By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
EVERETT — A lucky lizard stowaway from India who wound up in a Costco box full of lawn ornaments landed in paradise when an Edmonds couple turned him over to a one-of-a-kind reptile sanctuary.
The lizard, apparently a 3-inch-long gecko, was picked up by Nancy Lanning, who runs Kindred Spirits in Poulsbo.
There, hundreds of lost reptiles are kept in "basically a lizard-like state," said Richard Huffman, spokesman for PAWS.
PAWS, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, wasn’t able to take the lizard, but referred the reptile to Kindred Spirits. Lanning did not return phone calls Tuesday.
"There are a lot of sanctuaries for all the touchy-feely type animals but lizards are the ones people don’t care about. But Lanning saw a real need," Huffman said.
And for Edmonds couple Jeff and Theresa Donnell, it was a relief to find the lost reptile a home.
Jeff described he and his wife as cat and dog people.
"My first concern was that maybe it was poisonous or maybe it was sent as a joke," Jeff said Tuesday. "Then I thought it could have some weird disease."
The Donnells discovered the gecko when they opened a package of lawn ornaments — decorative whooping cranes — and were surprised to find the lizard inside. The couple called the Everett Costco where they bought the ornaments, but were told to call PAWS.
PAWS couldn’t take the reptile, but did give the Donnells a cage for it. PAWS told the Donnells they had received 25 calls from people interested in the lizard, some offering to adopt it.
But now that won’t be necessary.
Kindred Spirits is part of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, a nonprofit international organization whose aim is to improve reptilian care through education and research.
And though the lizard has already lost nearly all of its tail because of shock, it’s probably in the best hands.
"The lizards need care and help like any other animal," Huffman said.
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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