Pet Amnesty Day at Busch Gardens

From TBEP listserv:

Exotic Pet Amnesty Day at Busch Gardens
This Saturday, Nov. 7

Get your non-native pet micro-chipped or turn in an exotic pet you can no longer care for at a special Amnesty Day this Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Busch Gardens.

At this one-day only event, owners of exotic pets such as snakes, lizards, turtles, fish, big cats, monkeys or parrots can donate them free of charge, with no questions asked and with no penalties for unlicensed animals. State wildlife officials will place healthy pets with experienced and registered adopters that will provide lifelong care for the animals.

Owners who wish to keep their exotic pets may have the animals micro-chipped (required to keep certain non-native "reptiles of concern" in Florida) for $20 each during the event by Companion Animal Hospital of Thonotosassa. In addition, the first 15 exotic pets will be micro-chipped for free (one per person) courtesy of a fundraiser held by the City of Plant City's Water Resource Management Division. This offer applies to exotics only -- no cats, dogs or ferrets, please!

The event will also feature exhibits from organizations dedicated to providing care for and education about exotic animals and responsible pet ownership.

This Non-Native Pet Amnesty Day is sponsored by Busch Gardens, the City of Plant City and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

For more information about the event and the impacts of non-native animals on Florida's environment, visit the FWC website.