The man who runs a small Abbotsford reptile zoo says fear of scaly creatures on the part of potential new landlords and city officials is standing in the way of getting a needed home for some 350 reptiles including snakes, turtles, and iguanas.

Mike Hopcraft, known as The Reptile Guy, says he’s been searching for weeks since he learned his current tenancy was ending, only to find most landlords aren’t prepared to have reptiles on the property.

And in some cases, where landlords have been willing, it’s been local governments who have created zoning rules that make it impossible for him to set up shop, Hopcraft said.

“No matter where we go there’s something stopping us from being somewhere,” he said. “We have a month, maybe two. If we don’t find something in that time, we’re done.”

The Reptile Guy opened his current facility in 2012. It operates as a reptile rescue and charges admission to see the animals, and hosts birthday parties for children.

He says all animals, with the exception of about 70 red slider turtles, are legal pets in B.C. If he can’t find a new home, those animals will have to be adopted. However current rules prohibit anyone from keeping those turtles as pets, so they will have to be euthanized, he said.

He’s not the only facility in B.C. facing problems. Kelowna’s Croc Talk is also pondering a shutdown after standoffs with city officials there.

Veterinarian Dr. Adrian Walton says city officials are cracking down after an African Rock Python killed two boys in New Brunswick.

“Right now there is a culture of fear, especially after the events in New Brunswick,” Walton said.

However he said fears about the legally kept animals at The Reptile Guy are misplaced.

“The vast majority of animals kept by education and rescue facilities are of no risk to the general public,” Walton said.