Zoo Miami To Accept Exotic Pets During Amnesty Day
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – People who have exotic pets they can no longer handle will have a chance to do what is best for the animals during Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day; an effort to keep unwanted exotic pets out of Florida's native ecosystems.
The FWC and Zoo Miami will host Exotic Pet Amnesty Day, Saturday April 13th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zoo Miami located at 12400 SW 152nd Street.
Exotic reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and mammals will be accepted; domestic pets will not be accepted.
It's free of charge and there are no penalties.
It is illegal to release any nonnative species in Florida, but many pet owners are not aware of this regulation or know that most captive species will not survive in the wild.
Examples of exotics pets surrendered at past Pet Amnesty events include Burmese pythons, parrots, monkeys and even turtles.
The event is free and open to the public. Animal experts will be on hand to answer questions and help teach people how to be responsible pet owners.
A veterinarian will examine each animal, and the healthy animals will be placed with pre-qualified adopters.
Click here for more information on Pet Amnesty Day.
More than 500 nonnative species have been observed in Florida, and more than 130 have reproducing populations.
