Exotic Animal/Alternative Pet
Shelter, Rescue and/or Adoption

Rescue Groups/Shelters/Sanctuaries
(Listed by Location)

While this service is free, donations or purchases from our exotic pet links are appreciated to help defray operating costs and effort of maintaining this whole site.

People have asked, if exotics are so cool, then WHY do they need rescue groups? The answer is the same as domestic animals. In the breeding of any animal there are often ones born who just don't fit in. Animals who lack good temperament, are not raised properly or there are some who are good pets, but forced to find new homes because of changes in the owners lifestyle, legislation banning their ownership or other factors. Some of these animals may be wildlife that is unreleasable or exotics who were zoo exhibits or educational animals who are in need of a quieter home to live out their old age. Not everyone wants to get a full grown exotic of unknown origins, as most want to start out with babies. This leaves a surplus in need of homes and there are people or groups who try to give these animals a second chance. The rescue groups do provide a place for budding exotic owners to go to find out more about these animals before getting one or to give a home to an older animal who may be otherwise overlooked by people who wish to start out with babies. Rescue groups also tend to learn a lot about health issues on various species, since they often end up with the ones that were unwanted due to medical problems. This is a great way of gaining knowledge about a species that might prove of great use to wild populations if illness strikes and conservationists need to know how to treat them in rehab programs.
Many of the rescue groups and shelters listed here also handle native wildlife and attempt to rehab such animals back into the wild when it is possible. However, not all orphaned or injured wild animals can be returned to the wild, thus sometimes they need a place to live out their lives. There are many cases of wildlife rehabbers who still euthanize such animals rather then allow them to remain in captivity, so this site is offering an alternative.

Notice on breeding: Exotic rescue is not a matter of overbreeding, as there are a LOT of people who want them. This however doesn't mean one should breed them indiscriminately. Remember that a breeder is judged by the quality of their animals and people who breed poor quality animals don't last long in a business where pet owners often will let each other know where they got a 'bad animal'.

Careful consideration should be taken before breeding exotics, such as:
temperament of the parents (The path to domesticating animals is through very careful selection of breeding animals for the qualities needed as pets or livestock.)
health (Breeding sickly animals is a total waste of time and effort and only produces more sickly, weak animals.)
market status (Is the species one that there is a great demand for?)
time (Do you have enough time to handle and work with the new babies to insure they will be good pets or educational animals and help guide new owners in their proper care, if needed?)

There are a lot of other reasons that any animal might need a new home. NAPA's goal however is to not judge any one area of exotic animals in captivity, but to help educate people on their proper care and provide information on all areas exotic animals.

Note: Updates/additions may take up to 6 weeks to be added due to the webmaster's work load.

Shelter, Rescue and/or Adoption
Rodent Breeder List
about Exotic Pets