Day to Part With Prohibited Pets

Exotic pet owners will get an Amnesty Day.

Not everybody has a cat or a dog as a pet, but there are some animals the state says simply shouldn't be pets. Later this month, you will have the chance to turn in your exotic animal without penalty.

On March 1, the state expanded the list of exotic animals that are prohibited as pets, which includes alligators, snakes such as pythons, some lizards, serval cats and wolves.

On March 31, the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and Beardsley Zoo will hold an Amnesty Day for Prohibited Exotic Pets. 

Cynthia Schneider from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said, "We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. It will be completely anonymous."

During Amnesty Day, anyone who has an exotic pet on the prohibited list will be able to surrender it at the zoo on Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Contact Us