Zoo Miami To Host Exotic Pet Amnesty Day Event

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Sometimes people sign up for things that, in the long run, turn out to be not the best idea—like acquiring an exotic animal as a pet.

On Saturday, March 12, Zoo Miami will host the annual Exotic Pet Amnesty Day for Miami-Dade County, which gives exotic pet owners the chance to safely surrender the animal(s) they can't care for—no questions asked. The event is sanctioned by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

"People get exotic pets thinking 'oh, this going to be a great pet' not realizing you can take the animal out of the wild but you can't take the wild out of the animal," said Zoo Miami's Ron Magill.

The animals will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. They will be checked by a veterinarian, and then be made available for adoption to experienced individuals who are capable of caring for them. Every attempt will be made to place all healthy animals with qualified adopters.

Amnesty Day events are held around the state to provide the opportunity for people to surrender their exotic pets free of charge with no penalties. The animals accepted include reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates.

"Whether you're keeping it legally or illegally bring it to the event and you can surrender it," said the Sarah Funck with the wildlife commission.

However those looking to surrender domestic animals—like dogs and cats—will be turned down.

Zoo Miami is hosting the event in an effort to reduce and prevent the release of nonnative animals into the wild.

"You're creating a monster," said Magill. "You're creating an animal that can do serious damage to our environment, can affect a lot of the native species that live in the environment"

Exotic pet adopters must be experienced and must have already applied and been approved by the FWC. Would-be adopters must bring their acceptance letters with them. People can find adopter applications at MyFWC.com. Becoming an adopter is free.

For additional information about this event, call the FWC's Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681). Exotic pet owners who cannot attend this event may call this number for assistance in finding a new home for their animal.