SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The bad economy could be putting an unusual visitor into your backyard.
Many owners of exotic pets like iguanas, boa constrictors, and other creepy crawly critters simply can't afford to take care of them. Reptile Rescue owner James Dix says exotic pets are being abandoned at an alarming rate.
"Yes this year is," Dix says. "I mean we've had a lot of animal abuse and neglect cases coming in and it's still not over yet."
For over ten years, Dix has been working with animal control officers and others to help care for abused and neglected reptiles and amphibians.
He says the problem has tripled in size in the last year. It's also a public safety issue. He says a Taylorsville woman found an unwelcome snake in her home thanks to what Dix calls a careless neighbor.
Dix takes care of many of these neglected animals, but is running out of room in his home.
Dix wants people to know there are options for exotic pet owners who are struggling. "Don't turn it loose. We don't want it freezing to death. We don't want it starving if you can afford to feed it."
He says many people don't realize you can be prosecuted for letting your exotic pets go. If you have an exotic pet you can't take care of, instead of abandoning it Dix wants you to call Reptile Rescue at 801-860-2497.
