Wigan pet shop seeks owners of bearded dragon Spike

The lizard going by the name of Spike was taken into Appleton Exotics in Scholes more than a month ago.

He was only meant to stay in the store for a week while the owners went on holiday but the shop say they still haven’t come to collect him.

The creature, who is a full sand fire lizard, is not yet fully grown and around one year old.

It gets its “bearded dragon” name as a reference to the “beard” of the dragon, the underside of the throat, which can turn black for reasons including stress.

Vikki Tarbuck, who works in the shop, said it was growing concerned for the health and whereabouts of the owner and the future of the lizard.

She said: ”Spike is a bearded dragon that was brought in for a week’s holiday on February 20, and the owners were supposed to come and pick him up on the 28th.

“We didn’t realise until the other day, with everything that’s been going on with the coronavirus, that he hadn’t been collected.

“The owners are a man in his 40s and his wife who we believe have gone on holiday to Turkey as the owner of the pet shop knows them.

“We’re worried for their health and whereabouts with everything that’s going on with the coronavirus, and the fate of the dragon if they don’t return for him.”

The pet shop provides a wide range of exotic pets which include lizards, snakes and a crocodile, while it offers pet supplies, sundries, accessories and full holiday boarding.

Ms Tarbuck, 28, said: “We get a lot of exotic creatures but it’s unusual for a beardy like this to be left without warning.

“We’re obviously having to feed him at the moment which costs £5 a day so the owners are running up a bill.

“We’ve had a lot of people coming forward to claim him also.

“But the most important thing is we find them and the owners come forward and get Spike.”

If you have any information that can help the shop trace the owners, contact them on 01942 824385 or message their Facebook page.

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