These rescues are legitimate reptile rescues doing good work in your community, not hoarders. Even if you aren’t looking to adopt right now, donations are always appreciated (and a great way to help make a difference in the reptile hobby)!
Arizona
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary — Based in Scottsdale. Volunteers accepted. Accepts surrenders.
Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education — Based in Tucson. Accepts surrenders. Unable to take aquatic turtles or desert tortoises.
The Haus of Voodoo — Based in Payson.
California
American Tortoise Rescue — Based in Malibu. Specializes in turtles and tortoises.
California Turtle & Tortoise Club — Based in Van Nuys. Specializes in turtles and tortoises.
JnW Reptile Rescue — Accepts surrenders. Snake relocation services available.
Mutt Hut Rescue — Foster program available.
Georgia
Georgia Reptile Society — Foster program available. Accepts surrenders.
Idaho
Southern Idaho Reptile Rescue — Based in Buhl. Offers rehabilitation and rehoming services for reptiles. Accepts surrenders.
Illinois
Copper’s Friends Bearded Dragon Rescue — Based in Decatur.
Iowa
The Lizard Lighthouse — Foster locations in Nebraska and Iowa. Surrenders accepted. Fostering opportunities available. Unable to take wild reptiles or aquatic turtles. Shipping available for a fee.
Kansas
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
Maine
Herp Haven Reptile Rescue & Sanctuary — Based in Brunswick. Accepts volunteers and surrenders. Foster program available. Does not ship.
Mr. Drew and His Animals Too — Based in Lewiston. Feeder insects available for sale at physical storefront.
Maryland
Medusa’s Misfit Rescue — Based in Westminster. Specializes in reptiles who need medical attention. Does not ship.
Massachusetts
Redfoot Reptile Rescue Programs — Based in Whitman. Works with both reptiles and amphibians in need of a new home, medical attention, or husbandry correction. Accepts surrenders, although a fee may be charged.
Michigan
Wild Whiskers — Based in Kalamazoo. Accepts surrenders.
Minnesota
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
Resource for Iguana Care and Adoption — Based in St. Paul. Green iguanas only. Volunteers welcome. Does not ship, but is willing to transport to surrounding states for the right adopter.
Snake Discovery’s Adoption Island — Based in Maplewood. Accepts surrenders, with the exception of aquatic turtles. Does not ship.
Mississippi
Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue — Based in Florence. Specializes in turtles and tortoises, releasing native species back into the wild and rehoming the others. Sponsorship and foster programs available.
Missouri
The Three Sisters Exotic Rescue & Sanctuary — Based in St. Louis.
Nebraska
The Lizard Lighthouse — Foster locations in Nebraska and Iowa. Surrenders accepted. Fostering opportunities available. Unable to take wild reptiles or aquatic turtles. Shipping available for a fee.
New Jersey
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
New York
Hudson Valley Reptile and Rescue — Offers educational presentations as well as an adoption program. Accepts surrenders.
Rhonda’s Reptiles — Based in New Lebanon.
Second Chance Bird & Reptile Rescue — Foster-based rescue organization. Accepts surrenders.
North Carolina
Be Wild Reptile Rescue — Based in Durham. Unable to take in yellow-bellied sliders, red-eared sliders, or iguanas. Sponsorships available. Volunteers accepted.
Fresh Start Rescue — Does not accept aquatic turtles. Sponsorships available. Internships available, volunteers welcome. Accepts surrenders. Offers reptile boarding.
North Dakota
Kritter Krazy Reptile and Exotic Rescue — Based in Bottineau. Accepts surrenders. Appointments only.
Ohio
Arrowhead Reptile Rescue — Does not ship.
Herps Alive Foundation — Based in South Euclid. Volunteers welcome.
Oregon
Beautiful Dragons Reptile Rescue — Based in Albany.
Pennsylvania
Christina’s Reptile and Animal Sanctuary — Based in Palmerton. Accepts surrenders.
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary — Based in Elm. Accepts surrenders.
Heart Reptile Rescue and Sanctuary — Accepts surrenders, but does not take aquatic turtles or iguanas.
Marie Exotics Reptile Rescue — Based in Washington. Accepts surrenders, but does not take aquatics.
Moonlit Jungle Rescue — Based in Lilitz. Accepts surrenders. Volunteers welcome. Offers zero-cost education programs to education groups.
Texas
Eden Animal Sanctuary — Based in Spring Branch. Specializes in turtles and tortoises. Does not ship.
Lumpy Lizard Reptile, Poultry, and Exotics Rescue — Based in Edna.
Utah
Wasatch Exotics Rescue — Based in Sandy. Shipping is available to the lower 48 states.
Vermont
Safe Haven Critter Rescue — Based in Burlington. Foster-to-adopt available. Surrenders accepted.
Virginia
Blue Ridge Reptile Rescue — Based in Fairfield. Accepts surrenders, may ship. Also sells used reptile equipment.
Central Virginia Reptile Rescue — Based in the Richmond area. Accepts surrenders, does not ship.
Washington
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
Wisconsin
Badgerland Reptile Rescue — Based in Kenosha. Accepts surrenders. Foster program available.
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue — Based in Menasha. Accepts surrenders. Sponsors welcome.
Don’t see your rescue on this list? Please apply to join ReptiFiles’ list of approved reptile rescues by contacting me at mariah@reptifiles.com.
