The Nature Conservancy in Florida - Exotic pets- what to do when you can longer care for them

Due to Florida's prominence in the exotic pet trade, iguanas imported as pets have escaped or been released, and are now established in South Florida. South Florida's climate allows these large lizards to survive, reproduce, and become part of the Florida environment.

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Python Invasion

Invasive Burmese pythons are swimming to Florida's Keys! See how our "Python Patrol" is helping to stop them.

Invasive Species

Learn how the Conservancy is helping to combat invasive species in Florida and around the world.

Pets that become too much for an owner to care for and then are released in nearby water or woods are a major cause of invasive species outbreaks across the United States.

As a way to prevent that from happening, prospective buyers should consider the entire lifecycle of the pet they are interested in before buying it. And if they still end up with a bully in their aquarium or a 10-foot python with an appetite that includes rabbits, they should be aware that a release in the wild isn’t a kind solution.

“While we have problems with certain pets establishing large populations in the wrong places — pythons multiplying in the Everglades and Gambian rats dominating in the Keys — a lot of these released pets don’t survive,” said Kris Serbesoff-King, The Nature Conservancy’s invasive species program manager in Florida. “They get eaten as prey, they die from disease, they get hit by cars. It’s not really a humane thing to do.”

Owners who can no longer care for an exotic pet should instead:

Check with the store where they purchased it about taking it back.
Look for a certified adopter, or
Consult with their vet about humane euthanasia.
Check to see if a pet amnesty day is offered in your state.

Pet Amnesty Day

In Florida, a pet amnesty day is scheduled in Miami March 21 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) where people can surrender exotic pets for free, no questions asked.

All surrendered pets will be examined by a licensed veterinarian and FWC will look for qualified adopters for the healthy ones. Exotic reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and mammals will be accepted: domestic pets, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, will not. The event will be at the Miami MetroZoo from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The agency is looking to certify more adopters so they can offer to help people year-round. For more information, see their Web site: http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/.