Adoption process

So how do you adopt an animal from Homeless Herps? Because many of the species we deal with require a licence to be kept, it adds a layer of complexity to the adoption process. We have tried to make the process as simple as possible but there are few steps that need to be followed to ensure all the legal requirements are met. It is important to understand that we do not sell animals direct. All animals that we have available are offered through a ballot system to allow everyone the opportunity to adopt an animal should they wish. The information below details the steps involved in adopting an animal from Homeless Herps.

ballot entry

  • Once an animal has been deemed healthy and suitable for adoption, it is advertised as available on our Facebook page or Current Adoptions page. The advertisement for each animal displays the species, sex (if known) and adoption fee. A short paragraph detailing the background of the animal and other important information is also included. The animal's size, weight and age (if known) are also shown. If a license is required to keep the species being advertised then the Victorian license type will be noted. Photos of the animal are also posted.

  • A link to enter the ballot is provided. To enter the ballot simply click on the link and complete the online form to register your interest. Entry to ballots are open for 3 days from when the animal is first listed and close at 6pm on the final day of the ballot.
  • Before applying for a ballot please ensure you meet the following criteria:
  • You MUST have a current and appropriate wildlife license if required. PLEASE check you have this before applying. We DO NOT HOLD animals for people who are applying or waiting for their license. During the ballot entry process you will be asked to supply you license number and expiry date.
  • Ensure you have the money for the adoption fee to be paid within 48 hours of winning the ballot. This payment is NON-REFUNDABLE and needs to be paid before we send any paperwork through to complete the adoption. Non-payment will result in you forfeiting the animal.
  • You have appropriate housing available for the animal. We DO NOT HOLD animals so you can organise a new enclosure!
  • You must be able to pick up from Unusual Pet Vets - Peninsula located at 210 Karingal Drive, Frankston, Victoria, 3199 OR interstate applications are accepted however you are responsible for all transport of the animal from the clinic to the airport, freight arrangements and costs. You will need to complete an import/export permit from your state's relevant authority in a timely manner if required.
If you win the ballot and fail to meet the above requirements you will forfeit the animal and it will be rehomed to the next successful applicant.

ballot draw

At the completion of the ballot entry period a software program is used to randomly pick a winner from the entries. The winner is then contacted by email advising them they have been successful. Unsuccessful applicants are also notified they did not win the ballot. An invoice is sent for payment of the adoption fee via email and SMS. This fee needs to be paid before any paperwork is sent to the appropriate authorities and the animal collected. There is some required paperwork that needs to be completed depending on the species involved and where the winner lives. All paperwork is sent via email and can be digitally completed.
  • If the animal is a Victorian licensed species and the winner lives in Victoria, then a "Request To Acquire Wildlife From An Unlicensed Source" form will be emailed. Once completed it is forwarded to the Wildlife Licensing department of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). DEECA staff will review the license information provided to ensure the license is valid. They will then issue an approval authorisation. This process can take 2 day to 2 weeks.
  • If the the winner lives outside of Victoria, then an "Animal Adoption" form will be emailed. Homeless Herps will obtain an Export Permit from DEECA. The winner is required to obtain an Import Permit from their relevant state authority (if required) and organise the transport of the animal. These Import/Export permits are required even if the animal is not licensed in Victoria.
  • If the animal is not a licensed species and the winner lives in Victoria, then an "Animal Adoption" form will be emailed.
Animal pick up
Once the adoption fee has been paid and any necessary paperwork has been finalised then it's time for the animal to go to its new home! Please note that if DEECA approval is required this must be obtained prior to the animal being released to its new owner. Homeless Herps will contact the winner to organise a mutually agreed day for the animal to be collected. It is expected that the animal is picked up on the agreed day and failure to do so may result in further boarding fees being charged. All animals are to be collected from Unusual Pet Vets - Peninsula located at 210 Karingal Drive, Frankston, Victoria, 3199. The clinic is open 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sunday. Once the animal is picked up the new owner will receive an adoption certificate detailing the animal's details, including its microchip number if one has been implanted, along with Homeless Herps' permit number for recording in a Wildlife Record book for licensed species.