(PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – Smoky Mountain Exotics Rescue & Rehabilitation says people should realize what they’re getting into before deciding to own an exotic pet.
At any given time, the rescue group can have 100 to 150 animals in their care. These animals range from a bird to a snake.
“You’ve got to think about the long-term care. Social media has kind of ruined it because it shows the highlights,” said Nathan Theriaque, founder of the rescue group. “It’s cool he talks,” he added while holding a bird in his care. “He gets rehomed and average of 17 times. We have birds that will live up to 100 years.”
He said people don’t realize how much work it takes to care for an animal. He said there are some animals at the facility that will never find a forever home.
One place they get the most frequent calls is in Knoxville. He said it’s people releasing animals after realizing they could no longer care for them.
“We get a lot of calls, especially in Knoxville, people will just dump them in a park,” said Theriaque.
“Every time I walk into a vet that’s $3-500. That’s not testing, that’s not x-rays, that’s just for him to be seen,” he said.
He said social media shows the positive side of the cute animals and not the work or the cost that goes into caring for them.
“Everything we do is rescue, revive and rehome with heart. So, educating people not only on the good side of exotic pet ownership, but the bad side,” he added.
He also said donations are welcome to help care for the animals until they find their forever home.
Visit their website for more information
Rescue and Rehabilitation | Smoky mtn parrot rescue
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