CBC (Halifax, Nova Scotia) 27 December 06 Unwanted snakes get safe haven in N.S.

Nova Scotians worried about their scaly pets will have access to an information, rescue and adoption service, starting in the new year.

The provincewide Ssafe Haven Society for Reptiles and Amphibians (http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NS17.html) is an official version of a service Denise McKay has been running in the Halifax region for the past three years.

"I think we're gonna be probably more popular than what we'd like to be," McKay said with a laugh.

McKay's interest in reptiles and amphibians grew after she got her first pet — an iguana. Over the years, she found herself fielding calls from people who didn't know how to care for their pets.

So she started a rescue and adoption service in the Halifax region. In the past two years alone, McKay has done more than 200 adoptions for snakes and other animals.

As more calls came in, McKay decided a more formal service was needed across Nova Scotia.

"It kind of happened by accident," she said. "The phone calls just led to us starting something officially."

McKay is now a co-ordinator for the not-for-profit Ssafe Haven society, along with Lisa Balcom.

Whether it's a snake, iguana, turtle or gecko, McKay and Balcom offer advice to pet owners over the phone or through e-mail and make house calls if the animal is ill.

People are often unaware of the special conditions their pets require, MacKay said.

"A lot of people get these and have no idea how to take care of them or what kind of special things that they're going to need in order to thrive in captivity," she said.

McKay may take an animal into her home temporarily if it needs extra care.

A pet owner who can no longer care for their reptile or amphibian can contact McKay, who will help find it a new home.

McKay said the society doesn't charge adoption fees. The only stipulation is that the animal's enclosure and all the supplies must be passed on to the pet's new owner.
Unwanted snakes get safe haven in N.S.

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