Rescue Group Needs a Little Help

Reptile Rescue Orange County (RROC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit exotic animal rescue founded by Sam Makki in 2008. For many years RROC resided here in Lake Forest until late last year, when the organization was forced to close its doors and put many animals at risk of euthanasia. But thanks to the dedication of RROC volunteers, especially Valerie Simpson stepping up and opening up her home to the many animals at the rescue, RROC animals have been in foster care. The non-profit takes in animals that have been abused, neglected, abandoned, are unwanted or have been confiscated. Unfortunately because of the now limited space, many animals have had to be turned away simply because there is no room to house or rehabilitate them.

It has been the goal of RROC to return to Lake Forest and open up a facility to the public to be able to interact with the animals. The non-profits goal is to rehabilitate animals brought under its care, adopt animals that are healthy enough to find a Forever Home, and bring an education program to children to teach them about these wonderful creatures and how to protect the environment.

Because the rescue is completely funded by public donations and does not receive any funding from the government it has struggled to raise enough funds to be able to open up a location. A GoFundMe page has been created where generous people like you in the community can help bring this organization back to Lake Forest and give it a permanent home.

If you are interested in donating to support this amazing rescue please visit www.GoFundMe.com/SaveOCRR or donate directly at the website www.reptilerescueoc.org or on the facebook page facebook.com/reptilerescueorangecounty. All donations made to support RROC are tax-deductible.

With your support this great little rescue can become an integral part of our children’s education by providing them with a hands on wildlife experience that they will always remember.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be on August 13 at 2 pm at the Foothill Ranch Public Library.

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