Crazy Critters was approved as an FWC Amnesty location. What does that mean you ask?
“Our native fish and wildlife are facing a serious threat posed by various invasive species found throughout the state,” Kipp Frohlich, director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation said recently.
Adding, “This new rule will help prevent those species on the prohibited list from becoming the next Burmese python.”
He was speaking regarding the new rule approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in February and went into effect May 2. The regulations will help proactively protect Florida from invasive species becoming established in the state.
Existing Prohibited Species:
- Indian or Burmese python (Python molurus)
- Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
- Northern African python (Python sebae)
- Southern African python (Python natalensis)
- Amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus)
- Scrub python (Morelia kinghorni)
- Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
- Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)
New Rules Added Pre 2020:
- Mammals: meerkat/mongoose, raccoon dog, dhole, brushtail possum, flying fox.
- Birds: red-whiskered bul-bul, dioch, Java sparrow, pink starling.
- Reptiles: brown tree snake, yellow anaconda, Beni anaconda, DeSchauensee’s anaconda.
New Rules Added Post 2020
- Iguana (Iguana iguana)
- Argentine Tegu (Salvator merianae)
Exotic Pet Amnesty Days are events held periodically around the state to provide the opportunity for people to surrender their exotic pets free of charge with no penalties. Exotic Pet Amnesty Days are free and everyone is welcome to attend.
There are informative and educational displays at most amnesty events and live animals are usually on exhibit.
Kids and families can see exotic animals up close and learn about nonnative species issues. Exotic pets can be surrendered at amnesty events from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Due to the high volume of pond turtles surrendered, red-eared sliders, yellow-bellied sliders, cooters, chicken turtles, and redbelly turtles will NOT be accepted at Exotic Pet Amnesty Day events (unless specifically arranged by the FWC). Please call 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681) to be put on the waitlist for adoption.
This free event is open to the public. Professionals from each organization will be onsite with information about caring for exotic pets, responsible pet ownership, and potential ecological impacts of invasive species in Florida.
Animals that will be accepted include nonnative species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates.
Domestic animals such as dogs, cats guinea pigs, and rabbits will not be accepted. Click for more information on the FWC Amnesty Program. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/amnesty-program/
Stay Tuned for more Amnesty Day dates! All are TBD at the time of the publishing of this page.
Good News!
Crazy Critters was approved as an FWC Amnesty location. What does that mean you ask?
You do not have to wait for an amnesty day to surrender your animal!
In order to protect Florida’s wild environment, we have joined the FWC Amnesty Program!
No question asked, no risks of fines or penalties, and no fees.
Crazy Critters Inc. is available and approved for the following species.
- Anoles
- Aquatic amphibians (clawed frogs, African dwarf frogs, axolotls)
- Arachnids
- Blue-tongued skinks
- Box turtles
- Canary, Finch, Cockatiel, Lovebird, Parakeet, Dove Pigeon
- Chameleons
- Day and Crested geckos
- Desert tortoises (leopard, sulcata, etc.)
- Hedgehogs
- Macaws
- Monitors
- Nile monitors
- Parrots and conures
- Pond turtles (sliders, musk, mud, painted, etc.)
- Semi-aquatic amphibians (fire-bellied toads, horned toads, pixie frogs, etc.)
- Sugar gliders
- Tegus
- Temperate tortoises (red-footed, yellow-footed, Russian, Greek, etc.)
- Terrapins
- Terrestrial amphibians (spotted and tiger salamanders, treefrogs, etc.)
- Uromastyx
- Iguana Iguana
- Conditional Animals: Red-ear Slider, Nile monitors
Do we house your animal or are we going to? Here is our adoption form. It helps us keep track of names and other information.
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This is Kathy with Gainesville Rabbit Rescue and on occasion we receive in bags of Chinchilla food donated to us from different stores. These bags are open bags and wanted to know if you woukd be interested in us donating them to you.