Georgia Herpetological Association & Rescue
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 education events for a modest 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: Sparky!
5 year old, suspected female, Bearded Dragon. Sparky has come a long way with her wonderful foster home. They have introduced her to the proper bearded dragon diet and she loves her greens and live bugs (dubias are her favorite!). Her foster parents have been working with her to get her comfortable being held and she has really blossomed. Here she is at our last adoption day enjoying interacting with the public.
Fostered in Chamblee, NE Atlanta
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." 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. There isn't an animal on this earth that doesn't have Katie's admiration.
Rehome a pet:
Need to re-home your pet reptile? If you find yourself in a position of not being able to care for your pet, the GA Herp Rescue will re-home your pet at no cost to you. Once you have completed the form and submitted it, we will work towards finding a foster home for your pet. We are all volunteers, so please allow 24-48 hours for us to contact you.
1. Fill out an release form through https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/owner-surrender/GAH/Exotic/Other. Answer all questions in their entirety.
2. If you are able to, consider making a donation (through the Donate tab) to help with costs for your animal.
Public Events:
3/11/2023--3/12/2023
Show Me Snakes Reptile & Exotics Show
Cobb County Civic Center
548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta 30060
Saturday 9:00--3:30
Sunday 10:00--3:30
10/28/2023-10/29/2023
Show Me Snakes Reptile & Exotics Show
Cobb County Civic Center
548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta 30060
Saturday 9:00--3:30
Sunday 10:00--3:30
Sponsored by:
