EcoLocalizer

You know those “safe-haven” laws that let parents drop off their unwanted kids in a safe place without fear of consequences? (In Nebraska, it’s even legal to give up an unruly 18-year-old!) Well, Florida’s doing the same thing for unwanted pythons, cougars and other non-permitted exotic pets.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) this week adopted a new rule that lets state and county animal control agencies take in non-native animals whose owners can’t — or don’t want to — take care of them anymore. No questions asked. No penalties.

• » See also: Grayson Speaks Truth and Fire
• » Get EcoLocalizer by RSS or sign up by email.

The action is aimed at curbing the number of abandoned non-native species that are being found in the Everglades and other areas.

“Release of exotic animals by pet owners remains a significant pathway for the introduction of non-native species,” said Scott Hardin of the FWC. “As a result, the FWC initiated a series of pet amnesty events to provide an option for owners of exotic pets to surrender their unwanted pets to responsible agencies or individuals instead of illegally releasing them.”

The state’s next “Pet Amnesty Day” is set for Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Jacksonville Zoo. Another one is expected to be held in Miami early next year.

Normally, it’s against the law to transfer exotic wildlife without proper permitting. But state officials have found that restriction has led to people dumping unwanted pet snakes, gators and other critters into the wild, where they’re either unable to fend for themselves or become pests that harm native species. You might remember, for example, the 13-foot python a few years back that busted its gut (literally) after trying to swallow whole a live, six-foot-long alligator.

Related posts:

Heat Waves, Drought and, Great, Now Giant Snakes

Tweet This Post

You might also like: