Need to surrender an axolotl?
We can help.

Start a surrender request and our intake team will respond within 2-4 business days.
If this is an emergency, follow the urgent guidance below.

Start Surrender Request

NEED URGENT HELP? READ OUR EMERGENCY GUIDANCE BELOW

EMERGENCY GUIDANCE

If your axolotl is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, indicate “Urgent” on the surrender form and contact an exotic veterinarian now. We will do our best to prioritize urgent requests.

Immediate stabilizing steps

  • Isolate your axolotl in a clean tub, or remove any tank mates from a shared aquarium.

  • Keep water temperature stable between 60–66°F; avoid rapid changes.

  • Maintain low light and minimal handling.

  • Take clear photos of axolotl’s appearance and tank setup; have any recent vet notes ready.

If you cannot reach a vet

Indicate on your form that this is Urgent and include clear symptoms and photos; our intake team will triage and advise next steps.

Please keep in mind that we are a volunteer organization and our guidance is not a substitute for proper exotic vet care. If your axolotl is in crisis, it is imperative to contact your nearest exotic vet as soon as possible.

Intake process and timelines

Step 1: Submit
Complete the surrender form. The form supports photo uploads, but does not autosave so plan to complete it in a single sitting.

Step 2: Intake review
Our team reviews requests and routes them to the appropriate fosters or medical partners based on location and need.

Step 3: Outcome
You’ll receive one of three outcomes: Approved, Conditional, or Declined. Notifications are sent by email within 2-4 business days; urgent flags get priority.

  • If approved
    We’ll propose handoff options (owner drop-off, volunteer pickup, or transfer to a partner). We’ll schedule dates and share transport instructions.

  • If conditional
    We may request temporary foster, vet exam, or additional documentation before scheduling transfer.

  • If declined
    We’ll explain why and share rehoming recommendations.

Surrender eligibility and reasons we may decline

Eligibility snapshot
We consider: health status, age, geographic location, and resource availability for care.

Common eligibility issues

  • Animal is located outside our main geographic service area (New England) and no qualified foster or other partner is available

  • Animal is located in a state where axolotl ownership is illegal and/or a state where permits are required (and owner does not have permit)

Reasons for decline

  • The animal is not in immediate need and/or the owner can rehome safely with support

  • Intake capacity is full and temporary boarding is unavailable

  • The axolotl is geographically removed from our team and is too sick to ship safely

If declined we’ll still help
We provide a rehoming checklist and guidance to help the owner find an appropriate home for their axolotl.

What we need from you: be ready with all the information necessary for us to make a quick, informed decision…

Why details matter
Providing accurate information speeds triage and increases the chance we can help.

Required items before you submit

  • At least 2 recent photos of the axolotl (close-up and full-body)

  • A photo of the current tank setup (filter, fan or chiller, substrate and decor)

  • Your contact information and best times to reach you

  • Brief medical and behavioral history (appetite, lethargy, wounds)

  • Reason for surrender and how long you’ve owned the axolotl

  • Water parameters (temperature, pH, ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, GH and KH)

Optional but very helpful

  • Recent vet records or photos of vet receipts

  • Adoption or purchase proof (organization name, receipt, adoption ID, breeder contact)

And remember…

The decision to surrender an axolotl can be a difficult one—and it isn’t right for everyone. At our rescue, we spend countless hours working with axolotl owners to help them stay up-to-date on the latest in proper husbandry, to troubleshoot health and habitat issues, and under the appropriate circumstances to take in surrenders.

If you’re considering surrendering your axolotl, consider this…

We can help you fill in the gaps in your care knowledge to help make you a better axolotl parent.

Living happily ever after with your axolotl may still be possible. Before you surrender, consider sending our team a message on Facebook and we can help walk you through ways to optimize your setup for your axolotl(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Completing an Axolotl Surrender Request form does not guarantee that we will be able to take on your axolotl(s). Intake decisions are made by the Board of Directors and are based on available resources, complexity of each individual case, geographic location, and other important factors. If you have questions about our intake process or the status of your Surrender Request, please reach out to our team via Facebook Messenger.

IMPORTANT UPDATES TO OUR SURRENDER POLICY: As of May 4, 2025 Libertyland Axolotl Rescue will only accept surrenders of axolotls larger than 4” in length or older than 6 months of age.