Reptile Boarding

Fresh Start Rescue has been asked often if we will 'babysit' reptiles while people go out of town, relocate, or deploy for the military. While we have limited space, we can board a few animals depending on the species and space available. 

Boarding includes:

• Food appropriate for species
• Lighting
• Your enclosure or ours (see Terms and Conditions)
• Most boarding animals will be inside the house away from the other rescue animals as space allows.

• Your pet will be handled by our volunteers. 
• Pet will be kept in its own enclosure, however there is always exposure to other reptiles at this facility which means parasites/disease can spread no matter how careful we are, it is a risk of boarding an animal in a facility with other animals. Boarding animals are kept as separate as possible and all safety procedures are followed to avoid spreading germs or parasites.
• Your pet must be disease and parasite free before boarding. If your pet brings a contagious disease or parasite into the rescue and results in the death or vet bills of other animals, you will be responsible for those fees. All pets are treated for mites upon intake.
  • ​Bearded dragons carry a disease called Atadenovirus. If you got your bearded dragon at a pet store within the last few years, it likely already has this virus. This virus is contagious and can cause sudden, unexplained death. Adults can be healthy-looking, asymptomatic carriers. We are happy to test your dragon while it is here, at your expense. 
  • Leopard geckos can carry cryptosporidium which is contagious and deadly.
  • Snakes can carry Inclusion Body Disease or Nidovirus, both are contagious and deadly.
  • The stress of being in a new place can also cause death or illness in a reptile. 
  • These are not the only things they can carry but these are the more common, dangerous ones. 
  • Fresh Start Rescue Inc is not responsible for the death of any animal while in boarding. 
  • Necropsies can be performed by our vet at your request and expense, or the body can be preserved for necropsy when you return. 
  • Fresh Start Rescue Inc has safety protocols in place to minimize the transmission of possible illness but all owners should understand the risks associated with boarding your animal. 
• Any medications or special supplements your animal is on must be discussed and approved BEFORE boarding. You are responsible for providing these items.
• You will be responsible for any vet fees for your animal for any reason. As a courtesy, you will be contacted if your pet needs to go to the vet, but necessary medical care is not optional. Necessity is determined by our staff.
• Owner retains ownership of animal as long as boarding expenses are paid and eta of return is updated as needed. If owner does not contact us or return within 30 days of agreed upon date or 30 days from first missed payment, ownership reverts to Fresh Start Rescue and we may adopt out the animal at our discretion.
• In the event, Fresh Start Rescue closes our doors during your animal’s stay, you will be contacted, and the animal will be returned to you as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to fulfill your contracted length of stay.
• Adults must be present and sign boarding form at time of animal drop off.
• For stays over a month or special animals (such as chameleons) you are encouraged to bring your own enclosure. It must be clean and free of mites or other non-feeder insects. If your equipment is found to have insects (especially non-feeder or house roaches) it will be removed, your animal will use our equipment and you may be charged an equipment and exterminating fee.
• All reptiles will be cared for in the same manner and fed on the same schedule as our rescue animals. If your pet requires something special, you need to provide it and it could result in an extra fee. 
• If your enclosure is used for housing here, it must be secure. Fresh Start is not responsible for animals that escape your enclosure because it is not secure or it is defective. 
• Fresh Start Rescue Inc is not responsible for lost, stolen, or deceased animals. Accidents can happen, natural disasters can happen, escapes can happen, reptiles can have medical issues with no symptoms. All safety precautions are taken with every animal in our care and we treat them as we would our own, however, things can happen that are out of our control and Fresh Start Rescue is not responsible if anything happens to your animal while boarding here. 
• If you require use of our enclosure, there may be an extra fee. For longer stays, we may charge you for the substrate and UVB lighting that cannot be reused. Please let us know as far in advance as possible if you need to use one of our enclosures as they are limited.