All about homeless herps
At Homeless Herps we have one simple goal... we find homes for stray, displaced and unwanted reptiles and amphibians!
As many species of reptiles and amphibians in Australia require a licence to keep them, it adds a layer of complexity to rehoming these animals. As Victoria's only holder of a Vagrant's Permit issued by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), we are legally allowed to take in unlicenced animals and rehome them.
Our story
Homeless Herps didn't start off as Homeless Herps!
For many years up until early in 2018 any stray reptiles and amphibians were taken in and rehomed through an organisation called The Lost Reptiles Home. This organisation was run by several experienced reptile keepers at different times over the years and they all did an amazing job. When it was announced it was closing its doors there was serious concern about what would happen to animals requiring rehoming.
Leading reptile veterinarian, Dr Shane Simpson, saw an opportunity and need to step in and fill the void. He approached the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) with an offer to develop a new adoption system and utilise his veterinary skills and experience to help these animals. With their approval, he launched Homeless Herps. Using social media, and his many contacts throughout the reptile keeping community, wildlife organisations and the veterinary industry, Dr Shane has been able to implement a very unique adoption program that caters for some of our more unusual pets!
Dr shane simpson
Reptile veterinarian
Director of Homeless Herps
Dr Shane Simpson always had a love of animals and wanted to be a vet since he was 6 years old. In December 1996 he achieved that dream and graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (First Class Honours).
Within days of graduating he was back in Melbourne and took up a position at Karingal Veterinary Hospital in Frankston.
When the practice moved to a new purpose-built facility in September 2000, Dr Shane set up some enclosures in the waiting room housing Central Bearded Dragons and Green Tree Frogs. Within a few days he was receiving calls from pet owners asking if he would see their pet reptiles and amphibians. Never one to say no, he gladly obliged and the rest, they say, is history! He was very quickly seeing hundreds of reptilian patients a month and established himself as "The Reptile Doctor".
In September 2018 Dr Shane split his reptile and amphibian work out from Karingal Veterinary Hospital and joined Unusual Pets Vets at their Peninsula clinic as one of the practice owners.
Over the years he has lectured locally, nationally and internationally on the subject of reptile medicine and surgery to veterinarians, veterinary nurses, zoo keepers, wildlife carers and the general public. He has contributed to multiple text books and scientific publications. He is also a consultant veterinarian for several zoological facilities and has held positions on animal ethic committees.