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Plant City joins in exotic pet amnesty effort

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 6, 2009

PLANT CITY - The city of Plant City will be working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Busch Gardens on a non-native/exotic pet amnesty day in the fall.

Details are still being worked out, but owners will be able to surrender any exotic pet, no questions asked on Nov. 7. The animals will be evaluated by a veterinarian, and then (if healthy) turned over to eligible adopters.

The city is taking part in the amnesty day to in an effort to help keep exotic animals from being turned loose, where they may displace other native species, city Environmental Education Coordinator Shawna Everidge said in an email.

The city is soliciting the donations of crates and cages that can safely hold unwanted animals that are turned in, Everidge said. Animals most likely to be surrendered include large lizards, salt water fish, medium to large birds, tortoises and monkeys, Everidge said.

Perhaps the most common exotic in the wild Plant City is the Cuban tree frog, which is sold in pet stores, she said. "It's a beautiful frog, which is almost unfortunate because it makes destroying them that more difficult. Also, our sewer system is full of them – they manage to exist both underground and above."
Everidge said she expects the collection site for exotics will be somewhere on Busch Gardens property, where a spokeswoman said the details weren't available.

The amnesty day was in the planning before a 2-year-old in Sumter County girl was killed July 1 by a python, Everidge said.

If you have a crate or cage that you would be willing to donate, call Everidge at (813) 757-9289, ext. 2249 or email her at severidge@plantcitygov.com.

To find out more about amnesty days, go to: http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Nonnative_Amnest...

If you are interested in becoming an adopter, go to http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Nonnative_Amnest...

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