11-29-2007, 09:10 PM
Note to media: Do you want to get a glimpse of a few of the nonnative animals that could be turned in on Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day? We invite you to the FWC's Miamilaw enforcement office for a personal introduction at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. The address is 3200 N.E. 151st Street, Miami, 33181.
FWC looking for good homes for unwanted nonnative pets
Is your pet python a pest? Is your boa a bore? Has your scaly-breasted lorikeet overstayed its welcome?
If you have an exotic pet that you can't care for anymore, don't just open the front door and set it free. It's illegal to release a nonnative animal into the wild inFlorida, and it could be detrimental for the animal and the environment. In an effort to keep unwanted exotic pets out of South Florida's native ecosystem, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Miami Metro Zoo will host the third Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day in February in Miami.
"We are expecting to get quite a few nonnative animals that day, so we need to make sure we have safe homes for them," said Jenny Tinnell of the FWC. "Released pets are a common pathway that allows exotic species into the wild. Often, pet owners don't understand the difference between native and nonnative species, or they don't realize the possible effects releasing a nonnative species can have. This event gives pet owners who can no longer take care of their pets or no longer wish to keep them a legal option."
Right now, the FWC is looking for potential South Florida adopters, who will be recruited as part of FWC's goal to establish a statewide nonnative animal adoption pro gram. All adopters will be certified before they receive surrendered animals.
Pet Amnesty Day will be Feb 23 at Miami Metro Zoo. It's free and open to the public. Animals can be turned over free of charge with no questions asked and no penalties. A veterinarian will examine each animal, and every attempt will be made to place all healthy animals with qualified adopters.
Nonnative pet amnesty events help to increase awareness of nonnative species prob lems. Over 400 nonnative species have been observed in Florida, and more than 130 have reproducing populations.
For more information on nonnative species in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/nonnatives/ online.
Anyone interested in adopting nonnative pets should call Jenny Tinnell at (850) 926-0128. Potential adopters will be allowed to sign up over the phone until Dec. 21, 2007. The formal certification process will begin in January 2008. Adopters must be at least 18, with no history of felonies, wildlife or cruelty violations, and no resource or captive wildlife violations for the past 3 years. Adopters must have knowledge of natural history and caging requirements and have proper facilities for the animals they are interested in adopting. There is no fee for being a certified adopter.
Media Contact:
Officer Jorge Pino, (561) 723-1417
FWC looking for good homes for unwanted nonnative pets
Is your pet python a pest? Is your boa a bore? Has your scaly-breasted lorikeet overstayed its welcome?
If you have an exotic pet that you can't care for anymore, don't just open the front door and set it free. It's illegal to release a nonnative animal into the wild inFlorida, and it could be detrimental for the animal and the environment. In an effort to keep unwanted exotic pets out of South Florida's native ecosystem, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Miami Metro Zoo will host the third Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day in February in Miami.
"We are expecting to get quite a few nonnative animals that day, so we need to make sure we have safe homes for them," said Jenny Tinnell of the FWC. "Released pets are a common pathway that allows exotic species into the wild. Often, pet owners don't understand the difference between native and nonnative species, or they don't realize the possible effects releasing a nonnative species can have. This event gives pet owners who can no longer take care of their pets or no longer wish to keep them a legal option."
Right now, the FWC is looking for potential South Florida adopters, who will be recruited as part of FWC's goal to establish a statewide nonnative animal adoption pro gram. All adopters will be certified before they receive surrendered animals.
Pet Amnesty Day will be Feb 23 at Miami Metro Zoo. It's free and open to the public. Animals can be turned over free of charge with no questions asked and no penalties. A veterinarian will examine each animal, and every attempt will be made to place all healthy animals with qualified adopters.
Nonnative pet amnesty events help to increase awareness of nonnative species prob lems. Over 400 nonnative species have been observed in Florida, and more than 130 have reproducing populations.
For more information on nonnative species in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/nonnatives/ online.
Anyone interested in adopting nonnative pets should call Jenny Tinnell at (850) 926-0128. Potential adopters will be allowed to sign up over the phone until Dec. 21, 2007. The formal certification process will begin in January 2008. Adopters must be at least 18, with no history of felonies, wildlife or cruelty violations, and no resource or captive wildlife violations for the past 3 years. Adopters must have knowledge of natural history and caging requirements and have proper facilities for the animals they are interested in adopting. There is no fee for being a certified adopter.
Media Contact:
Officer Jorge Pino, (561) 723-1417