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Our
Adoption Application is currently down. Please check back in a
day or two. If you are interested in adopting, please email
adoptioncoordinator@arrowheadreptilerescue.org.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
We make
every effort to find donated animals loving homes. If you are
interested in adopting from us, please read this entire page. We
follow these procedures strictly and without exception.
REQUIREMENTS TO
ADOPT:
You must be able to provide adequate
housing, nutrition, and medical care for a reptile. We prefer that
you have some experience with reptiles, but we will consider willing
learners if we feel you will follow it through. You must meet our
conditions for providing a good home; we determine whether or not
you meet our conditions by using the information given on your
adoption application and your submitted photographs. In general, you
must be willing to pick up the animal in person.
WE DO NOT SHIP!
ADOPTION PROCEDURE:
First,
browse the lists above to find a specific reptile you want to adopt.
You should check back regularly if you don't see what you want, as
our site is updated frequently.
Once you find a
reptile you want to adopt and that you can properly care for, you
will need to submit an adoption application (applications are
located at the bottom of this page). When submitting an adoption
application, we also require you send in pictures of your cage and
habitat. Please ensure that your photos show the entire
setup, including all cage furnishings and equipment.
We receive a lot of
applications. It can take up to a week or more for us to
respond, depending on current case load and schedule. We do our best
to make this process as speedy as we can, but please be patient as
we only have the reptile's best interests at heart. Feel free
to submit an application even if you don't see the species of
reptile you want, and we will keep your application active for one
year. There is no charge or fee to submit an application.
We adopt by
appointment only!
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR
ADOPTION APPROVAL:
Applications for
ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES
are only considered if submitted by a trained professional who
intends to use the animal for education or display purposes.
Apps for
MEDICAL CASES
will only be accepted and considered if submitted by a professional
with the ability to provide specialized care (ie: veterinarians, vet
assistants or techs, wildlife rehabilitators, zookeepers, etc).
Only AZA accredited institutions will be considered for
information about a
venomous
reptile adoption.
We prefer to adopt
aquatic turtles
to those who have ponds and water gardens. Only the very
largest aquariums are suitable for long-term housing for most
aquatic turtles. Outdoor ponds must be secure and contained.
For turtles that are not native to your area, you must be prepared
to house them indoors for at least a portion of the year.
Applicants
interested in
large tortoises
must have a large, fenced area outdoors for roaming and grazing.
Depending on your location and climate, you will likely also have to
provide suitable indoor housing for part of the year.
Extremely
large (+10') and/or overly aggressive snakes
will only be adopted to experienced herp keepers with appropriately
sized enclosures.
Iguanas,
most monitors, and other
large lizards
need big enclosures. As a rule, aquariums are not acceptable
housing for large lizards.
Amphibians must have a
proper terrarium environment to thrive. A 5-gallon tank with
gravel in the bottom is not suitable amphibian habitat.
Native turtles over 4" and native snakes over 18" are
microchipped prior to adoption according to Division of Wildlife
requirements. We will implant a
PIT tag in native reptiles for no additional charge. It is
your responsibility to obtain a permit from the Division of Wildlife
($25).
You have
the option of registering any animal you adopt from Arrowhead that
is PIT tagged with a national pet registry tracking service AT NO
COST. If your pet is ever lost or stolen, it can be identified and
returned to you.
The nominal
adoption fees that we collect are one of our few income sources.
These monies are necessary to cover the costs of feeding, supplies,
and care of the animals. We do not charge an adoption fee for
direct owner to owner transfers, but donations are gladly
accepted.
We will adopt
out captive reptiles only. Wild animals are not available for
adoption.
If
you need more information about adopting after reading this entire
page,
Feel free to contact our adoption coordinator.
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