A MUM fascinated by lizards has launched a booming Erewash rescue shelter for the creatures – amid a surge in people buying the reptiles as pets only to dump them.
Barbora Fox, 31, also nurses ones that are sick and injured at the sanctuary she runs with her 35-year-old partner Martin Metlicka.
The couple have expanded their rescue mission to snakes and even stick insects after moving to bigger premises earlier this year when the sheer number of animals needing care outgrew the home they share with their seven-year-old son.
They currently have more than 50 – and successfully applied to Erewash Borough Council for a Fast Funding community grant to back their crusade to save as many unwanted pets as they can.
Barbora, who rehomes them with carefully vetted new owners, told how her interest in reptiles began six years ago when she acquired a single Yemen chameleon. She said: “Not long afterwards I wanted another reptile and adopted one with health issues. I became fascinated by them and spent hours every day researching and learning about their care.”
Barbora and her partner had to devote an entire room of their house to rescued lizards as word of mouth spread via the internet about the couple taking in the pets.
Their refuge’s new premises are in Long Eaton’s Derby Road. Barbora’s community enterprise company – HF Animal Rescue Center – qualified for a council Fast Funding grant because it is not for profit. Its initials stand for the couple’s son Hugo Fox. Barbora, who is six months pregnant and expecting a daughter, said: “Once she arrives, HF will represent the first letters of both our precious children.” The mum is a lifelong animal lover. She said: “We do not only care for reptiles. We also have several rescue cats at home, each with their own often sad story. Many of them stole our hearts, and we decided to keep a few permanently.
“Our cats have access to a large secure ‘catio’ that covers much of our garden, allowing them to enjoy plenty of outdoor space while remaining safe. Helping animals has always been something I felt passionate about. In the past, I owned a horse that nobody wanted.”
Dozens of geckos are among the reptiles at her centre. They include five Madagascar giant day geckos. A baby bearded dragon is also being looked after. Barbora said: “Some animals are ready to be rehomed, some require further rehabilitation, and some will remain with us permanently due to ongoing health or welfare needs.”
One of the saddest rescues was of six bearded dragons that were being advertised online. Barbora said: “From the photographs alone, I could see they were not healthy. Five of the six dragons were housed together, including four males. Bearded dragons are highly territorial and should never be housed together.
“The owner was unwilling to surrender them, so we had to purchase the animals. We travelled 120 miles and when we arrived, the reality was even worse than expected. The dragons were living in an unsuitable enclosure without proper heating or lighting. They were severely underweight, suffering from mouth rot, and other health issues.”
Most were eventually rehoused after being restored to health but one suffered permanent liver damage and another was diagnosed with an inoperable facial tumour that had been ignored.
Barbora said: “Another case involved ten baby bearded dragons whose owner contacted us to say they were fighting and had sustained injuries. The owner could not afford treatment.
“When we collected them, we found severe injuries including open wounds, bitten tails, missing toes, damaged feet and, in some cases, missing limbs. Thankfully, we were able to save every one and find them loving homes.”
She described herself as “incredibly grateful for the council’s support and recognition of our work”. Barbora said of the £1,500 Fast Funding grant: “We would like to thank Erewash Borough Council. The funding will make a significant difference to the animals in our care and help us continue providing rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming services for animals in need.”
Information on how other good causes, volunteer groups and community initiatives can apply for financial support from the council can be found at: Community Grants 2026-27 | Erewash Borough Council. Erewash’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett – who is Lead Member for Community Engagement – said: “Barbora’s tireless work saving reptiles highlights how people should think carefully about buying them as pets. Our grants to organisations such as hers are being fuelled by the authority’s £6.5million Erewash Investment Fund – which is money that the council is ploughing into boosting the borough in all kinds of ways.”
