Looking for a new home!

Reptile shelter in need: lack of space at 30 degrees

"For the good of the animals, we are hoping for a speedy relocation", Judith Kastenmeier with iguana Isidor.(Bild: Klemens Groh)

For 32 years, the Haus des Meeres in Vienna has also been home to the exotic animal care center and the animal shelter of the Blauer Kreis association. Now the bearded dragons, leopard geckos, iguanas and other animals are facing an urgently needed move. But the big question is: where to? 

In a 55 square meter, stuffy and humid room on the sixth floor of the Haus des Meeres, Judith Kastenmeier looks after reptiles that have been abandoned, given away by their owners, rescued from inappropriate husbandry or confiscated by customs. She looks after the animals on her own, 365 days a year: "I don't take sick leave. I'm always available on my cell phone and can even drive to the vet at midnight."

Around 60 exotic animals, such as snakes, amphibians and spiders, have found a new home at the animal shelter, some as permanent residents, others are given a new home after medical care or are moved to the in-house showrooms.

Heart massage for the chameleon in the toilet
Judith has her own "Christmas miracle" every day: it is around 58 centimetres tall, has large dark eyes, shimmering green skin and is a pearl lizard. "It weighed three grams and was dying. Left behind in a bag hanging on a door handle. Nobody believed that I would manage to bring her through. But she wanted to, I wanted to and so today she is well and now eight years old."

There have always been special cases in the exotic animal expert's eleven years of work: "I've already taken a chameleon to the toilet with me because I couldn't stop the heart massage."

Chronic lack of space in the care ward
Under the poor spatial conditions, at a room temperature of 30 degrees, without sufficient ventilation or daylight, the daily performance of the animal keeper is admirable. "An employee like Judith is a special gift - for the animals and our association. There is an enormous lack of space in the reptile home. We have to move! Haus des Meeres is supporting us in this step. We have been part of the Flakturm for 32 years," says Evelyn Kolar, head of the Blauer Kreis association's care center.

Due to the extreme increase in the number of rescued reptiles, we urgently need to relocate. We are looking for premises on the first floor or a business premises in Vienna or on the outskirts from 120 square meters upwards - 200 would be particularly nice. There would be room for all the terrariums. Our animals need peace and quiet and behave quietly themselves.

Evelyn Kolar, Blauer Kreis, Leiterin Reptilien-Tierheim

Not all lizards are as relaxed as Mädi when she visits the "Krone".(Bild: Klemens Groh)

We are looking for:

• Premises, warehouse, business premises incl. sanitary facilities -
  120 to 200 square meters in size
• in Vienna & surrounding area for keeping reptiles (this is noise- and odor-free!)

Do you have the right property for the animal shelter? Telephone number: 0664 1217427 or via
e-mail: [e-mail]

Since it was founded in 1959, the Blauer Kreis association has worked tirelessly to protect animals and species. This special commitment was also recognized in 2023 with the "Tierisch engagiert" award.

Private keeping of sensitive animals is costly
Evelyn Kolar advises anyone who wants to get a reptile as a pet to "buy a book first, get detailed information in advance and attend the Exoten-Kunde courses in Vienna." Many people buy an animal without considering how old it will be and how expensive it is to keep.

Not only is a sufficiently large terrarium usually necessary, but technical know-how is also required to ensure the right climate and light in the enclosure, as well as good knowledge of the correct feeding. In addition, the associated costs are often underestimated.