Aquatic Animal Welfare & Mutual Aid
Koi Rescue & Shelter, Rehoming and Mutual Aid Network
For our finned friends, the Institute provides a place of peace, love, and responsible rehoming.
We offer free surrender for koi and other aquatic pets, coordinate rehoming, and lead a nationwide mutual aid partnership to protect animals and ecosystems. Located in Lake Wales, Florida, we serve our community and partners across the country.
What We Do
The Aquatic Animal Welfare & Mutual Aid Branch is the leading organization dedicated to the rescue, shelter, and welfare of non-native ornamental and exotic aquatic animals in the Southeastern United States. Guided by the All Hazards, One Health, One Nature (AHOHN) Framework, we also coordinate a national freshwater aquatic rescue mutual aid network.
Our Aquatic Animal Rescue & Shelter provides a haven for koi and other exotic freshwater pond fish. We believe every animal deserves a chance at a healthy life, which is why we accept surrendered fish for free. We offer responsible alternatives to releasing pets into the wild, a practice that harms both the animals and our natural waterways.
Operating from the tranquil Tiger Creek Forest, our dedicated team provides expert care. We also lead a nationwide network of partners, working together to coordinate transport and placement for aquatic animals in need. Saving our finned friends, one rescue at a time.
Impact
Since 2022, we have sheltered over 300 koi and non-native exotic aquatic animals, preventing damage to regional ecosystems and rehoming beloved pets.
Why Responsible Rehoming Matters
Releasing a pet koi into a local pond or stream might seem harmless, but pet dumping creates a preventable man-made disaster. As a non-native invasive species, koi can cause significant damage to delicate aquatic habitats.
Protecting Ecosystems: In natural waterways, koi disrupt the food chain and can destroy native vegetation, harming local fish and wildlife.
Preventing Pond Crashes: In unfiltered man-made lakes, such as those on golf courses, koi outcompete native fish for food. This imbalance often leads to a pond crash where the ecosystem collapses and all the fish die.
Humane Solutions: Our rescue and rehoming efforts provide a humane alternative that protects both the fish and our shared environment. Education and community partnerships are key to preventing these harmful releases.
Request a rescue:
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Our Shelter and Expansion
To better serve our mission, we are building a highly energy-efficient, ultimately carbon-negative shelter expansion. This state-of-the-art facility will provide a thriving environment for our finned friends. Not just an addition, this project is a commitment to sustainable animal care.
When completed, the expansion will feature:
- 65,000+ gallon main shelter pond with multiple hiding areas and varied depths
- An advanced aquaponic system with plant-based bog filtration
- Solar power to circulate and filter the water, with stored renewable energy for nighttime operations
Show detailed description of the Site Plan
This architectural site development plan shows a comprehensive layout of a sustainable shelter facility. The plan includes:
- A main building in the center with attached patio areas
- A large kidney-shaped pond with blue water feature containing multiple circular filtration elements
- An integrated aquaponic system with plant-based bog filtration areas surrounding the pond
- A garage structure on the left side with a parking area
- Multiple landscaped planting zones with green vegetation indicated around the perimeter
- Vegetable garden area at the bottom right
- Solar panels on the roof (indicated by yellow symbols)
- Various pathways and circulation routes throughout the site
- Scale indicated as 1"=20'-0" with dimensional measurements along the edges
- North arrow and site address: 4800 Ben Hill Trail, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Aquatic Pet Welfare Partnership
A single organization can only do so much. That is why we created the Aquatic Pet Welfare Partnership, an association of aquatic pet rescues, shelters, and clubs across the United States.
Together, we share resources, coordinate emergency response efforts, and expand our collective capacity for rehoming. Our partnership operates on a foundation of mutual aid. By joining, organizations become part of a resilient network dedicated to saving our finned friends and preserving our waterways. Partners sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which outlines how we support each other with our individual capabilities during disasters or large-scale rescues. To further strengthen national disaster readiness, we encourage our partners to join respected coalitions like National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3).
Ready to Help Our Finned Friends?
Whether you need to surrender a pet or wish to join our mission, your support creates a ripple effect of positive change for animals and the environment.
Get in touch
Whether you are seeking to prepare, collaborate, or learn more about our AHOHN approach, we would love to hear from you.
Fields marked with asterisk (*) are mandatory.