Florida Keys residents who no longer want their exotic pets may give them to the authorities on Feb. 6.

Local agencies will collect animals so Keys residents do not have to drive to the Miami MetroZoo on March 21 for the sixth annual Pet Amnesty Day, created to keep non-native animals out of Florida's native ecosystems.

The program accepts exotic fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians, including banned species, without penalizing the donor. The program does not accept native pets such as raccoons and box turtles or domestic pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens.

Drop off animals from noon to 2 p.m. at the Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter, 5230 College Road; from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Stand Up for Animals shelters in Big Pine Key at 279 Industrial Road and in Marathon at 10550 Aviation Blvd.; and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier at Mile Marker 93.6.

Donors are encouraged to leave their cages, but volunteers can make other arrangements.

Veterinarians will check the animals, and all healthy ones will be processed for adoption. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission last year collected 148 animals in Miami, all of which were given new homes.

"Many exotic pets seem cool to own at first, but as they grow or show off their wilder side, the pet owner often regrets their decision," said Alison Higgins, land conservation program manager for The Nature Conservancy and chair of the Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force. "It is never a good idea to let your pet loose. They will either fare poorly or live well off of other native species. Neither of these options are beneficial."

For more information, go to online to http://MyFWC.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Nonnative_index.htm. Call Randy Grau at 305-872-0022 about large or unique animals.