About Us
Based in Sedona AZ
Sonoran Reptiles is a IRS recognized 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization (Tax ID 85-0891808) based in Sedona, AZ. We have been operational since November 2019. Sonoran Reptiles is fully licensed for all of our activities by Arizona Game & Fish Department.
After years of working and volunteering for other wildlife sanctuaries and zoos, Brett Smith the founder of Sonoran Reptiles began to take in rescue animals and do educational presentations of his own. He then gathered a team and started Sonoran Reptiles in 2019 after very quickly realizing that there was a need in Northern Arizona for a legitimate non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating the community and to welfare of reptiles and amphibians.
We strive to create a great organization like ones we have worked and volunteered for and apply our conglomerate knowledge and experience to form a great resource for our community and animals in need. Unfortunately in the animal care world and possibly more so with reptiles there are many pseudo non-profits and groups that take advantage of animals for profit and popularity this often leads to neglect of the animals and leaves a bad reputation in the community with animal rescues. At Sonoran reptiles we hope to be a reliable and accountable resource for our community.
Our Goal
Our overall goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, relocate and offer optimal quality of life for captive and injured animals. We strive to educate the public about wildlife and create a community that will take a proactive approach on creating better systems for land development that are less harmful and more aware of our effects on local wildlife. creating a system that caters specifically to how we rehome reptiles similar to the process available in mass for mammals.
Community
We work in close relation with other organizations such as the AZ Game & Fish Department, Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue and the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary. Working with these organizations gives us an upper hand in strategizing on dealing with any issues at hand, positively impacting and serving the community, protecting native wildlife, and having a greater reach in helping reptiles in need of a home.
Services
Education
We offer educational presentations for various community groups, organizations, clubs, church groups, summer camps, schools, visitor centers and more. These presentations offer a positive learning experience with live reptiles that is entertaining and very informative. These presentations are ever growing and changing to provide new ways to educate and provide a better experience. Each educational experience is supervised by a trained handler in a controlled environment in order to protect both the animals and the guests well being.
Reptile Rescue
Here at Sonoran Reptiles we take in, provide sanctuary for, and rehome various species of reptiles and amphibians who are sick, injured or whos owners simply could not care for them any longer.
Events
We also offer a “Zoo to You” service for a fun Birthday party, business party, or event experience. Our “Zoo to You” parties are designed to be informative and fun. We include hands-on time with many of the reptile ambassadors that we bring, and exciting photo opportunities.
We provide a 24 hour reptile relocation service for venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Areas we serve in AZ: Sedona, Cottonwood, Prescott, Clarkdale, Camp Verde, Cornville, Rimrock, Flagstaff, Pine, Payson, Strawberry and other nearby towns.
Get Involved
We accept money donations, food items, and goods such as: feeders, tanks, enclosures, heat and light equipment, and office supplies. We also offer sponsorships for individual animals giving the opportunity to provide food and needed supplies for an animal we shelter. Volunteers are always welcome if over the age of 18. Our volunteers get to help with participating in events, and assisting in presentations along with other community activities.
Meet Our Board Of Directors
Brett Smith – Executive Director
Since he was a little Brett loved animals. Brett grew up watching the crocodile hunter, nature documentaries and catching lizards and bugs in his back yard in the Mojave Desert! As he got older, he spent much of his time working at and volunteering with various wildlife sanctuaries, zoos and conservation groups. Taking every chance, he could to find new groups to be a part of and learn from. After years of working and volunteering for other organizations Brett began to take in rescue animals and do educational presentations of his own. In 2019 decided to start Sonoran Reptiles after very quickly realized that there was a need in Northern Arizona for a legitimate non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating the community and to welfare of reptiles and amphibians. Along with serving on the board of Sonoran Reptiles, Brett is currently working as a Veterinary Technician where he continues to expand his knowledge and experience in animal care.
Peter Moravcsik – Outreach Director
Peter is a lifelong ardent hiker and herper. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and received his BS in Zoology at San Francisco State University in 1990. Peter worked for 30 years in the biomedical industry where He was primarily involved in fabricating medical devices from collagen. He has been keeping reptiles for 40 years, focusing primarily on California and Arizona native animals. Peter also participated in numerous educational presentations under the auspices of the Bay Area Herpetological Society and also worked as a volunteer at the San Francisco Academy of Sciences (Steinhardt Aquarium). He was a docent for the Ranco Del Oso State Park, a unit of Big Basin in Santa Cruz County, where he was on the wilderness patrol and held monthly reptile presentations.
Mark LaPierre – Director
Karen McClelland – Director