General Wildlife & Exotics FAQ
1. Do I need an appointment to surrender my exotic animal?
Yes! Fill out our Pet Surrender Form. Once submitted, our Admissions Department will be in touch. If you need to follow up regarding your surrender form, please email us at admissions@houstonhumane.org.
2. What is the adoption process?
Let our adoption counselors know which animal(s) you’re interested in. If they’re available, we can arrange a meet-and-greet so you can spend some time with them. If you decide they’re a good fit for your lifestyle, you’ll complete our adoption paperwork and take your new pet(s) home!
3. Will you take an exotic animal if it’s sick or injured?
Yes!
4. If I want to adopt an animal but my enclosure isn’t quite ready yet, are you able to hold them for me?
If you fill out the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee, we are able to hold them for up to 72 hours to allow you to put the finishing touches on their new home!
5. Does your department need fosters?
Our department needs experienced exotic fosters occasionally depending on the animals in our care. If you are interested, please complete our foster application.
6. Are there any volunteer opportunities in the exotics department?
Yes! We offer volunteer opportunities with our small mammals, and are looking to expand opportunities to other exotics in the future. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out our volunteer application.
7. Do you take donations?
Yes! Our department is always in need of small mammal supplies (timothy hay, paper bedding, water bottles, etc), reptile supplies (hides, foliage, bowls, etc), bird toys, and exotic animal enclosures (mammal, bird, and reptile). Check our Contact Us page for location and hours.
8. Does your clinic see exotic pets brought in by the general public?
At this time we do not currently offer that service, but there are many great exotic vets around the Houston area.
9. How do I know if an animal I found is an escaped pet or native wildlife?
Use Google Lens or Merlin to help identify what the species of animal is. If the species is found in Texas naturally, leave it where you found it. If it is not typically found in Texas, it is someone’s escaped pet!
10. I can’t afford to take care of my exotic anymore, do you have any programs to help?
We are currently in the process of collaborating with our Community Impact team to add a wider variety of exotic animals into our Pet Pantry program. We should have something up and running soon! If you are interested in learning more about Pet Pantry, please click here.
Donating to Wildlife & Exotics
1. How can I make a donation?
Donations to HHS Wildlife & Exotics can be made several ways:
- Online by visiting our donation page (credit card or PayPal)
- In person (cash, check, or credit card)
- By phone 713-341-3344 (credit card)
- By mail (cash or check)
All donations may be made out to the Houston Humane Society Wildlife & Exotics and, if mailed, sent to: P.O. Box 450528, Houston, TX 77053.
2. Can I write any donation off on my taxes?
HHS Wildlife & Exotics is a nonprofit charity operating since 1979 and is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. Our federal tax identification number is 74-1340341.
All taxable donations over $30 will receive a tax donation acknowledgment.
3. Do you have a recurring donation system?
Recurring donations can be set up using our online donation page.
4. Why can't I find HHS Wildlife & Exotics on my Employer's Donation Matching Site?
The Houston Humane Society Wildlife & Exotics is a wildlife specific department within the Houston Humane Society organization, which means most employers will list us under "Houston Humane Society" only.