Our Adoption Process
Please read the full page if you are considering adopting from us
- thank you!
First Steps: Enquiry and Adoption Appointment
To adopt or to explore the idea of adopting an animal from us, we encourage people to come and meet the animals (and us) via an appointment. This way we can discuss the different options available and help you make a choice which is right for you and right for the animal.
Please note: If you live quite a distance away and are interested in adoption, we can discuss potential alternatives before you make your trip to us.
If you decide that reptiles aren’t for you, we are happy that you have been able to explore the idea without feeling pressured and making ultimately the wrong decision.
Key Considerations:
If you are not the homeowner, do you have permission of the homeowner or landlord to keep a reptile at the premises?
Are you 18 years old or above? Our minimum age of adoption is 18 years old.
Lifespan: please note we are looking for permanent homes, and so please don’t be offended when asked about your future plans. Many reptiles can live in excess of 15 years in captivity!
Cost: can you afford veterinary treatment should the need arise? These are specialist animals, and it can be more costly to attain veterinary treatment.
Rehoming Fees
Unlike pet shops, we do not put a value on the animal itself based on traits such as colour and gender.
We do, however, ask for donations set as levels based on the species.
Please remember that by adopting from us, the donation given is helping us house other rescues and continue to care for and feed the animals. Our donation levels are set out here:
*Please note that these are the suggested minimum amounts for adoption, if you are able to offer more it is always greatly appreciated.
Level 1
Leopard geckos
crested geckos
gargoyle geckos
tokay geckos
star agamas
corn snakes
rat snakes
milksnakes
Minimum
donation
£35
Level 2
Chinese water dragons
bearded dragons
plumed basilisks
blue tongue skinks
royal pythons
rainbow boas
chuckwallas
children's pythons
Minimum
donation
£50
Level 3
Savannah monitors
common boas
tegus
carpet pythons
ackie monitors
Turtles and Tortoises - species such as Horsefield tortoises
Minimum
donation
£80
Level 4
African rock pythons
Burmese pythons
Reticulated pythons
Green iguanas
Nile monitors
Minimum
donation
£100
Adoption Application Form
***We ask everyone who wishes to proceed with adoption to complete our application form. This can be completed when you visit us or it can be sent via email.***
Once we have reviewed the application, we can then advise you of any concerns we may have and discuss any changes that either need to be changed or recommended to be altered. For example, we may ask you to change the wattage of your heat source if you are struggling to attain the right temperatures.
We appreciate there are many ways to create a habitat for reptiles and other exotics, as such; there are many opinions on how to do this.
In general, all snakes and lizards should go into a wooden (or solid material) vivarium with an overhead heat source which is connected to a thermostat. In the case of snakes, all heat sources MUST be appropriately guarded.
In relation to tortoises there are several options available dependent on species such as vivarium, tortoise table etc. We accept glass tanks in the case of certain Gecko species, all aquatic turtles, amphibians and tarantulas
We DO NOT re-home to tub racking systems.
After Adoption Application Form Has Been Reviewed
There are two different routes that we take after an application form has been accepted. Dependent on species/animal sought and level of experience we will either ask for photographic evidence of the setup OR arrange at your convenience an informal home visit. Please see the two different routes.
1a. Home Visit (local) / video visit
For certain species of animals or in the case of animals with long term conditions we prefer to do an informal home visit to check the enclosure over. We try and do this as informal as possible, and it is conducted at both yours and our convenience.
1b. Photographic Evidence
For most cases, we ask for photographic evidence of the enclosure before proceeding with an application.
We generally ask for CLEAR photographs of the following:
Thermostat/s used for each heating device.
Probe positions for each thermostat.
Sources of UV lighting if applicable which show the UVB percentage.
Ventilation points.
Heat guard/s.
A tape measure or something similar to show the size of the length, width and depth of the enclosure.
A Thermometer showing temperatures in the hot and cool areas and the absolute maximum in the basking zone.
If you are applying for your first reptile and/or are having difficulty we are still happy to conduct an informal home visit (travel distance permitting) should you want us to.
2. Application Accepted or Advice Given
Once methods 1 (home visit) or 2 (photographic evidence) have been carried out and the application has been approved, you will then be able to arrange a suitable date and time to collect your new animal so long as the animal is still deemed fit for re-homing.
On occasion, we may require some things to be tweaked/added before we can approve an application. Updated pictures will be needed following these changes. Once they have been completed and we are happy with the enclosure, the application is approved!
When collecting your new companion we ask for the following before releasing the animal into your care:
A form of photographic ID such as a Driving Licence or Passport (If you don’t have one, two forms of another ID such as a Utility bill will be accepted).
Suitable transportation for the animal. We recommend for snakes and lizards a pillowcase cover and a secure container with gentle heating provided by a hot water bottle. Please ask us if you are unsure.
The minimum donation fee; like all rescue centres we suggest a minimum donation [see above]
3. Aftercare
After you have adopted an animal from us, feel free to update us on his/her progress. We are always excited to learn how they have settled into their new homes!
Although the animal is now in your care and any associated costs are now funded by yourself, we are still here to help with any questions you may have.
