Rescue & Rehoming · Greater Toronto Area
Reptile Rescue in Toronto & the GTA
Rehoming a reptile you can no longer keep, or looking to take one in? Here is how rescue and rehoming actually works in this region — including who we are, and who else can help.
People searching for a “reptile rescue” in the GTA are usually in one of two situations: they have an animal they can no longer care for, or they would like to give one a home. Both are welcome here. Surrendering to us is always free, and we answer every message — usually within 24 hours.
Where would you like to start?
Rehoming
I need to rehome a reptile
Tell us the species, rough age and size, health and temperament, and your timeline. No judgment, and never a fee to surrender.
Adoption
I would like to adopt
Meet the animals currently looking for homes, each with honest notes on temperament and the experience level they need.
What we are, and what we are not
The difference matters when you are deciding where to send an animal, so we would rather be precise than flattering.
What we are
A small Toronto household that takes in surrendered reptiles and exotic invertebrates, gets them healthy and settled, and rehomes them to vetted adopters. Two experienced keepers, a spare room, and a lot of enclosures.
What we are not
Not a pet store. Not a registered rescue. Not a registered charity. We do not accept donations and we cannot issue tax receipts. If you need a registered charity, we have listed several below.
We describe the work as rescue and rehoming because that is what it is — intake, care, and placement. But we hold no official status, and we will never imply otherwise. Surrendering is always free. Adopters pay a rehoming fee of roughly $50–$100, which recovers what that animal cost us in food, substrate, enclosures and veterinary care. It is cost recovery, not a donation.
If you need to rehome a reptile
Reptiles get surrendered for ordinary reasons: a move, a new baby, an allergy, a change in finances, or a species that grew larger or lived longer than anyone expected. Ball pythons routinely pass 25 years. Bearded dragons commonly reach 10. Some tortoises will outlive their owner. Recognising that you can no longer provide what an animal needs is responsible, not shameful — and we treat it that way.
Start with the surrender form. We do not take walk-in surrenders, so please reach out first and we will be ready for you.
One requirement worth knowing
For lizards, tortoises and turtles, and exotic invertebrates, the enclosure needs to come with the animal. These species need specific setups — correct footprint, heating, lighting and humidity — and we cannot take them on without one. Snakes are more flexible: equipment is welcome but not required. If that is a problem, say so in your message and we will talk it through rather than turn you away.
Other reptile rescues in Ontario
We are a small household and our capacity is genuinely limited. When we cannot help, these organisations may be able to — and if you need a registered charity, this is where to look.
Ontario Reptile Rescue
A registered Canadian charity (charity number 796274140RR0001), founded in 2020 and entirely volunteer-run. They take surrenders, run adoptions, and can issue tax receipts. Visit their site →
Little RES Q
A 1,200 sq ft sanctuary in Pefferlaw, about 90 minutes north of Toronto, open by appointment. Best known for turtles — they house over 300 — and taking most legal reptiles as space allows. They also board. Visit their site →
Toronto Wildlife Centre
For native Ontario wildlife only. If you have found an injured wild turtle or snake outdoors, that is them, not us. Native species are not pets and should never enter the pet trade.
If nobody can take your reptile right now
Rescues across Ontario are full more often than not. If everyone says no, here is what actually helps:
- Never release a reptile outdoors. It is illegal to release non-native animals in Ontario, and it is a death sentence — no tropical species survives a Canadian winter. Released animals that do survive can spread disease to native wildlife.
- Be careful with classified ads. Plenty of reptiles find good homes through Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace, but “free to a good home” listings attract people looking for cheap feeders for larger animals. Ask questions, ask about the setup, and be willing to say no.
- Ask a reptile-experienced vet. Exotics vets often know local keepers and networks that are not publicly listed anywhere.
- Keep them stable in the meantime. Correct heat and fresh water matter more than perfect husbandry over a short period. If an animal is genuinely suffering and no option exists, an exotics vet is the humane conversation to have — not release.
What we take
Snakes — ball pythons, boas, corn snakes, hognose and other colubrids. Lizards — bearded dragons, leopard and crested geckos, blue-tongue skinks. Tortoises and turtles. Some exotic invertebrates including tarantulas, on a case-by-case basis depending on space.
We cover Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke, and for surrenders we also reach Hamilton, Durham Region and Barrie. All adoptions and surrenders are arranged in person — we do not ship reptiles.
Who is behind Toronto Reptiles?
About us
Meet Olivia and Chris
Two experienced keepers who opened their home because people kept asking for help. Read how this started, what we keep, and why we do it this way.
Our animals
The ones who stayed
Some animals are not suitable for rehoming and live with us permanently. Meet the residents.
Get in touch
Whether you are rehoming, adopting, or genuinely unsure what your options are — send us a note. We answer every message.