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Adoption & Rescue Centre
Every Reptile Deserves a Home for Life.
We find new homes for reptiles in our care, and we help owners keep the pets they already have. Choose where you'd like to start.
I Want to Adopt
Meet the animals looking for homes right now and learn how adoption works.
See available animalsI Can't Keep My Reptile
Many problems have a simple fix. If there isn't one, we'll walk you through rehoming.
Explore your optionsAvailable Now
Our adoptable reptiles come to us from many places, including surrendered personal pets, animal control and by-law services, Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) and other government agencies. Choose a location, then open a profile to learn more and request an adoption interview.
Please turn on JavaScript to see our adoptable reptiles.
New Animals Arrive Often
Don't see the right fit? New animals are added here as soon as they're ready for adoption, so check back often. Follow us on Instagram to see new arrivals.
Follow @reptiliazooHow Adoption Works
1
Find an Animal
Browse our available animals and read their adoption profiles. Then research the species thoroughly so you're confident you can meet its care needs.
2
Schedule an Interview
Request an in-person adoption interview from the animal's profile. We'll discuss your knowledge of the species and your plans for its long-term care. It isn't an introductory care lesson.
3
Prepare Your Enclosure
Have an appropriate enclosure and equipment ready. You'll email photos of your completed setup so our team can confirm it meets the species' needs.
4
Adoption Approval
Once your interview is done and your enclosure is verified, our team decides whether the adoption can proceed. If approved, you'll sign our Adoption Agreement and pay the fee. Approval isn't guaranteed.
5
Welcome Home
Once everything is complete, your new reptile can go home. Same-day adoption may be possible if you're approved at your interview and your enclosure is already set up.
Before You Adopt
Lifespan
Some reptiles live 20, 30 or even 50+ years. Can you care for yours through changes in your home, finances or circumstances?
Housing
Do you have the space, equipment and resources for the right enclosure, temperatures, humidity, lighting and enrichment?
Diet
Are you comfortable providing its diet consistently, whether that's insects, rodents or fresh produce?
Vet care
Have you found a veterinarian experienced with this species? Exotic vet care can be costly or hard to access.
Handling
Not every reptile enjoys being handled. Will you respect this animal's temperament and limits?
Research
Have you studied its natural history, husbandry needs and common health concerns?
Adoption Fee
Every animal
$80
One flat fee, whatever the species. Fees are non-refundable and are paid once your adoption is approved, before your new reptile goes home.
We don't profit from adoptions. Every dollar of the fee goes back into caring for our animals, helping cover medical testing, veterinary treatment, medication and the other costs of getting them healthy and ready for their new homes.
Adopters must be 18 or older, and the species must be allowed where you live under local laws, bylaws and housing rules.
The adoption interview
Come Prepared
All prospective adopters complete an in-person interview with a member of our animal care team. It's how we assess your understanding of the species, discuss your plans for its care and decide whether the animal is a good fit for your home.
Topics We May Cover
Housing & enclosure
Enclosure dimensions, substrate, furnishings, enrichment and overall habitat design.
Heating, lighting & humidity
Temperature gradients, heating equipment, UVB requirements, humidity levels and how you'll monitor conditions.
Diet & nutrition
Appropriate food items, feeding frequency, supplementation and access to fresh water.
Behaviour & natural history
Natural behaviours, temperament, activity patterns and appropriate handling.
Health & veterinary care
Common health concerns, signs of illness or stress, and access to veterinary care.
Long-term care
Expected lifespan, adult size, ongoing expenses and your ability to provide care throughout its life.
Depending on the animal, we may also discuss its individual history, behaviour, health or specialized care requirements.
How Should I Prepare?
Thoroughly research the species before your interview. Our team is happy to answer questions about an animal's individual needs, but the interview is not an introductory care lesson. It's how we evaluate your existing knowledge, discuss your proposed setup and decide whether you're ready.
Enclosure Photos
If your enclosure is already set up, bring photos to your interview. Everyone must also email photos of their completed enclosure for review before bringing an animal home, even if it was discussed at the interview. Show the whole enclosure, its furnishings, and heating and lighting equipment.
After the Interview
Our animal care team will decide whether the adoption can proceed. You may be asked to do more research, adjust your enclosure or send more information first. Approval is not guaranteed.
Requirements & policies
Please Review Before You Begin
Adoption Eligibility
Adopters must be at least 18 years old and ensure that ownership of the species is permitted under applicable laws, bylaws and housing restrictions. Reptilia reserves the right to decline any adoption if the placement is not considered suitable.
Adoption Fees
Adoption fees are non-refundable and must be paid before the animal can go home.
Health & Medical History
Reptilia will disclose any known health concerns or specialized care requirements. However, medical histories may be incomplete, and an animal's future health, behaviour or lifespan cannot be guaranteed.
Rehoming & Surrender
If you can no longer care for your adopted animal, Reptilia may be able to accept it back or assist with rehoming, but neither is guaranteed. Animals must never be released into the wild.
Breeding
Reptilia strongly discourages breeding animals obtained through our adoption program, as their genetic backgrounds, lineage and medical histories may be unknown or incomplete.
Adoption Agreement & Ownership
All approved adopters must sign Reptilia's Adoption Agreement. Once the adoption is finalized, full ownership and responsibility for the animal transfer to the adopter, including all future care and veterinary expenses.
A Few of the Reptiles in Our Care
Rehoming
Can't Keep Your Reptile? Let's See If There's a Fix First.
Where we can, we'd love to see pets stay with their owners. Many of the surrenders we hear about have a simple solution.
“My Reptile Seems Lonely”
Apart from a few species like Crocodilians and Monkey-Tailed Skinks, reptiles don't form social bonds. They're happiest alone with their own space, heat and hides.
“I Don’t Have Enough Time”
Reptiles don't get upset without regular attention the way mammals and birds can. A good setup does most of the work.
“I Travel a Lot”
Light timers and a mister can cover a long weekend. For longer trips, a trusted friend or a pet sitter with reptile experience can check in and handle feeding.
“My New Home Doesn’t Allow Pets”
Many landlords are fine with quiet reptiles kept in an enclosure. We'll happily write a letter about your pet's safety.
“Someone at Home Is Scared of It”
That's common. We're happy to talk with them, answer their questions and address their concerns.
“We’re Having a Baby”
Reptiles can carry Salmonella, so young children need extra care around them. Call us to talk through the real risks before you decide.
Surrender Your Reptile
We can't take every animal. Our first responsibility is to the reptiles already in our care, and space for long-lived species like turtles is rare. Our collection manager reviews each request for space, habitat and fit.
Please Note
Once your animal is surrendered, we don't arrange visits, send updates or have any further communication about it. Please make sure you're comfortable with this before you reach out.
Species We Can't Accept Right Now
Unfortunately, we're not able to take in Red-Eared Sliders or Yellow-Bellied Sliders at this time. If you're surrendering a Boa, please note that we'll ask you to complete specific health testing before we can accept it.
If We Can't Take Your Animal
Charge a small rehoming fee to discourage resellers
Ask adopters about their experience, enclosure and vet
If you can, send the enclosure and care notes with the animal
Never Release a Pet Reptile
Released pets often don't survive, and those that do, like Red-Eared Sliders, can harm Ontario's native turtles. If you can't keep your reptile, reach out to us or another reptile rescue instead.
Read our Red-Eared Slider flyer (PDF)Surrender Request Form
We aim to reply within 2 weeks. We only use the information you share to review your surrender request.
Questions? Talk to a Keeper.
Vaughan · Whitby · London