Smithtown, NY - November 3rd, 2014 - The Suffolk County SPCA, in cooperation with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife and USDA will be hosting an Amnesty Day for illegally possessed reptiles and amphibians. Over the last several years, numerous alligators have been found in Long Island waterways illegally released by owners who did not have the ability to care for the growing animals.

The program will be held at the  Suffolk County SPCA, North County Complex, 725 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Building 16, Smithtown, November 9th, 2014  from 12 noon to 3 pm.

"The purpose of this effort is to get these reptiles and amphibians into a controlled environment where they can be cared for properly," Gross said.

This comes in the wake of recent releases of alligators, snakes, and other reptiles into communities in Suffolk County. People who are in possession of these animals unlawfully can turn them in to us without fear of prosecution.  The reptiles cannot survive Long Island winters.

Trained handlers will be available to accept the reptiles and amphibians from the public. 

"Abandoned and dangerous reptiles and amphibians have become an all to common occurrence here on Long Island," said DEC Region 1 Director Peter A. Scully. "All too often, individuals do not realize the difficulties and complications that arise from owning one of these animals. DEC is proud to be part of this amnesty day and hopes anyone currently attempting to care for one of these animals takes advantage of this rare opportunity."
 
Animals that will be accepted during the program:

• All reptiles that are venomous

Large Constrictor Snakes listed below:

1) Burmese Python
2) Reticulated Python
3) African Rock Python
4) Green Anaconda
5) Yellow Anaconda
6) Australian Amethystine Python  
7) Indian Python

Large Lizards / Monitors listed below:

9) Asiatic (water) Monitor
10) Nile Monitor
11( White Throat Monitor
12) Black Throat Monitor
13) Crocodile Monitor
14) Komodo Dragon
15)  All species and sub-species of Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles & caimans)                                                                                                       

Non-Target Species
Species that do not require permits, and/or are not threatened or endangered will not be accepted.
 
No Mammals Will Be Accepted, Nor Is Unlawful Possession Of Mammals Part Of This Amnesty Program.

North County Complex is located on the Northeast Corner of Veterans Memorial Highway and Old Willets Path.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Suffolk County SPCA (631) 382-7722
DEC (631) 444-0250
USFWS (516) 825-3950