Return to Rescue
Unfortunately, some animals have long-term health conditions or irreversible damage, leaving them unable to make a full recovery. In these cases, we provide life-long care either ourselves, or through our wonderful foster homes, to ensure the ethical management of their condition. Some reasons we may decide to enlist an animal to our sanctuary:
- Having a long-term health condition
- Requiring life-time support or extra care
- Having behavioural issues deemed too severe for rehome
- Having a life-limiting or deteriorative disease
- Being a carrier for a highly contagious infection
These animals also become our advocates for correct care and husbandry. They may join our sponsorship program, where you can make regular donations to hear updates on their activity, or they may feature in our promotional material. More than anything, they become much-loved members of our team, for as long as they live.
Meet the Animals
Lupin
Lupin arrived as a 5 year old, Hermann’s Tortoise in March 2020. He has severe MBD, causing him to be unable to stand on back legs; his shell was also soft. With the correct lighting and supplements, his condition has improved, though he still cannot stand up fully on all four legs. He is a delightful character and our team love to have him in our care.
Opal
Opal was transferred to Jelly Exotics from a small animal rescue in October 2020, as a 1.5 year old silk-back bearded dragon. He was bred to not have any scales, which leads to a number of health problems, such as shedding problems, swollen eyes and sight impairment. He receives regular baths to assist his shedding, and has to be hand fed. He attends events to educate the public on silk-backs and the issues they face.
Pebbles
Pebbles is a leopard gecko, who’s age is unknown. She arrived in November 2021 with an infected wound on her back right leg and swelling in her abdomen. Under surgery, her leg was amputated due to a severe infection that left her bones almost dissolved and it was found that an abscess had taken over her ovaries and abdomen wall so this was also removed. She has remained a sanctuary resident here to continue her support.
Hiccup
Hiccup arrived at 3 years old in March 2022. She is a crested gecko and upon arrival she went dramatically off food, losing most of her weight very quickly. Despite extensive tests, no cause was identified. With constant hand-feeding, she slowly gained her appetite back and gained the lost weight again, but continues to refuse to eat on her own.
Skittles
Skittles was surrendered in March 2023 at a few months old. He was very poorly with what was revealed as atadenovirus, a highly contagious infection that cannot be cured. He arrived with 2 of his hatch mates, who sadly passed away. Luckily Skittles recovered and we believe is now a carrier of the disease. Due to the disease remaining present for life, Skittles will not be rehomed, and will be housed in his foster home for the rest of his life.
OhYamma
OhYamma is a large boa constrictor, who age was unknown on arrival in May 2023. All our boas are screened for arenavirus, which unfortunately OhYamma was positive for. This is a deteriorative, contagious disease that over time causes neurological symptoms. She is housed in one of our foster homes, who houses all our arenavirus positive snakes.
Jelly Exotics 