We just rescued 8-year-old Phoebo from my cousin. He was starving and emaciated. I wasn’t planning on getting a brother for Hakuna, but when I saw Phoebo at my cousin's, I couldn’t leave him in that squalor, starving. My mother took one look at him and started screaming, “Is he dead?” He just looked so empty of hope and life. He was covered in and so was his enclosure. The smell was beyond. He’s had no UVB most of his life, and when he had it, all he had was coil. He has significant MBD (metabolic bone disease) that is not reversible. He has trouble walking and sometimes loses his footing and falls. My cousin told me he pooped every three weeks and all he ever really got was super worms occasionally. They left the lights on 24 hours a day because they said he liked it. Never took him to any vet. Oh, no calcium or supplements either.

After weeks of negotiation with my cousin, he finally agreed to let me take him. We drove several hours to Connecticut to get him and brought him home. He’s been eating and basking, but has a significant swelling under his left eye that needs an exotic vet urgently. My exotic vet is able to see him tomorrow. Funds will be used for exotic vet care, medicine and a new tank so she can be safe and get healthy. He will also probably need x-rays and lab work to see the extent of what’s going on with her.

The fish tank that he came with has been causing him a lot of stress since it opens on the top. It’s very difficult to get his lighting/temps and UVB correct with this setup, so I had to buy a front-opening tank because it was urgent. When Mr. Rex was diagnosed with cancer, many people suggested I do a GoFundMe, but I didn’t. It was very hard. Anything you can contribute would be helpful because this is going to be expensive long term I can see with his MBD disability as well. I’m going to have to make it a handicap tank because he also has trouble getting around. I will have to buy an appropriate ramp. I’m going to have to make modifications to help make it easier for him to move around without falling but allow him to bask safely.