Resident Stories 6 Unique Resident Stories

Why are exotic animals abandoned or surrendered to a sanctuary? Where can you surrender an exotic animal in Quebec when you are no longer able to meet its needs? What happens to an animal once it is welcomed into an animal sanctuary in Quebec? Behind every arrival is a different reality: an animal found outdoors, lack of time, needs that have become too demanding, relocation for its well-being, or even seizure following neglect.

In this blog article, our biologist and Scientific Director of the Terrebonne sanctuary, Roxanne Brunelle, introduces you to six Éducazoo residents: Omer the cockatiel, Bibi the Senegal parrot, Cassiopée the African pygmy hedgehog, Léonardo the red-footed tortoise, Buggles the gargoyle gecko, and Despereaux the sugar glider. Six animals, six journeys, and above all, six opportunities to better understand the responsibilities that come with adopting an exotic animal.

Omer: What happens to a cockatiel found outdoors?

Almost 10 years ago, Omer the cockatiel was found outdoors by a woman who brought him to a nearby pet store in the hope of finding his family. Our team participated in the search for several weeks, but no one came forward. It was impossible to know where Omer came from or how long this lost pet parrot had been outside.

In the meantime, Omer spent his days perched on the shoulders of our team, singing and whistling with us. When the search for his owners was eventually abandoned, what came next seemed fairly obvious: this little cockatiel found in Quebec had already found his place in our family. Omer therefore officially became a resident of the St-Augustin-de-Desmaures sanctuary.

Today, Omer remains joyful, charming, and full of energy. His favourite trick? Spreading his wings as wide as possible, folding them back in, and repeating the performance until he gets the attention he is looking for! This little clown is a great example of why cockatiels are social birds that need interaction, stimulation, and opportunities to express their natural behaviours.

 

Bibi: Why might a parrot be surrendered to a sanctuary?

Loving a parrot means more than providing a large enclosure and an appropriate diet. Bibi, our Senegal parrot, arrived at the Terrebonne sanctuary when her former owners realized they could no longer devote enough time to her. Their daily lives had changed and, despite their attachment to her, her needs remained the same.

Parrots as pets can require an enormous daily commitment. They need social interaction, time outside their enclosure, activities, and enrichment through exploration in order to express species-specific behaviours. Because they are highly intelligent, these moments are essential to their well-being. A chronic lack of stimulation can contribute to boredom, stress, and certain behavioural problems.

In some parrots, these difficulties may include excessive screaming or feather plucking, meaning damage to or removal of the feathers. Today, Bibi enjoys daily outings, toys that are regularly changed, training sessions, and many interactions with our team and with participants during our travelling activities, including parties and school visits. Her story highlights an essential question to ask before adopting a parrot: will I still have several hours to devote to this animal every day in a few years?

 

Cassiopée: Are all animals happy in a sanctuary?

Cassiopée, our African pygmy hedgehog, arrived with her mother Stella, her sister, and her brother after a difficult start in life. All four had been taken in by a woman who removed them from an environment where their living conditions were inadequate. Their enclosures were unsanitary and their health required special attention.

After recovering, the four domestic hedgehogs were entrusted to Éducazoo Terrebonne. Over time, however, our team noticed that each individual reacted differently to the new environment. Cassiopée and Stella enjoyed the stimulation provided by the sanctuary and educational activities, while Cassiopée’s brother and sister were much more sensitive to such a busy daily environment.

The person responsible for the animals therefore evaluated their temperament, meaning the individual differences in the way they respond to their environment. The brother and sister were eventually relocated to families offering a calmer daily routine. Animal welfare does not mean applying the same solution to everyone. At the Éducazoo sanctuary, every interaction, every care decision, and every choice is made with the well-being of the individual animal in front of us in mind. In some cases, the best solution is to relocate the animal to a family. 

 

Léonardo: What does a red-footed tortoise need?

Since arriving at the Éducazoo Terrebonne sanctuary in 2018, Léonardo has discovered a special talent: television appearances! Calm, curious, and always moving at his own pace, our red-footed tortoise seems perfectly comfortable in front of the cameras. He has appeared on several shows, including Les petits tannants, Le safari de Joanie, Salut Bonjour, and more! His arrival with us also highlights an important reality surrounding the adoption of an exotic tortoise.

Léonardo’s former owners entrusted him to us when his enclosure became far too large for their home. A red-footed tortoise can live for several decades and requires space, an appropriate temperature, controlled humidity, a suitable diet, and UVB lighting. The needs of a small tortoise purchased today can therefore become much greater over the years.

UVB rays allow the synthesis of vitamin D3, which is necessary for calcium metabolism and for healthy bones and shell development. Before adopting a tortoise, it is therefore important to ask: how long does a red-footed tortoise live, how large will it become, and will I be able to meet its needs for several decades? Léonardo now fully enjoys his new life and the many encounters that come with it.

 

Buggles: Why do reptiles need an appropriate habitat?

Not all animals taken in by a sanctuary come from family surrenders. Buggles and Takis, two gargoyle geckos, were entrusted to Éducazoo after being seized from a zoological institution that closed following issues involving animal mistreatment and neglect.

Buggles, a resident of the Terrebonne sanctuary, still has a clearly visible scar on the top of her head caused by a burn associated with improper husbandry conditions. For reptiles in captivity, managing heat sources is especially important. Reptiles are ectothermic, which means that their body temperature depends on the temperature of their environment.

An inappropriate or improperly installed heat source can therefore compromise reptile welfare and cause injuries. Buggles’ scar is part of her past, but it does not define her life today. Thanks to the care provided by our Animal Care Specialists and a habitat adapted for a gargoyle gecko, she now lives a comfortable life at the sanctuary.

 

Despereaux: Can a sugar glider live alone?

Sometimes, the reason an animal comes to the sanctuary is not abandonment, a health problem, or a lack of knowledge. For Despereaux the sugar glider, a resident of the Terrebonne sanctuary, it was simply a fundamental need that had become difficult to meet: living with other members of his species.

Despereaux had lived for several years with a female when she passed away. Sugar gliders are social animals that naturally live in groups and maintain close relationships with one another. Sleeping together, communicating, and grooming one another are all part of their daily lives.

His owner knew, however, that simply placing a new individual in his enclosure would not be enough. An introduction between sugar gliders must be carried out gradually because unfamiliar individuals do not necessarily accept one another right away. She therefore chose to entrust Despereaux to Éducazoo so that he would have a better chance of finding conspecifics, the scientific term used to describe individuals belonging to the same species.

 

Why do exotic animals end up in a sanctuary?

Omer was found outdoors. Bibi needed more time and attention. Léonardo’s enclosure had become too large. Buggles was seized following neglect. Despereaux needed to find companions. These stories show why an exotic animal may be surrendered to a sanctuary for many different reasons.

They also show why it is essential to be well informed before adopting an exotic animal. How long will it live? How large will it become? How many hours of attention will it require each day? Will it need to live with conspecifics? What will its needs be in terms of space, diet, veterinary care, and animal enrichment in 5, 10, or even 30 years?

At the Éducazoo animal sanctuary, welcoming an animal does not automatically mean keeping it with us forever. Our animal care team observes its behaviour, health, adaptation, and needs in order to determine what truly supports its quality of life. As the story of Cassiopée and her siblings shows, responsible relocation can sometimes be the best decision for the animal.

These stories of Éducazoo sanctuary residents ultimately give additional meaning to their journeys. Omer, Bibi, Cassiopée, Léonardo, Buggles, and Despereaux now help us educate the public about the true needs of animals and the importance of responsible exotic pet adoption. Because a second chance can also become an opportunity to prevent another animal from experiencing a similar journey.