Reptile Rescue Service founder honored for service to wide array of reptiles, amphibians and wild mammals

WEST VALLEY CITY — First you have to get by the guard dogs.

Once inside James Dix's home, which doubles as the headquarters for his Reptile Rescue Service, there's a surprise around every corner.

Earl the raccoon is in a wire cage below that of skunk. Next them are three alligators. Next to them is a pool teaming with 525 red-eared slider turtles, which were impounded by police because they were too small to be sold.

In the garage, heated to a toasty 90 degrees, one finds dozens of exotic snakes, including a python that killed a human and a not-so petite 21-foot tiger reticulated python that weighs in at about 250 pounds.

And on a typical Friday in the not-so-typical life of Dix, the rescue's founder and chief volunteer, he's heading out the door to a construction job. On the way home, he's picking up two turtles and three snakes to add to the 850-plus snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators, tortoises, frogs as well as a few coyotes, raccoons and a skunk presently living in or about his home.

This past week, Dix was honored by Salt Lake County as a 2011 Vital Volunteer during a brief ceremony in the County Council Chambers for "his efforts to care and rescue sick, impounded, endangered and unwanted reptiles and other animal species," said Salt Lake Mayor Peter Corroon.

He was also recognized for the outreach programs he provides to educate people about the importance of treating all species of animals with respect. Reptile Rescue also offers safe-handling classes to animal control officers, peace officers and the Utah Animal Control Officers Association.

Dix, who is assisted by seven other volunteers including two veterinarians who specialize in exotic animals, has permits from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to hold, rescue, provide care and exhibit exotic animals and snake species.

Dix's interest in reptiles stems back to his childhood in California, where he lived on a private lake near Simi Valley.

"I've been doing reptiles, collecting them and having them as pets since I was 12 and I'm 51 currently," Dix said. "I caught a lot of snakes, frogs and amphibians and it stayed with me."

The rescue started with Dix adopting a box turtle from Salt Lake County Animal Services for $5.