Exotic Pet Amnesty Day Is July 13

 Before you liberate that pet snake or other exotic, unwanted pet, think about bringing along the creature and attending Exotic Pet Amnesty Day on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will be at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve to accept exotic or illegal pets without penalty and at no cost.

The commission is encouraging people to turn over their pets, so they are not released into the wild, where they may pose a threat to native wildlife. (See Giant Python on the Loose Near Snell Isle.)

Florida has many examples of this. Close to home, a Burmese Python recently was observed swimming in Coffee Pot Bayou near Snell Isle. The 13-foot snake probably was an exotic pet that a local family no longer wanted and so released into the mangroves next to the Vinoy Golf Course. Too bad they did not wait and attend Exotic Pet Amnesty Day.

For more information on the event or adoption visit MyFWC.com/NonNatives or call Boyd Hill Nature Preserve at 727-893-7326.