Exotic Pets Saved Through Animal Amnesty

March 24, 2008

MIAMI -- A major drawback to owning exotic animals is their need for special care. Often, these creatures become burdensome for untrained people and end up flushed, dumped or abandoned. One program aims to prevent that, with a little old fashioned amnesty.

The Pet Amnesty Day is a way to curb the illegal and dangerous act of turning exotic animals free -- into the wild.

One such waylaid pet is Sandy, the bearded dragon. Native to Australia, she's challenging to care for. She’s a long way from home, but is now in good hands thanks to wild life officials at the Miami Metro Zoo.

"(Bearded Dragons) come from very hot climates; they live in over 100 degrees," said Ron Magill of the Miami Metro Zoo, where Animal Amnesty takes place.

Her home must be heated, and she's a very finicky eater -- meal worms and spiders are her favorite. She needs sunlight, daily, to survive.

"And people think 'Oh, I can just keep it in a tank and throw in a meal worm with a thing of water,' " said Magill. “It’s not going to survive, it’s gonna (sic) get vitamin deficiencies, it’s gonna suffer. It’s not gonna make it. People start to realize that after a while and that’s when they try to give it away."

In fact, a bearded dragon just like Sandy was turned in at the recent exotic pet amnesty day in Miami. More than 150 animals were taken in free, no questions asked. The motley crew collected included a boa constrictor, a macaw, turtles and iguanas.

"We even had a serval cat, a wild spotted cat from Africa donated, some of us were surprised by the variety of animals that were turned in," said Magill.

The number one goal of Animal Amnesty Day here at the Miami MetroZoo is to ensure exotic pets don't end up being released into the wild, where they can harm native animal populations.

"We’re encountering that problem right now with the pythons in the everglades, people have a tendency to release these animals into the everglades or into the wild and that is causing a big problem with us now,” said Jorge Pino of Florida Fish & Wildlife.

“We’re trying to combat that the best we can," he said. "But it might be a no-win situation at this point."

Pino is urging people check the facts and licensing requirements before they even consider buying an exotic animal. For example, a tiny green iguana at the pet store can grow to six feet in length.

"Do your homework -- what size does this animal get after a few months, after a few years," said Pinp. "What kind of food does the animal need, to make sure you’re going to be comfortable caring for an animal."

Animal expert Ron Magill has other advice for those who are searching for their next creature companion. He believes no wild animals make a good family pet.

“If you want a good pet, save an animal that’s in a pound," said Magill. "I mean, we have thousands and thousands of animals in pounds, cats and dogs that are looking for good homes. That will give you the love and affection that an animal like this can’t give you.”

And save the exotic animals, for your next visit to the zoo.

To find out more about the animal amnesty program, visit the zoo’s Web site at miamimetrozoo.com.

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