Amnesty Day at the Jacksonville Zoo a Great Opportunity
In the Jacksonville area and in other areas throughout coastal Florida, there are some people who are passionate about animals and who often get caught up in the idea that exotic pets are a really good idea. Not only are many of these exotic pets difficult to care for (and a violation of many condo community bylaws), but also they create a risk for the natural habitats, those in the area as well as the owners. It’s because of this that the Jacksonville Zoo will be offering an Amnesty Day:
(source) The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is hosting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Pet Amnesty Day on Saturday for people to turn over exotic pets they can no longer care for anymore.
Owners of nonnative pets are encouraged not to set them free, but instead drop them off from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the zoo’s main parking lot, with no questions asked. In an effort to keep them out of Florida’s ecosystems, Fish and Wildlife is accepting no-longer-wanted exotic pets such as reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and mammals. Domestic pets such as cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets will not be accepted.
In other words, if you’ve got family pets that you cannot keep, look toward traditional shelters; if you can no longer care for a large snake, reptiles or even non-domestic mammals, this is a good thing to mark on your calendar and plan to attend.