J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is reporting a sharp increase in large-scale exotic pet surrenders during the first part of 2026, creating an urgent need to find new homes for dozens of animals.
So far this year, the rescue has taken in:
Many of these animals were surrendered in large groups from breeders and collectors who were no longer able to continue caring for their animals.
“This year we are seeing more large collections being surrendered than ever before,” said John Moyles, Founder of J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue. “A lot of people get into reptiles after watching YouTubers who keep snakes in plastic bins stacked on racks. It makes it look easy to keep dozens of animals in a small space. But those setups are often meant for large-scale breeding operations, not for hobbyists who want pets.”
Moyles explained that the situation often spirals quickly.
“People see how many incredible colors and patterns these animals come in and suddenly they want to collect them all. Before long, they have 10, 20, or even 50 animals. When life changes — a move, a job change, or financial stress — those collections can become overwhelming. In many cases it starts to look a lot like a puppy mill for snakes.”
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, widely recognized as Wisconsin’s #1 exotic pet rescue, works to provide safe housing, veterinary care, and responsible rehoming for surrendered animals. Since launching in 2020, the organization has helped thousands of exotic pets find new homes.
However, the volume of animals arriving this year has placed additional strain on the rescue’s resources.
To help these animals find homes faster, J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is currently reaching out to:
• Animal rescues and shelters willing to take transfers
• Zoos, educators, and libraries that may use animals in educational programs
• Pet stores and reptile expos interested in hosting adoption events
• Members of the public interested in responsible exotic pet adoption
“Every one of these animals deserves a safe and stable home,” said Moyles. “We are asking our community and the wider animal care community to help us find placements so these animals can thrive.”
Organizations interested in partnering with J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue or hosting adoption events are encouraged to contact the rescue directly.
More information about adoptable animals and upcoming events can be found at www.jraar.org.
About J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming exotic pets including reptiles, birds, fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Since its founding in 2020, the organization has helped thousands of animals find new homes while educating the public about responsible exotic pet ownership.