Edmonds’ Frog Lady rescues amphibians so you can adopt them

Thayer Cuter calls herself The Frog Lady.

“I’ve specialized with frogs and toads my whole life.”

Her Edmonds non-profit shop, Just Frogs, Toads too: Foundation and Amphibian Center is a rescue center for turtles, frogs, lizards, toads.

“Most of the frogs and the toads that have been brought in here are from people that either had them as a pet previously or found them in the wild. They shouldn’t be in the wild,” Thayer said.

Animal shelters don’t usually take in amphibians, so Thayer made it her mission to care for them.

In the shop, you’ll hear a cacophony of gurgling water filters. It’s a small, round store decorated with Thayer’s stuffed frog collection. There are 1,500 on display, she owns a total of 10,000, she said. And the real-life cold blooded creatures relax under sun lamps, in sparkling clean tanks lovingly cleaned by Thayer and her volunteers.

Unfortunately, more animals come in than are adopted out.

“I lost count after 36 more Fire-belly toads came in. But, [we have] about 139 frogs, toads, lizards, turtles. I don’t even start counting bugs,” Thayer said.

As a former vet tech, she helps get some of the sick animals back into shape. “Rocky got his name because Rocky is a Texas toad that came to us with a whole bunch of rocks in his tummy. He had to have a lot of enemas. So little Rocky here is rock free now because he passed all of his rocks like a good boy and then he was able to eat.”

You haven’t lived until you’ve given a frog an enema.

Thayer has had a lifelong interest in amphibians. She began working with them when she was 10, at her uncle’s veterinary clinic.

Thayer’s birthday is on St Patrick’s Day. When she was born, Thayer received green frog and lucky charm gifts.

“So that started my interest in frogs as well as raising them as tadpoles. Then, thanks to my uncle, working with more exotics and veterinary when I was a child,” Thayer said. “I’m still doing it.”

During the week, Thayer welcomes hundreds of children from local schools. She educates them, lets them get up close and personal, and hopes they’ll be inspired by the experience. On Wednesdays and weekends, the public is invited to visit, take a class, and take something home. All the critters all make lovely pets, Thayer said.

“Every one of the turtles in here actually knows you. They know where the food is coming from, they are very social,” Thayer said. “I’ve known several of these turtles for over 20 years, so they become your pets just like a cat or a dog.

“For me, they’re not a cuddly pet, but I am attached to them because they need help and they need someone who knows how to care for them and someone to love them. But I can’t cuddle too many of the frogs. But I do hold them and I do hold the turtles, and they get a massage and they really like it. So they look forward to being held that way.”

Yes, massage. I saw it happen, and I imagine it’s a much better experience than a frog enema.