In general, the National Aquarium in Baltimore does not accept animal donations.
We appreciate your thinking of us in finding your pet a new home. However, we simply do not have enough suitable exhibit or quarantine space for the number of animals we are offered.
Finding a Home for the Animal
In finding your animal or pet a new home, we recommend contacting the following:
- A reputable pet store. They may be willing to resell the animal or allow you to post a “for-sale” notice in their store.
- A local animal society. These are easily found by searching the Internet or by looking in your local phonebook.
- An animal rescue or shelter. Some shelters are specific to certain types of animals.
Releasing an Animal to the Wild
Never release an animal that has been in your home or any kind of captivity back to the wild.
Many exotic animals are not adapted to local climates and will not survive. Even native species should not be released after they have been captive for a period of time.
The animal's survival is unlikely and any released animals could spread diseases to local populations.
Choosing a Pet
Being a responsible pet owner requires that you carefully research your potential pet’s needs prior to purchasing it. Questions to ask before becoming a pet owner include:
- How big will the animal become?
- How long will the animal live?
- Can I provide enough food and space for the animal?
- Do I have the appropriate permits to own, breed, or sell this animal?
- Do I know enough about this animal’s behavior?
- Could this animal pose a risk to my health and/or safety, or the health and safety of family, friends, and neighbors?
- Is it possible to obtain a captive-bred or rescued animal rather than a wild-caught animal?
- Do I have enough time to properly care for this animal?
