57 reptiles and exotic animals seized by P.E.I. animal protection officers | CBC News
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Animal protection officers with the P.E.I. Humane Society have seized another large number of animals, this time involving 57 reptiles and exotic species.
The shelter posted on social media Thursday that the Feb. 18 seizure was made under the provincial Animal Welfare Act. The society said it is caring for the animals along with its foster network while an investigation takes place.
Ashley Travis, development and communications co-ordinator for the P.E.I. Humane Society, would not comment on the specific species or breeds or where they were seized from.
She said the reptiles require need specialized enclosures or tanks with heat lamps, and they have very specific nutritional needs.
She said the shelter is providing equipment to some of the foster homes that need it, and is covering the cost of needs like food and bedding.
“There’s quite an expense with stuff like this, but it is part of the work we do to help protect these animals,” Travis said.
She said it’s too early to know if the animals will be put up for adoption.
“Like with a lot of investigations, this is a process and there is … rules and regulations and legislation in place to help protect the rights of the owner of these animals as much as the rights of us as animal protection and as an animal shelter,” Travis said.
“We have to go through that process and that will take a while. If the animals do go up for adoption, they will do so through our agency, though.”
Exotic animals tend to stay at the shelter longer than more traditional pets because they require specialized housing, she said.
“They require somebody who has knowledgeable care and they require access to a veterinarian who has training in exotics,” she said. “It is a little bit more challenging to place those animals in homes more so than it would be a cat or a dog.”
This is the second large seizure of animals this month. A seizure on Feb. 5 resulted in 43 dogs coming under the care of the society in another ongoing case.
“I won’t lie to you and say that it’s all sunshine, roses and smiles at the shelter right now. It’s a lot of work,” Travis said.
“We have had some very, very, very long days at the humane society over the last month. So I have appreciated anyone who’s shown up with a coffee for our team or some folks have shown up with donuts.”