A small home-based reptile rescue in Tucson has quietly grown into a coast-to-coast operation, providing specialized care for surrendered reptiles while developing innovative educational programs that help people overcome their fears of snakes and other scaled creatures.
Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education stands as the region’s only licensed reptile rescue facility, taking in more than 30 unwanted pets monthly while conducting STEM-based educational presentations for audiences ranging from preschoolers to senior citizens.
The organization’s educational approach incorporates subtle trigger-reduction techniques that have proven particularly effective for audience members with reptile phobias. These methods have also shown success when working with special needs individuals and organizations serving children on the autism spectrum.
“Running a reptile rescue is a never-ending work of love, but the biggest challenge she finds is that there is no outside funding or grants available for reptile rescues and whatever financial needs are not met at the end of the month through adoption fees, surrender fees, and event fees are ultimately paid from her own savings and retirement,” said Cressi Brown, the rescue’s owner and founder.
Schools and organizations throughout Arizona have praised the rescue’s educational programs, which aim to provide every participant with a positive reptile experience. The hands-on presentations have earned recommendations from educators who appreciate the program’s ability to engage diverse audiences while maintaining educational value.
Despite its success in education and rescue operations, the organization faces significant financial hurdles. Unlike rescues for more traditional pets, reptile rescue facilities typically cannot access grants or external funding sources, leaving them dependent on adoption fees, surrender charges, and educational event revenue.
The rescue plans to hold its first fundraising event since opening in 2018, marking a pivotal moment for the organization. Brown expressed excitement about the upcoming event, hoping it will raise both awareness and funds necessary to secure a permanent facility.
“She hopes that with this event that awareness can be raised and funds can begin to come in for the purchase of a permanent facility so that this rescue can continue to grow and care for the underserved population of reptiles in not just Arizona, but across the country,” Brown said.
Regular adoption events help connect rescued reptiles with new families, addressing the steady stream of animals that arrive at the facility each month. The volunteer-run nonprofit, which holds federal 501(c)(3) status, has expanded its reach far beyond southern Arizona despite operating from a residential location.
The rescue’s growth reflects increasing demand for specialized reptile care and education services. As more people acquire reptiles as pets without fully understanding their care requirements, facilities like this fill a critical gap in animal welfare services.
Those interested in supporting the rescue’s mission can contact Cressi Brown at 808-747-6445 or email [email protected] for information about volunteer opportunities, donations, or scheduling educational programs.