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​Who We Are...


GHAR is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating and providing forever homes for reptiles. Our organization offers experienced foster homes and veterinary care for reptiles in need.

Interested in adding a reptile to your family? There are a good number of healthy reptiles placed in our foster network just waiting for their forever homes. We also provide services if you should find an abandoned reptile. We predominately work in Atlanta and North Georgia.

All of our members have many years of reptile handling and education experience. Therefore, we also provide educational events for a fee for summer camps, schools, home schools, daycares, and birthday parties. The fees go directly to helping us care for sick and injured reptiles. Drop us a line at gharescue@gmail.com for a quote. 
 

Pet of the month: Tina!
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Tina is a very young, suspected male (Titan?), Leopard Gecko. Tina would make a perfect addition for a home that is looking to watch an animal grow! She is normal for her species in that they tolerate short periods of handling. Suspected Jungle or Lavender morph. Her foster home does have a 20-gallon tank that you can use for an additional adoption fee if you so choose.

Pick up in Decatur

A bit about our Founders:

Kathy Smith came to the reptile community with an interest in bearded dragons and she most definitely is the mother of all lizards. Kathy has venomous handling training, experience with larger snakes and lizards, and has a passion for rescue. She worked for 10 years with reptile rescue all over the state of Georgia before forming GHAR, and has also been featured on The Weather Channel, "Critter Fixers: Country Vets," and Central Georgia CBS's "Tegu Taskforce." Kathy was also nominated for "Lizard Personality of the Year" in 2017 from The Reptile Report. Additionally, her animals have been featured on the FX show, "Atlanta" and she has worked as an exotic animal handler and wildlife handler for additional television series.   

Dr. Katie Bell is a teacher by day and a reptile handler by night. She has worked with Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, Georgia, animal shelters throughout North Georgia, and with larger pet store chains, learning about the most up to date husbandry and working to ensure that reptiles kept as pets get the proper care. Not only does Katie have reptile experience, she also has had training with larger exotic animals and aquatics--she has a story about being bit by a bear and yet living to tell the tale. She has been featured on "Critter Fixers: Country Vets" and has done animal education for over 20 years with children. There isn't an animal on this earth that doesn't have Katie's admiration. 

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Kathy and Katie from this season's Critter Fixers: Country Vets!

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If you find an injured native species, check DNR's website for advice here:  https://georgiawildlife.com/sick-injured-or-orphaned-wildlife

Kathy was interviewed about tegu on Atlanta News First/CBS

Rehome a pet:

Please note that we cannot take aquatic turtles.

  1. First, contact us to see if we can accommodate your pet. Let us know where you are located. We CANNOT take your animal directly from a release form. You MUST reach out to us first.

  2. If we have an available foster home, we will then ask you to fill out a release form through https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/owner-surrender/GAH/Exotic/Other. Please do not fill out a form until we have instructed you to do so. 

  3. We will reach out to you to coordinate a day, time and location for you to drop off your animal. Please be patient with us, as we are all volunteers.

  4. If you are able to, consider making a donation (through the Donate tab) to help with costs for your animal.

Events: come see us at these locations. Or, if you are an approved volunteer, click to RSVP and the event will appear on your profile.
  • Sat, Dec 14
    2645 Tritt Springs Trace NE
    Dec 14, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    2645 Tritt Springs Trace NE, 2645 Tritt Springs Trace NE, Marietta, GA 30062, USA
    Dec 14, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    2645 Tritt Springs Trace NE, 2645 Tritt Springs Trace NE, Marietta, GA 30062, USA
    Kathy will need help loading and unloading animals to exhibit, our educational animals at the party. 
  • Sat, Jan 25
    Marietta
    Jan 25, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    Jan 25, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sun, Jan 26
    Marietta
    Jan 26, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    Jan 26, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sat, Feb 15
    Duluth
    Feb 15, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Duluth, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097, USA
    Feb 15, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Duluth, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sun, Feb 16
    Duluth
    Feb 16, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Duluth, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097, USA
    Feb 16, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Duluth, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sat, Apr 05
    Grovetown
    Apr 05, 2025, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    Apr 05, 2025, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sun, Apr 06
    Grovetown
    Apr 06, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    Apr 06, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sat, May 03
    Athens
    May 03, 2025, 11:30 AM – 4:20 PM
    Athens, 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607, USA
    May 03, 2025, 11:30 AM – 4:20 PM
    Athens, 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607, USA
    Sandy Creek Nature Center hosts Snake Day every year, and this year, we have been invited to join! This is an educational event for children and adults, exposing them to various species of snakes. If you'd like to bring one of your personal snakes, confirm with Katie Bell (event organizer).
  • Sat, May 10
    Marietta
    May 10, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    May 10, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sun, May 11
    Marietta
    May 11, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    May 11, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sat, Aug 30
    Marietta
    Aug 30, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    Aug 30, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sun, Aug 31
    Marietta
    Aug 31, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    Aug 31, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Marietta, 734 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sat, Nov 01
    Grovetown
    Nov 01, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    Nov 01, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.
  • Sun, Nov 02
    Grovetown
    Nov 02, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    Nov 02, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Grovetown, 212 Partnership Dr, Grovetown, GA 30813, USA
    We need volunteers to help Kathy load and unload her van, work the table, and talk about our adoption website. NO adoptions will be occurring at the show. Foster volunteers are welcome to bring their foster animals for GHAR. No smoking/vaping in the show or around animals, please.

When looking for a vet or supplier, consider these reputable businesses which also provide sponsorship to help our animals.
 

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