Rescue Reptiles

Do you have an unwanted reptile?

Did that cute little python get to be just a bit too large?
Mom put her foot down and forced you to give up the dragon?

CONTACT US

THERE IS A LONG WAIT TO PLACE IGUANAS

Please be aware that as a rule we do not have time to reply to all the requests to take in iguanas.

We get bombarded with requests to take in these reptiles, and we are simply unable to keep up with the demand. We urge you to continue pursuing alternative means of placement for pet iguanas as we cannot take them. There are simply too many of them out there. We appreciate your understanding and we regret that we do not have the resources for thousands of unwanted pets.

You have to bring your reptile to us at a location in Greater Cincinnati. If you are located outside of Ohio or Kentucky and you wish to donate a reptile, please try to find a rescue organization closer to you before contacting us. You can find a reptile rescue by going to anapsid.org. Be advised there may be some state and federal restrictions to transporting certain species across state lines.

Arrowhead will always take nuisance, orphaned or
injured wild reptiles that you find.

We are licensed and approved by the Ohio Division of Wildlife for reptile and amphibian rehabilitation. Wild reptiles are released whenever possible, and are never adopted out as pets.

There is no fee for us to take an injured native
wild reptile. Donations are accepted and appreciated.

We are permitted by the US Fish and Widlife Service for federally restricted species. However, if you are located outside Ohio it is against the law to transport your pet to us across state lines.

Alligators, crocodiles, caiman, venomous snakes and giant pythons are banned and/or restricted in Ohio.

ARR accepts restricted snakes and dwarf caiman. Contact us to see if we have room for your Ohio restricted snake.

WE NO LONGER ACCEPT POND SLIDER TURTLES

The Ohio Division of Wildlife enacted new rules in 2014 for wildlife rehabilitators prohibiting them from dealing with both injured native wildlife and native pet reptiles as well. This includes pond sliders, some map and painted turtles, and most species that are native to the state of Ohio. Due to these Ohio Division of Wildlife regulations and policies, we are no longer accepting pond slider turtles. Unfortunately we were forced to choose between helping injured wildlife for rehabilitation back to the wild, or rescuing native pet reptiles for adoption to new homes. Since most injured wild reptiles that come to us are hurt by human beings and their vehicles, construction, habitat destruction, and other man-made factors, we chose to continue helping those reptiles. We regret that state laws and rules impede on our ability to help reptiles in need.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s 2014 Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation In Ohio states:
“Persons conducting wildlife rehabilitation shall not barter, sell, or trade native wildlife species.
Wildlife that are being rehabilitated for release back in to the wild shall not be housed at the same location where a licensed commercial propagator is operating.”

Feel free to call the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE to lodge a complaint about ODNR rules and regulations that restrict our ability to help animals.

WE NO LONGER ACCEPT ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES

In 2014 new Ohio laws took effect that prohibit the sale, possession, transport, and ownership of alligators and crocodiles in the state of Ohio. ARR is an exempt institution along with zoos, sanctuaries, and other organizations that the Ohio legislature exempted from these regulations so we could continue to operate and help animals. However, after 20 years of successfully rescuing alligators and transporting them to wildlife sanctuaries in Florida, the Ohio Department of Agriculture decided that ARR is no longer considered exempt to the new law. Due to the interpretations of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, we are no longer accepting alligators and crocodiles. We regret that erroneous decisions by state agencies which ignore state laws impede on our ability to help relocate alligators and crocodiles to appropriate facilities.

Be advised it is equally illegal in Ohio to move or transfer ownership of your pet alligator, so you are breaking Ohio law just by getting rid of your crocodilian or moving it out of Ohio. What a brilliant law.

Please feel free to call the Ohio Department of Agriculture Office of Dangerous Wild Animals at 1-855-DWA-OHIO to lodge a complaint regarding erroneous decisions that restrict our ability to help reptiles in need.

Wild animals will be rehabilitated and then released into the wild if possible and appropriate. Captive reptiles are adopted to new homes whenever possible. We scan all new reptiles for existing microchips or tags. Lost reptile pets will be returned to their owners. All reptiles, captive or wild, are given expert veterinary care if necessary. Our vet, Dr R.D. Dahlhausen, specializes in reptiles and exotics, and we have in-house veterinary technicians on our staff. We provide on-site intensive care, including IV's and tube-feeding. We have a firm no-kill policy... we only euthanize due to an untreatable medical condition.

If you are bringing your pet from out of state, be aware there may be federal regulations and state import/export requirements that must be met.

We WILL NOT provide professional veterinary or medical care for your personal pet. Please contact your nearest veterinarian specializing in reptiles if your pet needs medical attention.

ANIMAL SHELTERS, HUMANE SOCIETIES, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PLEASE NOTE:
We will accept emergency intakes resulting from neglect or cruelty cases, confiscations, abandonment situations, etc, and we will waive any fees in these cases. However, we prefer not to take unwanted pet surrenders through shelters and humane societies. If you have someone who has a pet reptile they no longer want, please refer them to Arrowhead directly.

Who else besides pet owners have
trusted their reptiles to Arrowhead?
Some of our many clients:

OH Dept of Agriculture
Capitol Area Humane Society
Lexington Humane Society
SPCA of Cincinnati
Boone County Animal Shelter
Kenton County District Court
US Fish and Wildlife Service
OH Dept of Natural Resources
Second Chance Wildlife
Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati Nature Center
Hamilton County Park District
Ourreach for Animals
West Chester PD
Sharonville PD
Liberty Township PD