ADOPTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Little RES Q's adoption policy is designed to help ensure that all reptiles in our care are placed in suitable, permanent homes. Adopters must be at least 18 years of age with no history of animal abuse or neglect. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to care for the animal financially, including providing veterinary care, quality food and adequate tank size.
BREEDING IS PROHIBITED
Prior to adopting out Exotic Animals into new homes, the following procedures will be followed:
All prospective adopters must fill out and submit an adoption application form and answer all questions completely and honestly.
Once an adoption application has been received, Little RES Q will attempt to ascertain the knowledge, experience, and capabilities of the potential adopter has with regard to providing proper care for the Exotic Animal. A background check may be completed on the adopter to verify personal information and check for animal related criminal convictions. The adoption will remain pending during this time.
Little RES Q may make courtesy calls to determine a happy and healthy adoption.
During the first year of adoption, the adopter must notify Little RES Q if the adopted Exotic Animal has died or has been lost or stolen.
Under no circumstances, will the adopter be allowed to sell trade or give away the Exotic Animal. If care can no longer be provided for the Exotic Animal, the adopter is required to return the Exotic Animal to the Little RES Q.
The adopter releases Little RES Q of any liability in regards to the health or behavior of the Exotic Animal adopted. While it is understood that every effort has been made to provide an accurate assessment of the history and health of the Exotic Animal, Little RES Q explicitly disclaims warranties regarding medical status or behavior of said Exotic Animal. As the adopter you agree not to hold the Little RES Q liable for any claims of injury to property or persons or otherwise caused by the Exotic Animal.
Our application process requires applicants to give us personal information about themselves (name, street address, age, etc) we use this information strictly to determine if the applicant can provide a good home for the Exotic Animal he or she wishes to adopt. An individual's information will not be disclosed to any third parties other than Little RES Q.
We will not adopt to persons under the age of 18. Adults - if you are applying for your child, please realize that we will be evaluating YOUR knowledge of the species during our adoption process. If you are not capable of caring for it yourself, we will not adopt to you.
We reserve the right to refuse adoption to anyone. We are not a government agency, and can choose our adoptive homes by any means we decide to utilize.
Adoption fees vary from animal to animal. There are no "standard" fees, although most animals will range in the $20-100 range. Our adoption fees will be based on many things: the retail value, the level of care it will need, vet treatment, and likelihood of finding a good home. Adoption fees are not final, and we can/will waive them if we deem it appropriate and necessary to placing the animal in the best home. In general, though - if you can't afford our minor adoption fee, it will certainly raise a question about your ability to care for the animal.
Anyone found to have placed false or misleading information on an application will be red-flagged, and other reptile rescues will be notified of your dishonesty. We expect nothing but legitimate responses on our application.
SURRENDER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
We will accept most legal species of herps (snakes, lizards, frogs or turtles) that we have the space and financial ability to help. If your animal is sick, we will either refuse it, or ask that you give a reasonable donation towards what the expected vet cost will be. Those animals we are not able to take in can be placed on our website, if you provide us with a photograph, and as much info as possible about it. We will then coordinate the adoption for you.
We request that you donate all the equipment (lighting, cages, supplements, etc.) for the reptile. This makes the transition easiest for the reptile to remain in an environment it is familiar with; decreasing stress for the animal. Due to the high numbers of turtles surrendered, we're forced to co-habituate them in large aquariums separated by sex. Your equipment, however, still goes to great use throughout the rescue's various locations.
The Little RES Q will provide for or assist to find homes for reptiles and amphibians in need of new homes. This includes animals from:
• neglectful homes
• abusive situations
• confiscation by Animal Control or Law Enforcement
• owners seeking new homes for their reptiles
• etc.
Filling out the surrender form verifies that you agree that you hereby donate the described animal to the Little RES Q. You understand and agree that the animal will become the sole property of the Little RES Q. You further understand that you hereby relinquish all rights to the animal permanently and without further recourse. You further release the Little RES Q from any claims, present or future, related to the disposition of such animal.
Anyone who surrenders to Little RES Q is not eligible to adopt an Exotic Animal from us within two years of the surrender.
The Exotic Animal will be monitored for not less than 30 days to ensure a healthy appetite, determine demeanor, and watch for visible medical problems. If appropriate, the Exotic Animal will be treated for all obvious health problems and if necessary, a veterinarian will give the Exotic Animal an overall examination for any problems.
The Little RES Q is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and relocation of pet turtles in an attempt to keep them from being released into the wild. We provide a better option for those who, for one reason or another, cannot take care of their reptiles anymore. 
