News Release

FWC and Miami MetroZoo hold Pet Amnesty Day

February 20, 2008
Contact: Jenny Tinnell, 850-926-0128; (for Spanish) Officer Jorge Pino, 561-723-1417

During Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day at Miami MetroZoo on Saturday, people who own animals not native to Florida have a chance to let the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) take custody of their pets.

"Our main purpose is to give pet owners an alternative to releasing nonnative animals into the wild," said the FWC's Scott Hardin.

Experts will be on hand from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Miami MetroZoo, 12400 SW 152nd St., to accept surrendered pets and to ensure the animals receive proper care during the event sponsored by the FWC and Miami MetroZoo.

Hardin said some owners of nonnative pets may be unaware it is illegal to release these animals into the wild. They also may be unaware of recent changes in the law, which require a permit and microchip for some classes of animals. Owners of other nonnative species may not transfer ownership of certain species, according to recent law changes.

Hardin said owners of nonnative species who turn them over to the FWC will not be subject to legal penalties and will not be subject to any charges for animals placed in the care of the FWC.
"We will not be penalizing any pet owners who choose the option of not releasing their animals into the wild," Hardin said. "We're doing this to keep nonnative species from being released and creating an adverse effect on Florida native wildlife."

For more information about the event and the effect of nonnative species on Florida wildlife, please visit MyFWC.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Nonative_index.htm.