Not quite—though we share some similarities with pet stores, we’re fundamentally different in our mission and operations. Like most pet stores, and unlike many exotic pet rescues, we’re open to the public and can purchase supplies and animals from licensed and inspected wholesalers. This helps us meet the needs of the animals in our care and those of the adopters who rely on us for quality supplies. However, what sets us apart from a traditional pet store is our commitment to responsible rehoming. Every potential adopter must complete an application and go through an interview process before we approve an adoption. This ensures that every animal, regardless of where they come from, is placed in a safe, permanent home where their needs will be met. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all funds raised are reinvested into our mission and the community, supporting our rescue, education, and outreach efforts. Our focus is always on the animals and the people who care for them.

The enclosures in our adoption center are designed to be temporary due to space limitations. Similar to pet stores and humane societies, we use these smaller habitats for the brief period that animals stay with us while awaiting adoption. Despite their size, we ensure the enclosures are kept clean and comfortable: Daily spot cleaning Thorough cleaning weekly Complete sanitation between residents (except for fish) We also make sure that each animal has appropriate heating, lighting, and enrichment to promote their well-being while they are with us. Our goal is to provide them with a safe and supportive environment until they find their forever homes. 🐾

A: Yes! We welcome participation from bona fide non-profit rescue and educational organizations. To accept surrendered animals at our events, organizations must meet the following criteria: Be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Have a website that lists animals available for adoption. Organizations that do not meet these criteria are still invited to attend and distribute information about their mission and services. If you’re interested in participating, please reach out—we’d love to collaborate! 🐾

Most of our adoptable animals come from voluntary surrenders, either at our Rescue Center in Neenah or at our award-winning Exotic Pet Surrender Events. We also take in animals that have been abandoned, seized by law enforcement, or found as strays. Additionally, we accept animals from wholesalers and breeders that have medical or cosmetic defects, which are often rejected by pet stores. Our mission is to rescue these animals from warehouses and give them a chance at a permanent, loving home. We always note the source and reason for surrender on the profiles of most, if not all, of our adoptable animals. While we are proud to rescue animals from diverse backgrounds, we believe that the most important aspect is where these animals go after they leave our care. Regardless of where they come from, we ensure that every adopter is well-informed, prepared, and dedicated to providing a permanent, loving home. We are fortunate to be able to help animals from such a wide range of situations. 🐾

A: When we accept the surrender of an animal, we incur expenses to ensure its health and well-being. This often includes purchasing new equipment like cages, lighting, and other necessary life support systems, as well as covering costs for food and medical care. Instead of placing these financial burdens on our volunteers, we distribute them through adoption fees. Adoption fees also help us deter individuals who are simply looking for free pets or those who might try to resell the animals. Despite these fees, adopting through us is still a great value—our adoption fees are typically 30 to 50% less than retail prices. This ensures that adopting is both a responsible and economical choice for potential pet parents.

A: Yes, our organization is transparent. We are committed to maintaining openness and accountability in all our operations. To this end, we post our treasurer's reports and meeting minutes on our website, ensuring that all financial activities and decision-making processes are accessible to the public. Additionally, for each animal in our care, we provide detailed profiles that list their origins, the reasons for their surrender, and any health or behavioral issues they may have. This transparency helps potential adopters make informed decisions and fosters trust within our community.

A: Yes! We offer options for educators seeking educational ambassador animals. For Non-Profits: If the animal will be publicly displayed or used in educational programming, we can waive the adoption fees for surrendered animals by crowdsourcing support. As part of this process, we ask to: Start a fundraiser in your name. Publish a press release. Share the story on social media to highlight the partnership. Interested parties should complete an adoption application to begin the process. Let us help you bring learning to life with an educational animal ambassador! 🐾

A: We do not have a foster program at J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR). Over time, we found that fostering created significant challenges for both our staff and the animals in our care. Here are some of the main reasons we don’t foster: Stressful Logistics: Fostering requires multiple layers of communication. For example, if someone wants to adopt or surrender, we would have to contact the foster, wait for their response, and then relay information back to the patron. This is especially inefficient during emergency situations. Scheduling becomes much simpler when all animals are cared for at our adoption center. Quality of Care: Exotic animals, such as fish and reptiles, require highly specific environments to thrive. It’s difficult to ensure these needs are consistently met across multiple foster homes. By caring for animals in one centralized location, we can closely monitor their environments and health. Financial Burdens: Exotic animal care can be expensive. Maintaining proper life support systems—like filters, heaters, lighting, food, and habitat supplies—comes with significant costs. Reimbursing fosters for expenses adds administrative burdens, and many fosters may overlook the importance of proper record-keeping. Instead of fostering, we encourage permanent adoptions. Adopting a pet achieves the same goal of freeing up space at our adoption center while providing the animal with the stability of a forever home, rather than the uncertainty of a temporary foster arrangement. If you’re ready to make a lasting difference for an animal, consider adopting today! 🐾

A: No, J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR) never charges a fee to surrender a pet. We understand that making the decision to surrender a pet is already difficult, and we don’t want to add any extra barriers or burdens during such a challenging time. While there’s no cost to surrender, we gratefully accept financial donations or the donation of any equipment the surrendering family no longer plans to use. These contributions help us provide the best care for the animals while they’re with us and support our mission to find them loving, permanent homes.

A: If you are old enough to obtain a work permit, you can volunteer independently. In Wisconsin, the minimum age for a work permit is 14.

A: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our priority is providing the best possible care for the animals. While volunteers are an invaluable part of our work, the scale of our operations—caring for hundreds of animals at any given time—requires a consistent and reliable team of skilled individuals. Paying employees ensures that the animals receive the highest standard of care every day. Think of it like hiring a plumber to fix a broken pipe or a vet to administer medical treatment. Certain roles, such as supervisors and caregivers, require expertise and dedication that go beyond what most volunteers can offer. These paid roles ensure the smooth and efficient operation of our shelter, which is crucial to helping as many animals as possible. It’s important to note that staff salaries are funded through sources outside of animal care expenses, so adoption fees and donations directly benefit the animals. Additionally, we collaborate with volunteer programs, including those supporting individuals with disabilities and community service initiatives, to involve as many caring hands as possible. By balancing professional staff with volunteer support, we ensure that we can consistently fulfill our mission to rescue and rehome animals in need.

A: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue does not have an "owner." Instead, we are governed by a board of directors. Our board is responsible for overseeing the organization's activities, ensuring we stay true to our mission, and making important decisions about our operations and finances. Boards of directors typically consist of a group of volunteers who bring diverse skills and expertise to the organization. They meet regularly to discuss and vote on key issues, set strategic goals, and provide guidance to our staff and volunteers. For more information about our governance, including our governing documents, meeting minutes, treasurer's report, and more, please visit our website: https://www.jraar.org/policies-and-procedures

A: When pets are surrendered to our organization, they go through a comprehensive process to ensure their well-being and suitability for adoption. Quarantine and Evaluation: All animals undergo a mandatory quarantine and evaluation period. During this time, we monitor their health, behavior, and overall condition to identify any potential issues. Healthy Animals: Animals that are happy and healthy after this period are made available for adoption, ready to find their forever homes. Medical or Behavioral Concerns: If an animal has a medical condition or behavioral challenges, our veterinary team conducts a thorough evaluation and provides necessary treatments. In rare cases, if an animal's quality of life is severely compromised or if dangerous behavioral issues are present, euthanasia may be considered as a last resort. Collaboration with Other Organizations: To prevent overcrowding and ensure proper care, we collaborate with other rescues and organizations. For instance, we may send animals to programs like PetCo’s Turtle Relinquishment Program, offering them a better chance for a brighter future. Our primary goal is always to prioritize the health and well-being of the animals in our care while finding them safe, loving homes. 🐾

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