Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Gisser. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Founded in 2013, The Herps Alive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, and caring for unwanted, neglected, and abused reptiles and amphibians and to finding new homes for them, when possible, with an emphasis on educating the public. Founder and Executive Director Keith Gisser has been a herpetology educator most of his life and has always offered a rescue service. That became unsustainable in the late oughts, and he looked to form a non-profit, spinning off the non-profit Herps Alive Foundation from Herps Alive! The Interactive Reptile and Amphibian Experience.
Originally, the organization was going to be a foster-based rescue, but in October of 2013, Gisser was called to an apartment in Struthers, Ohio to assist with the seizure of over 100 reptiles, including cobras and rattlesnakes. The rescue went from having 100 animals to 200, and when this seizure made national news, soon 250. It became critical to find a space. The Foundation took control of its current facility in March of 2014 and opened on December 24, 2014, after a nine-month renovation. The Foundation is currently in the process of buying that facility, located at 1489 Garden Drive in South Euclid, allowing it to expand its services. In a typical year, the Herps Alive Foundation takes in about 725 animals and adopts out about 525, although 2022 intakes are on pace to exceed 800.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has never been a reptile rescue that operates under the Humane Scoiety model — with standard, published hours where adoptable animals can be viewed, so there was some skepticism.
And as an all-volunteer organization, staffing has been an issue, especially in light of Covid. That remains our biggest current challenge.
As renters, we were limited in what we could do with the building, too. With the impending purchase of our facility, we will be able to overcome many of those challenges.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I began doing herpetology education as a senior in high school (first paid show) and did it on and off throughout my younger years. It has been my primary source of income for about the last 25 years, with the exception of a break to watch my kids (now in their 30s) grow up. We appear at colleges, libraries, community events, and more, offering hands-on educational programs. We won several programming awards from the National Association for Campus Activities. While there are plenty of animal educators out there, we stick with what we know — reptiles and amphibians and offer a unique blend of interaction, humor, and education.
As far as the rescue, rehabilitating and finding homes for thousands of reptiles is very gratifying. I am also thrilled with the number of our former volunteers who know work at zoos, rescues, sanctuaries, and Veterinary practices across the country.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Cleveland is incredibly underrated. I did not realize that until I started traveling to other cities. Great orchestra, rabid sports fans, an unequaled park system, great dining opportunities. You name it; you can get it here. And of course, all the museums.
I could live without winter snows. The cold doesn’t bother me. Shoveling does.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/herpsalive
- Twitter: @herpsalive
Image Credits
Keith Gisser
Greg Giancola
