MetroZoo in Miami, FL Holding Pet Amnesty Day

The Metrozoo in Miami, FL is holding a pet amnesty day this coming Saturday. The object of the event is to allow exotic pet owners to drop the unwanted pets off at the zoo - without prosecution. Licensed exotic animal breeders will be on hand to adopt and place the unwanted critters in loving homes.

Okay, let’s think about it this way……you buy a snake, say a Burmese Python - and at first it is fun to have around. Then it starts to get big….a little too big for your taste. What can you do with it? Burmese Pythons grow to be up to 400 pounds and can be as long as 23 feet! Most pet owners have discovered they have a hard time finding someone to purchase the animal and end up releasing it into the wild. There are serious consequences when owners do this. When you release a predator into the wild, you are upsetting the delicate eco-system and you are doing irreparable harm to the environment.

In 2005 the exotic animal problem became all too real when a gruesome scene was discovered in the Florida Everglades. A 13 foot python was discovered dead with a 6 foot alligator (also dead) protruding from its belly. Scientists believe the snake was attempting to swallow the gator whole when the python’s stomach exploded. If pythons are continually released into the wild, the balance of predator and prey becomes skewed. Alligators are viewed as the highest predator in Florida, but all that will change if python populations increase.

The event on Saturday is sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Metrozoo. It will be from 10am-2pm and the wildlife commission will be accepting any exotic or illegal pets (of any type) absolutely free of charge and no questions asked. This is an effort to deter owners from simply releasing their unwanted pets into the environment. The penalty for releasing an invasive species (such as the Burmese Python) is up to one year in jail and a $750 fine.

Last year a similar event was held in Central Florida with about 60 exotic pets being turned in. New legislation is currently in place (as of January 1st). Known as the Reptile of Concern Law, it requires owners of certain species of cold-blooded predators to pay a $100 annual permit and have microchips implanted in larger lizards and snakes. This service will also be available at the Miami zoo on Saturday for a cost of $25. If an owner were to get the procedure done at a veterinarian, it would cost around $45.

It is important to note that the event will take in any species of exotic animals, but it will not be able to accept domestic animals such as cats, dogs, or ferrets. You may be surprised to see ferrets on the list, but a spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Commission says ferrets are incredibly difficult to place in foster homes. This event is limited only to exotic animals, and even if you have something as extreme as a tiger, the zoo will take that animal and give it a good home.

On Saturday, over 25 breeders of exotic animals, as well as pet owners with the proper permits will be on hand to adopt and care for your unwanted animals. I really think this is a great opportunity for pet owners and this type of event should be held all across the country. How many people buy snakes or lizards without knowing much about the needs of the animal? Your snake or lizard may only be a foot long when you first get it, but how much time and effort have you put in to know as much as you can about the species? I think most people buy pets without doing any research, then when the animal gets too big or becomes too expensive, they have little or no options on what they can do. the exotic pet industry is certainly growing and without days like this particular amnesty day, owners may feel they have no choice but to release the animal.

Perhaps with good media coverage of this event, more zoos will recognize its importance and be willing to coordinate something similar in their city. It is wonderful that the zoo will take these animals, ask no questions about where you purchased them, and you will be able to walk out of there free and clear. Let’s get the word out about this amnesty day, hopefully zoos will take notice! Share this post with everyone you know and together we can make a difference in the world!

Applications for adopting the donated animals can be found at the zoo’s website:Miami Metrozoo

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Thanks for reading! As always your participation in comments and discussions are encouraged and greatly appreciated!!

On a side note, please check out my Saint Louis Mardi Gras Pet Parade post , I have added several pictures!!