Potential adopters must register in advance of the Nov. 5 event, and applications must be received by the FWC by Thursday, November 3, 2011.
SeaWorld Orlando receives dozens of calls a year from exotic pet owners hoping to donate their animal to the park. However, SeaWorld can rarely accept these donations. SeaWorld supports Exotic Pet Amnesty Day as a responsible way for exotic pet owners who are no longer able to care for their animals to find qualified homes for their pets. Many of the 133 species of non-native fish and wildlife established in the wild in Florida resulted from releases by pet owners. If released into the wild, many exotic pets can have detrimental effects on native habitats. For example, some improperly discarded exotics can thrive in the Florida ecosystem and outcompete native species for food and habitat. Exotics can hybridize with native species, causing long-term problems.
Anyone interested in adopting non-native pets can download the proper adoption application at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives. Adopters must have knowledge of natural history and caging requirements and have proper facilities for the animals they are interested in adopting.
