How to adopt a reptile
or exotic pet
Did you know you can adopt rescue reptiles and other exotic pets? This guide explains how our adoption process for snakes, lizards, bearded dragons and other reptiles works, what specialist care to prepare for, and how we match animals with suitable homes.
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Reptile and exotic pet adoption process
Find a rescue reptile or exotic pet
Use our Find a Pet search to browse reptiles and exotic pets looking for homes. Whether you’re hoping to rehome a snake, lizard or gecko, you can filter by location and species to find the right match.
Each profile explains the animal’s background, needs and ideal home. Taking time to read each one carefully will help you decide who would best suit your lifestyle.
Apply to rehome a reptile
Once you’ve found an animal you’d like to adopt, complete our online application form.
This helps our teams understand your experience and home setup. Reptiles and exotic pets often have specialist needs, so we’ll look carefully at whether the species you’ve chosen fits your home and routine.
If your first choice isn’t quite right, we’ll help you explore other options.
You don’t need an RSPCA account to apply, but having one makes it easier for you to add reptiles to your favourites and track your application.
Meet and get to know each other
If your application is a suitable match, our team will invite you to meet the reptile or exotic pet.
Meetings take place at the animal centre and give you a chance to understand your potential companion’s behaviour and any specialist needs to consider. Depending on the type of pet, we may want to discuss your existing setup before moving onto the next step of the adoption process.
Spending time together can help you both get to know each other and see if you fit. It helps everyone feel more comfortable and confident before any final decision is made.
Prepare your home
Before you rehome a reptile, it’s important to prepare the right environment.
Our teams can advise on enclosure size, temperature, lighting, humidity, diet and enrichment. This is a key part of the process, as many reptiles need very specific conditions to stay healthy. For example, if you’re looking to rehome a snake, you’ll need a secure enclosure and confidence with handling, whereas if you’re rehoming a lizard or gecko, their needs may be quite different, with specific habitat requirements.
Taking time to prepare the setup properly helps the animal settle in safely and comfortably.
If you’re collecting your reptile, you'll need an appropriate carrier with suitable bedding to transport them home.
Complete the adoption
Once everything is agreed, we’ll guide you, or the lead adopter, through the final paperwork and adoption fee.
Your reptile or exotic pet will be health checked and prepared for rehoming, according to their needs. We’ll make sure you have everything you need and help you to the car. If you’re happy to, we may take a photo with you and your new reptile. You’ll receive advice on housing, feeding and ongoing care, and our teams can offer support and guidance after adoption if you need it.
Find a pet
Meet our rescue reptiles
Before you apply
What we need from you
Reptiles and exotic pets can have very specialist care needs, so it’s important to think carefully about whether your home and routine can support them. We’ll consider your planned setup and the species you’re interested in. We’ll also need to know about your experience, such as if you’re a first-time reptile owner or have previously had a reptile with medical or behavioural needs.
Some reptiles live for many years and need controlled environments, specialist heating and lighting, and species-specific diets. Adoption is a long-term commitment.
Before you apply to rehome a reptile or exotic pet, we ask that you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Have permission from your landlord if you rent
- Can provide a safe and suitable enclosure
- Can meet the animal’s needs for heat, light, humidity and diet
- Are willing to learn about the species’ specific welfare needs
- Understand the long-term commitment involved in caring for them
If the animal you apply for isn’t the right match, we’ll help you explore others who may suit you better.
Reptile and exotic pet adoption fees
If you’re wondering how much it costs to rescue a snake, lizard, dragon or terrapin from the RSPCA, adoption fees vary by centre and by species. The fee helps cover the cost of preparing each animal for rehoming and supporting their care while they’re with us.
Adoption fees also help support our rescue work and allow us to help more animals in need.
Your fee contributes towards:
Health checks
Veterinary treatment where needed
Ongoing care while the animal is with us
Preparation for rehoming
Specialist husbandry support where appropriate
Frequently asked questions
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Possibly. Some species may be more suitable than others for first-time owners, but reptiles and exotics often have specialist needs. We’ll help you understand what’s involved and whether the animal is a good fit for your experience and setup.
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We’ll share everything we know about your reptile, including their history before they came to us (if we know) and any behaviour or medical assessments that happened in our care. If your reptile has been under the care of one of our behaviour specialists, you will receive a bespoke behaviour report. We pride ourselves on knowing the animals in our care and we’ll share that with you too.
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Our team can guide you through necessities. Most of our centres sell the essentials in our on-site shops and your purchases directly support our centres. We recommend all pet owners have pet insurance.
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We provide a full medical history and it's good practice to arrange a routine vet check post-adoption. In some cases, you may wish to discuss veterinary details with your vet prior to adoption.
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Usually no, but it depends on the species. Most common pet reptiles don’t require a licence, but some exotic animals may be subject to specific legal requirements. We’ll advise you if there are any restrictions for the animal you’re interested in.
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Sometimes, but not always. Housing reptiles together depends on the species, enclosure size and individual temperaments. Some reptiles should be kept alone. Our teams will explain what’s appropriate for the animal you’re interested in.
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You don’t always need a finished setup before applying, but you should be prepared to show how you’ll meet the animal’s needs before adoption is completed.
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Yes. Our teams can explain the essentials, including environment, feeding and handling, so you understand what the animal needs before bringing them home.
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Most of our centres are not on public transport routes so you will need a car and a secure, well ventilated pet carrier. You should travel directly home and avoid getting your pet out of the car until you are safely home.
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Every reptile responds differently to a new home. Some may settle into their new routine quickly, while others need more time. There’s no set timeframe or single pattern of behaviour to expect in the first week. Give your reptile time to get used to their new surroundings at their own pace.
