Adopting from CoRHS
As of 23 September 2024, all adoptions for Tortoises and Box Turtles are closed for the season. These animals, where appropriate to the species, are going into hibernation. We encourage interested adopters to review minimum habitat requirements, design an appropriate outdoor pen, and submit an adoption application for adoption in the next year. In this way, you will be approved and ready to adopt as soon as animals emerge from hibernation, ~mid-May 2025.
Colorado Reptile
Humane Society's Adoption Process is designed to match homeless animals with
motivated owners who can provide what the animal needs. We work with you to meet
(and hopefully exceed!) the basic requirements of a reptile or amphibian so you
can be successful with your new pet.
What do we mean by successful?
- A healthy reptile in a low-stress environment
- Nutritious food, appropriate heat and lighting for your reptile
- Adopter satisfaction with a thriving pet
You don't need reptile
experience to adopt from CoRHS... just some basic knowledge and motivation to
learn and provide for the species you want to adopt!
The following steps
will help you decide whether to adopt an animal from CoRHS: 1. Review the minimum
Housing Requirements for the animal you wish to adopt. If you can meet
or exceed the housing requirements, you're on your way to a new pet!
2. Read the
care guide for the animal you wish to adopt. This link is found on each
animal's page. Note housing requirements, diet, heating, and lighting for the
animal you wish to adopt.
3. Honestly consider if you the time,
motivation, and monetary resources for- veterinary care
- large enough habitat
- food
- increased energy bill
- specialized lighting and other equipment
For
example, if you only have 1 hour per week, you may not have enough time to keep
a large iguana socialized. If you only have space for a 40 gallon aquarium, a
box turtle won't have a good life. If UVB lighting is too expensive, a reptile
pet may not be the right choice for you.
CoRHS Adoption Counselors
can help you make appropriate pet choices based on your time, space, and
resources -- please let us know your questions! If a reptile pet is not for
you, consider Sponsoring a homeless CoRHS animal.
4. Once you have
determined you can meet the needs of the animal you wish to adopt, please fill
out an adoption application and pay the non-
refundable application fee. For approved adopters, the application fee is
applied toward the adoption fee. (The non-refundable application fee is to
encourage only applicants who can meet the animal's needs.)
5. When
your application and fee are submitted, you will receive an email
acknowledgment (either from info@corhs or adoption@corhs). Please check your spam/trash folders for emails. Since CoRHS is an all-volunteer organization, it may take up
to a week before an adoption counselor starts the process. Please be patient --
a reptile pet is a serious commitment that should not be rushed. The entire
process takes 2-4 weeks.
6. Your Adoption Counselor will review
your application, ask questions about
the species you wish to adopt, and
help you choose appropriate housing and equipment that meets minimum
requirements. As a final step, you'll be asked to send photos of your completed
habitat. (Please do not send photos with your application.)
7. CoRHS
Adoption Counselors do not approve applicants who cannot meet our minimum housing
and other standards -- so please review this and general care
BEFORE you submit your adoption application.
8. Reptiles adopted from
CoRHS are intended to be kept as family pets.
9. You must be 18 years
old or older to adopt from CoRHS. If you are younger than 18, please have your
parent or guardian fill out the application.
