Name A Cockroach After Your Ex: Jonathan’s Reptiles hosts unique fundraiser

Jonathan’s Reptiles is hosting their highly anticipated sixth annual Name A Cockroach After Your Ex Fundraiser. Contributors can make a donation to name a cockroach after an ex or anyone they don’t agree with, and have it fed to a variety of lizards, bearded dragons, tarantulas and snakes. The feeding will be streamed live on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. on the Jonathan’s Reptiles social media accounts, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Everyone seems to love it. It’s funny, it’s amusing, it supports a good cause,” Jonathan’s Reptiles Executive Director Jonathan Campbell said. “It’s always been a very supportive fundraiser.”

This year’s event will be hosted by the Mat-Su Animal Shelter and the cockroaches will be provided by Alaska Feeder Farm. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards a veterinary scholarship to benefit a local student with a specific interest in herpetology and an intent on staying in Alaska.

“There’s definitely a need for more veterinarians and vet techs in Alaska, specifically regarding herps (reptiles and amphibians)... and our more exotic friends,” Campbell said.

Participants are welcome to attend in-person to feed their cockroaches at the Mat-Su Animal Shelter. Rats have been named and fed to snakes in previous years, and can be available upon request Campbell said. Donations can be made over the phone, on Jonathan’s Reptiles website or their Facebook page. The fundraising goal this year is $1,000, with the previous record being $500.

“The larger the donation, the larger and the juicer the cockroach,” Campbell said.

Proof of donation will be required and cockroach names will need to be sent to Jonathan’s Reptiles. A reminder will be sent out to contributors the day of the event to remind them to tune in live.

Jonathan’s Reptiles was established in 2016 to address the needs for exotic pet owners in Alaska. They tailor to all reptiles, invertebrates and some amphibians. Jonatan’s Reptiles currently provides education, enclosure and supply sales, turtle and tortoise beak and nail trimming, emergency preparedness kits and connections to various exotic pet resources. They have some animals that are currently being rehabilitated and others that are up for adoption.

Campbell said that it can be difficult for reptile owners in Alaska to see a specialized veterinarian and know the proper care their pets need. Events like this one help to spread awareness for proper reptile husbandry.

“There are a surprising number of reptile keepers here in Alaska,” Campbell said. “It’s really important to have the resources, supplies and knowledge to be able to take care of them properly. They’re definitely a niche animal and they rely very heavily on proper husbandry.”

Jonathan’s Reptiles will be at the All Alaska Reptile and Exotics Expo in Anchorage on April 26 and Scale Fest in Fairbanks on April 19.