While some exotic animals come to us through donations from other facilities, many arrive as former pets whose owners could no longer care for them. The reasons for this are varied, such as a beloved family member may have passed away, leaving behind a pet that struggles to bond with anyone else, or an owner may realize they underestimated the responsibilities of caring for an exotic animal. What may have seemed cute as a baby can become challenging as the animal reaches maturity, and instincts can sometimes be mistaken for aggression. This is especially true

for primates, big cats, and other species that, while habituated to humans, are not domesticated. 

In some cases many exotic animals are seized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission due to owners lacking the required permits. For example, a cougar and a Bengal tiger were once found in a Motel Six in Orlando. Their owner was arrested, and the cats were placed in our care they are now known as Repo
and Slammer.