All things scaly and slithering were on display at the St. Albert Enjoy Centre on Saturday. The Edmonton Reptile Expo is put on each year by the Herptile Rescue and Education Foundation (HREF), and organizers say it sheds into a bigger and better event each year since its start in 1994. “We’re actually at the point where we’re kind of outgrowing this (venue) and need to find something a little bit bigger,” Mikayla Chevrier told CTV News Edmonton. The expo was a family-friendly event meant to introduce the general public to reptiles and amphibians – some, like HREF boa ambassador Yoshi, you could actually touch – but it was also a one-stop shop for enthusiasts looking to buy their own pets the supplies they need. All proceeds went to fund the HREF’s rescue group. “We take animals that aren’t from good homes or taken by animal care and control, and we make sure that they get the proper veterinary care,” Chevrier explained. The Enjoy Centre was packed with those who were dedicated to ensuring proper care, like bearded dragon owner Leanne Jiwan. “I would love to see more education. People think reptiles are throwaway pets. One of my rescues was found in a dumpster in December,” she said. “Some of them live long lives … I think having these expos is something that we really need to have more of.” She was at the event helping prepare her granddaughters for the care that goes into a pet snake. “It’s not hard to take care of these animals in a loving way.” The Edmonton Reptile Expo runs all weekend. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch
