Phoenix Herpetological Society to Exhibit Reptiles

Posted By Les Conklin on Feb 28, 2016

Yellow Blotched Pit Viper. Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Herpetological Society

North Scottsdale Nonprofit to be an Exhibitor at Scottsdale Western Cookout Adventure on March 5th

Alligators, crocodiles, turtles, snakes, and other reptiles are the focus of Phoenix Herpetological Society (PHS). PHS, which is based in north Scottsdale, will be exhibiting some of its reptiles at the 216 Scottsdale Western Cookout Adventure.

PHS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and is a statewide facility that includes a surrender facility, education program, summer camps and rescue and rehabilitation. PHS provides a sanctuary for both native and non-native reptiles.

King Cobra, Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Herpetological Society

PHS takes in almost to 500 animals annually from private pet owners. Currently PHS is home to over 1,200 animals of which 90 percent are pet trade type animals. PHS assists the general public, humane societies, animal welfare leagues, animal control departments, law enforcement and other organizations across the United States. Recently PHS assisted the SPCA on a rescue in Texas where it picked up 572 animals. These animals are being rehabilitated and some are currently up for adoption

Teacher Kisses Alligator at School Fundraiser, A

In addition to its rescue and rehabilitation work, PHS is involved in conservation and education initiative related to reptiles. Last year, the PHS outreach program touched more than 100,000 people. Most were school-aged children and teenagers.

In 2001, Russ Johnson, Daniel Marchand, and Debbie Gibson decided to do something about an obvious need in Arizona. There were organizations that rescued Arizona’s wild mammals and pets but there were no facilities to intake of reptiles. Many people who owned reptiles as pets had no outlet to relinquish ownership if needed. To make matters worse, there was no place to acquire additional information on care and husbandry of reptiles. Also, native species were being destroyed due to lack of education. PHS was founded with the mission of have a facility to house reptiles until forever homes could be found and to educate people on responsible pet ownership and the importance on conservation and desert safety.