their new
owners. The page also serves as a type of FAQ. For instance, after posting a photo and
information about a reptile up for adoption, there are usually commenters asking questions about
care or other subjects. A typical dialogue would look like this:
I have a leo [leopard tortoise] that is not eating what do I do?
Like Reply 1 November 1 at 8:43pm
Tucson Reptile Rescue: How long has it been? Has it visibly lost weight? How old and what
gender? What is your set up like? What are your temperatures? There are many different reasons
an animal will stop eating that can be addressed by changing the environment or varying the
diet but sometimes they need to go to the vet to be checked for parasites or other medical
causing of going off food.
The writer giving the above answer is not necessarily a veterinarian. However, an experienced
reptile owner/handler would be qualified to give this type of advice. The response will often
initiate more comments and questions from others
Heres an example of a Lost & Found update:
Anyone missing their giant tortoise from the west side of town? Found on 22nd and
Greasewood. You must have pictures to claim him. He's obviously been well cared for, someone
must be missing him. Please share to help us find his family.
*update his name is Tank and he's now happily reunited with his family.

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Prior to Tanks reunion with his owners, several people commented on this post offering to
adopt him. TRR used that opportunity to advance their goal by posting the URL of their website.
A photo was also posted on the Facebook page of some boa constrictors with a plea for
donations to help with their care. Once the picture is clicked, the donor is taken to the Go
Fund Me web site. The following was written by TRR to give the donor additional information:
We have 9 adult boa constrictors at Tucson Reptile Rescue right now. We took in 5 in one week
and they can be difficult to place in qualified homes. Boa constrictors are way over bred by
people because they are inexpensive and have live birth but unfortunately many of those cute
babies end up unwanted pets as they become adults. These snakes get large and need room to
move around and they eat large meals. When averaged out, each boa costs around $55 a month
to maintain here at the shelter including food, housing, heat and vet bills. We only charge a $50
adoption fee for a boa after they are rehabilitated and some of them stay with us for over a year
before they are adopted.
Tucson Reptile Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal shelter that is completely community
supported, we receive no government funding or grants. Please help us cover their overhead for
the month of November.
At times, TRR has used Go Fund Me requesting donations towards their rent, utility and vet
bills.
Although they also use other social sites such as Twitter and Instagram, Tucson Reptile
Rescue uses Facebook to reach out for help and to assist others. Since TRR does not pay for any
kind of advertising, I can only make the conjecture that they are followed on Facebook due to
word of mouth, previous contact or as a result of an event. If nothing else, following them on

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Facebook leads the audience to a lot of information about reptiles and their care. If someone is
moved by a certain story or situation, that emotional reaction could result in a donation.
Limited printed materials
As mentioned earlier, I attended the Tucson Reptile Show where I visited TRRs booth
and picked up a couple of flyers. One was an informational pamphlet about red-eared slider
turtles and the other was an adoption brochure. I recently called Lane Smith to ask if they use
other flyers or printed material. He responded by telling me that people just throw those away.
He emphasized that the organization has made more progress by doing personal and public
events such as birthday parties, scout meetings or other face-to-face presentations. They also
take some of their animals to schools so that children can get a good close up view of exotic
reptiles. The general announcement of event availability is published on TRRs Facebook page
and typically looks like this:
Did you know that we're available for events? We can bring up to 12 reptiles to birthday
parties, schools and other events. You would have a hands on experience with insured,
experienced, volunteers and healthy animals that have been seen by a vet. Our volunteers will be
available to answer any questions about the beautiful reptiles. All proceeds go directly to the
animals in our care, we're all volunteers and no one profits from our events except the animals.
If you're wanting a real educational reptile presentation and you want to help an animal shelter,
then we're the organization for you! Call us today to schedule a time.
Parties can be at our facility as well as your home, classroom, office or at a park.

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I think that Tucson Reptile Rescue has done a wonderful job using the communication
tools available to them while operating on a very low budget. They have had so many obstacles
to overcome, including the Tucson Reptile Show and over 20 local pet stores selling reptiles in a
haphazard manner. If it were not for their passion to spread the word, either in print or in person,
about this unique shelter, many of these unwanted creatures would have no place else to go. With
Tucson Reptile Rescues help, maybe theyll get a second chance.

Works Cited
Tucson Reptile Rescue, Facebook, Facebook. Web. 15 Nov. 2015

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https://www.facebook.com/TucsonReptileRescue/
Tucson Reptile Rescue, Home page. Web. 15 Nov. 2015
http://www.tucsonreptilerescue.com/