Emerald Coast Outdoors

If you have an exotic pet you can’t care for anymore, please don’t just open the front door and set it free. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has a solution for you.

In an effort to keep unwanted exotic pets out of Florida’s native ecosystems, the FWC and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will host the fourth Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 370 Zoo Parkway in Jacksonville. Exotic reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and mammals will be accepted; domestic pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets) will not be accepted.

“Our main purpose is to give pet owners an alternative to releasing nonnative animals into the wild,” said Jenny Tinnell, FWC biologist. “It’s illegal to release a nonnative animal into the wild in Florida, and it could be detrimental for the animal and the environment.”

People can surrender exotic pets they can no longer care for, free of charge with no questions asked, at this one-day-only event.

“All surrendered pets will be examined by a licensed veterinarian, and if they appear healthy, we will try to place them with willing, qualified adopters,” Tinnell said.

Nonnative pet amnesty events help to increase awareness of nonnative species prob­lems. More than 400 nonnative species have been observed in Florida, with more than 130 with reproducing populations.

For more information on nonnative species in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/nonnatives/.