Have an Exotic Pet You Can No Longer Care For?
Don’t release it—surrender it safely.
Join us for J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue’s Exotic Pet Surrender Event
🗓️ Thursday, October 8, 2026
🕛 12 PM – 3 PM
📍 La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, WI 54601
This special event is being held during the 2026 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC), a biennial gathering dedicated to preventing and managing the spread of invasive species across the region. Now celebrating its 20th year, UMISC brings together researchers, land managers, nonprofits, and policymakers to strengthen prevention, control, and containment efforts. It is hosted in partnership by the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin, Midwest Invasive Plant Network, and the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council.
In many communities, rehoming options for exotic pets like fish, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates are limited. Unfortunately, some well-meaning owners release unwanted pets into the wild—an action that can lead to serious ecological harm. This event provides a safe, humane, and judgment-free alternative to pet release.
🐢🦎 Accepted at this event:
• Fish, invertebrates, reptiles, pet birds, small mammals, and aquarium or pond plants—no questions asked!
📦 Please bring animals in secure, waterproof, escape-proof containers that can be left with staff.
🚫 Not Accepted:
• Domestic animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and chickens
• Native wildlife taken from the wild
• Mammals, birds, and reptiles from out of state without a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
📸 Event Extras:
• Meet live animal ambassadors and hear their stories
• Snap a photo at our rescue animal photobooth!
🤝 Event Hosted By:
• J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR)
• University of Wisconsin Sea Grant / Water Resources Institutes
💚 We are currently seeking sponsors for this important event. Sponsorship helps support rehoming, outreach, and public education.
📩 Questions?
Contact Macy Wolke-Yohr at
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🌍 Help us protect local ecosystems and ensure a second chance for exotic pets.
👉 See more upcoming events at:
https://www.jraar.org/exoticpetsurrenderevents
You may also like the following events from J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue:
- This month, 10th November, 12:00 pm, 🐾 Bid for the Beasts: J&R Online Auction in Menasha, Wisconsin
- Next Saturday, 29th November, 12:00 pm, Exotic Pet Surrender Event - West Bend in West Bend
- Next month, 14th December, 12:00 pm, JRAAR Adoption Event at Petco - Appleton West in Appleton
Also check out other
Business events in La Crosse,
Conferences in La Crosse.
