Hi everyone. I’m looking to rehome my uromastyx due to some unfortunate like turns. I’ve tried posting on Reddit, Facebook, and a few other places, but most of the offers were spam or came from people who didn’t have reptile experience. I’m really at a dead end as to what to do.
I’ve had my Uro for about three years now, and everything has been great up until my grandparents decided that I had to start paying rent to live with them. I’m 17, almost 18, and I have to pay for my own groceries, electric, to use the shower, etc. It’s adding up a lot, and our landlord just raised the electric, so I have to contribute more to that as well (about $90 more). I work, but it’s just not enough money coming in. My Uro obviously requires a lot of heat and for her lights to be on from 6 am to 9pm, the cause of a huge chunk of my electric “bill” due to the wattage of her lights. I had saved up money for college (about $2,000) but I’m having to cut into it. Also, since the apartment we live in used to be a house but was split in two, my room doesn’t have windows. I live in Ohio, and the heatwave is crazy right now. I have to have a fan on and I have a feeling that it’s going to raise my electric “bill” significantly by the end of the month. I can’t afford to take care of Chile Pepper anymore. I thought we’d be together until one of us dies, but that, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be the case. Any advice on how to rehome her after exhausting the formally mentioned resources would be great. I need it. Badly.
Hello Savannah. I’m sorry to hear about your unfortunate turn of events! If you are waiting to find someone with experience to adopt your Chile Pepper!
You should contact your reptile vet because a lot of times exotics vets work with different rescue groups as part of the practice, if you are trying to sell her and her whole setup that might be difficult as well.
Sometimes mom and pop pet stores will take in animals. My pet store will take in reptiles on occasion. There is a really great reptile rescue group in New York called The Pancake House? or something like that, but you would have to ship her at your expense.
Also you might post this on CB. There are a lot of lizard lovers there as well.
Sorry I couldn’t help much. Good luck 
I’d look to see if there are any reptile rescues in your area, and contact them. I’m not sure what part of Ohio you are in, but there are places like Herps Alive or Arrowhead Reptile Rescue. There may be others as well, I suggest taking to Google and seeing what you can find. Do note that Herps Alive is closed to intakes until after July 4th, and Arrowhead make take time to reply.
Very sorry to hear you can’t keep Chile Pepper, it sounds like you’re dealing with a lot right now. But good on you for wanting to make sure your uro goes to a good home.
I definitely second the suggestions of seeking out a reptile vet and/or reptile rescue to see if they can help. Even if a rescue didn’t have space to take in your uro, they might still be able to help you find and vet potential new homes.
You might even contact your local animal shelter. I will caution you that most animal shelters primarily deal with dogs and cats and often don’t know much about reptile care, so I’m not sure I’d recommend surrendering the uro to their care (though you never know, some shelters do end up with staff/volunteers who are reptile people), but they still might be willing to help you find and vet new homes while Chile Pepper remains in your care. It would be worth a shot if you strike out with reptile vets and rescues.
I’m sorry to hear that you have to rehome your uro. Maybe try contacting Noah. Northern ohio association of herpetologists. They may be able to offer some direction or even help find an appropriate (experienced) home. I am not positive but I think they are at Case Western Reserve.