Grand OPening april 1st, 2026

162 N main street, rutland VT 05777

What is our exhibit?

Our exhibit has two functions; the first is to provide a safe, lifelong sanctuary for animals in need. Our second function is to be a educational center where people can come see, interact, and learn about, and gain understanding for herpetological and aquatic life so that less animals will need to be rescued in the future.

Prices
  Hours
Experiences
Private Tours

COMING SOON

Facts

Answers

Questions

  • We understand many people believe that animals would be best kept out of captivity, and we agree! Wild animals who were born and raised in the wild should not be removed and placed into captivity. Often times they don’t adjust well and aren’t provided the quality of life they once knew.

    Our facility works with two main groups of animals, captive bred and rescues - though we mostly work with rescues. When animals are captive bred, they have never seen or known the wild. Their instincts would only take them so far as they have learned to rely on food and water being provided, and in most cases they have learned to trust humans which would interfere with their ability to avoid predators. Just like a domesticated cat would struggle to survive in Africa (where they were origionally domesticated from the African Wildcat), a captive bred reptile would struggle to survive in their native wild habitat.

    The other group of animals we work with are rescues. We do not know the origins of the majority of our rescues, and it is possible that some of them were taken from the wild at one point (though we have no firm way of knowing this). While some of our rescues come to us in excellent health from excellent conditions, many of them sadly do not. From animals left behind in apartments, released into Vermonts cold weather and being lucky to be found, to poor living conditions and care that effect their health. Many of our resuces come in with disabilites, diseases, and other health issues. We work closely with our vet to treat and rehabilitate these rescues and then evaluate what the best quality of life we can offer them is.

  • We work with all our new animals extensively before they ever become available to be publicly handled. We have a multistep process to evaluate which animals will do well with interactions, the animals that pass through this process then become ambassadors.

    The process is simple, yet thorough. When we get a new animal surrendered to our business the first thing we do is a health evaluation. Once the animal is healthy we then begin working hands on ourselves with the animal. If the animal is receptive and does well then we take the animal into public (typically to a pet friendly store). If they do well in that setting the final step is to bring the animal to a “trial” event to see how they do. If the animal does well and (more importantly) shows no signs of stress or discomfort, then that animal is made an ambassador and becomes available for shows, interactions, etc.. If at any point the animal does not do well (it is stressed, unhappy, or scared) it is marked unavailable for interactions.

    As for why we offer interactions, simply put we need ways to raise money so we can continue to do what we do. The financial investment to feed, house, medically treat, and care for all of our animals individual needs is high and interactions are great way to not only fundraise, but also allow people to get hands on and gain a better understanding of the animals we work with!

  • When you come into our exhibit you will have the opportunity to see over 50 unique species of Aquatic, herpetological, and arachnid life!

    We also offer interaction and feeding opportunities in house!

  • We do not breed or order animals to sell. On occassion we will have animals available for adoption, though this is not a regular occurance.

    We do offer food for sale! Check out our shop page to see the products we sell!