An animal control officer rescued a bearded dragon from an abandoned home in Richmond, Virginia.
The official believed the iguana had froze to death or starved to death, WJAR reported.
Richmond Animal Control posted on Facebook that the bearded dragon was “cold, curled up, pancake-like and lifeless on the floor” when it was found.
However, despite the dire situation, the bearded dragon showed signs of life.
“I swear I saw the tiniest movement of his chest and even though I was sure my eyes were deceiving me, I still held out hope,” the officer wrote.
The officer acted quickly and immediately transferred the reptile to the Boulderwood Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. There, the dragon “expanded” and opened its eyes, WJAR reported.
“This guy does not deserve the death penalty because the owner no longer wants him,” the Richmond Animal Control post read.
“If you find yourself in need of help, please contact us and we will do everything we can to prevent this from happening again!”
Animal control officers help protect local wildlife and ensure safe human-animal interactions. They serve as an important bridge between law enforcement and community members when wildlife or lost pets are in danger. Not only does their work support the wellbeing of the whole community, it also protects local biodiversity.
Whether it’s an abandoned pet or a stricken wildlife, animal control can ensure animals are protected. For example, a Virginia police officer helped rescue an owl that got stuck in the grill of a truck. After recovery, the bird is expected to return to the wild and continue to control pest populations, disperse seeds and balance the ecosystem.
Thanks to the efforts of Richmond Animal Control, the bearded dragon was given a second chance and is now living a happy and warm life in a rehabilitation center.
Commenters on the post were happy to see Lizard pull through and applauded the officer’s hard work.
“Thank you for everything and thank you for caring!” one Facebook user responded.
Get TCD’s free newsletter for simple tips to save more, reduce waste and make smarter choices, and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.
