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)!
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.
American Tortoise Rescue — Based in Malibu. Specializes in turtles and tortoises.
Aunt Anna’s Reptile Rescue — Based in Contra Costa county. Accepts surrenders for all reptile species except aquatic turtles. Donations welcome!
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.
Reptile Savior — Based in Orange County. Specializes in both reptiles and amphibians. Enclosure must be fully set up before adoption. Shipping available. Amazon wishlist donations welcome!
Georgia Reptile Society — Foster program available. Accepts surrenders.
Southern Idaho Reptile Rescue — Based in Buhl. Offers rehabilitation and rehoming services for reptiles. Accepts surrenders.
Copper’s Friends Bearded Dragon Rescue — Based in Decatur.
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.
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
Loving Leos Reptile Rescue — Based in Franklin. Surrenders closed at this time.
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.
Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society — Based in Highland. Specializes exclusively in turtles and tortoises. Accepts surrenders and item donations. Support this rescue with an annual membership!
Second-Hand Serpents Reptile Rescue — Based in Elkton. Accepts surrenders for all reptiles except aquatic turtles. Also runs a physical storefront for reptile supplies and feeders.
Jenn’s Uncommon Critters — Based in Frederick. Rescue and interactive animal education program focusing on reptiles, invertebrates, and small mammals. Accepts volunteers and surrenders.
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.
Genesis Reptile Rescue — Based in Elmira.
Wild Whiskers — Based in Kalamazoo. Accepts surrenders.
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue — Based in Wisconsin but does surrender events in MN.
Minnesota Herpetological Society — Must be a member in good standing of the MHS to adopt or foster an animal. Accepts limited animals for surrender. Aquatic turtles only accepted at intake events a couple of times per year.
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 aquatics. Shipping available, but not during winter due to weather.
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.
The Three Sisters Exotic Rescue & Sanctuary — Based in St. Louis.
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.
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
Hudson Valley Reptile and Rescue — Offers educational presentations as well as an adoption program. Accepts surrenders.
Second Chance Bird & Reptile Rescue — Foster-based rescue organization. Accepts surrenders.
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.
Kritter Krazy Reptile and Exotic Rescue — Based in Bottineau. Accepts surrenders. Appointments only.
Arrowhead Reptile Rescue — Does not ship.
Herps Alive Foundation — Based in South Euclid. Volunteers welcome.
Beautiful Dragons Reptile Rescue — Based in Albany.
Jungle Things Oregon — Based in Sutherlin. Volunteers welcome, accepts surrenders. In addition to rescuing reptiles, they offer boarding, fostering, enclosure setup assistance, and health care assistance. Appointments only.
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.
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.
Wasatch Exotics Rescue — Based in Sandy. Shipping is available to the lower 48 states.
Safe Haven Critter Rescue — Based in Burlington. Foster-to-adopt available. Surrenders accepted.
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.
Crimson Exotics — Foster locations in Kansas, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington. Surrenders accepted. Shipping available.
Pacific Northwest Aquatics and Exotics Rescue — Based in Tacoma, WA. Offers education and outreach, reptile boarding, medical foster, long term foster, etc. Accepts surrenders. Sponsors and volunteers welcome.
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 [email protected].