Pet owners looking for a safe, responsible way to rehome their exotic pets will have an opportunity this month to do just that. J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR), in partnership with Ledgeview Nature Center, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, and the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes, will host an Exotic Pet Surrender Event on Saturday, June 28th, from 12 PM to 3 PM at the Calumet County Park Shelter (N6150 County EE, Hilbert, WI 54129).
Sponsored by Petco Love and Festival Foods, this event is part of Wisconsin’s broader efforts during Invasive Species Action Month to encourage responsible pet ownership and protect native ecosystems.
At the event, owners can surrender fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, invertebrates, and plants — no questions asked. However, domestic pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) and native wild animals cannot be accepted. Additionally, any birds, reptiles, or mammals originating from outside Wisconsin must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
"Releasing exotic pets into the wild can have devastating consequences for Wisconsin’s environment," said Macy Yohr, JRAAR’s Invasive Species Specialist. "Events like these give pet owners a compassionate alternative to releasing animals, which often suffer or become invasive threats. We want to make doing the right thing as easy as possible."
All surrendered animals must arrive in secure containers to ensure the safety of both pets and volunteers.
The event is free and open to the public. By offering a no-judgment, safe option for surrender, organizers hope to prevent abandoned pets from becoming environmental hazards — a growing concern as invasive species increasingly impact local habitats.
For more information, visit the J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue Facebook page and the event listing here: Exotic Pet Surrender Event – Calumet County.
