Straightforward answers to the questions we hear the most.
Scope
02No. Beauties of the Beasts is a reptile-only rescue. We do not accept dogs, cats, birds, or small mammals. If you are trying to rehome one of those species, please contact a local humane society or shelter — we keep a list on our contact page.
We take in snakes (non-venomous), lizards, turtles, tortoises, and amphibians. We can usually accommodate common species (ball pythons, boas, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, tegus, monitors, red-eared sliders, sulcatas, etc.) and work case-by-case with more unusual animals. We do not accept venomous species or animals requiring federal permits we do not hold.
Adoption
03Review our adoptable reptiles, then submit an adoption application through the form on that page. We review applications carefully — experience level, enclosure readiness, and species fit all matter. We would rather take our time than place an animal poorly.
We do not charge a fixed adoption fee. We ask that adopters come prepared with an appropriate enclosure — the right size and setup for the species matters more to us than money. If a voluntary donation to help cover care costs is possible, it is appreciated but never required.
Possibly. We prefer local adoptions where we can do an in-person meet-and-greet, but we have placed animals with approved adopters in other Southwest states when the fit is strong and safe transport can be arranged. Reach out first — we evaluate these case by case.
Surrender
02Fill out the surrender form on our Surrender page with your reptile’s species, age, setup, and a recent photo. We’ll follow up within 72 hours to discuss next steps. We will never judge you for needing to rehome an animal — but please know our space is limited and we cannot always accept every animal immediately.
Our capacity fluctuates. If we can’t take your animal immediately, we’ll be honest about that, give you a rough timeline, and, where we can, refer you to a partner rescue or offer care guidance so the animal stays healthy in the meantime. We’d rather be upfront than promise space we don’t have.
Donations
01Yes. Beauties of the Beasts is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and you will receive an emailed receipt.
General
03Yes. We are based in Yuma and primarily serve southern Arizona and the greater Southwest. For surrenders or adoptions outside that range, we may be able to coordinate transport — reach out and we’ll figure it out together.
Within reason, yes. We are not veterinarians and we do not have an on-site vet, but we do our best to answer husbandry questions and can refer you to exotic-experienced veterinarians in the region. If you’re in a medical emergency with your animal, please contact an exotic vet directly.
Most placements happen within one to three weeks of application — faster when the match is clear and the setup is ready. We do not rush. If we have follow-up questions about your enclosure or experience, that is part of how we make sure placements stick.
We operate out of a private home, so walk-ins are not possible. Once your application is approved, we coordinate a meet-and-greet before any placement is finalized. This keeps the animals in a low-stress environment and ensures every introduction is intentional.