Out of House and Home: Stories of Adoption & Abandonment
By Amanda Keuler
Exotic pet owners are just as unique as their animals. Each person has their own story. Listen to the story about a girl, her pet monkey and the realities of owning an exotic animal in a home.
Featured in this story: JohnieSue Thurman, founder of the Haven Zoo, which takes in displaced exotic animals including large cats, birds and sloths. Thurman has worked with exotic animals in the Atlanta area for over 14 years, caring for various species.
Exotic Pet Gallery
Noah’s Ark is home to many animals that are abandoned or surrendered exotic pets.
Noah’s Ark Entrance
Noah's Ark takes in unwanted, abandoned and surrendered animals of all different species. Photo by Amanda Keuler
Shawn Shawn – Gibbon Siamang Hybrid
Shawn Shawn was an accidental hybrid born in a research lab. The lab did not want her because she was a hybrid. Photo by Amanda Keuler
Gonga – Java Macaque
Gonga was surrendered by her owner in 2005. She lived in a home as a pet for two years but the owner could no longer control the wild and aggressive monkey. Photo by Amanda Keuler
Baby – Brown Lemur
Baby's owner held her as a pet legally but passed away in 2006. The owner's children did not want Baby and the mess and smell that came with the lemur. Photo by Amanda Keuler
Tootsie – Patagonian Cavy
Tootsie was part of a breeder/petting zoo business. When the business closed, she came to live at Noah's Ark. Photo by Amanda Keuler
Grace – Wolf Dog Hybrid
Grace is a wolf dog hybrid which are illegal to own in Georgia. Grace's story is a bit unknown. She was found wondering near a neighborhood, underweight and covered in ticks and fleas. Photo by Amanda Keuler