KERNERSVILLE- If you ask North Carolina state officials what Chad Griffin's job title is, they'd say herpetologist, but he'd give himself a different label.
"Reptile expert, reptile nut, reptile lover,” said Griffin with a smile.
He runs CCSB Reptile Rescue and helps law enforcement with animal calls around the state. His family ran the operation out of their home until recently.
"Wasn't zoned for us to be able to do what we were doing to help the public, taking seizures, doing medical cases and this other stuff,” explained Griffin.
So, the Griffin family opened their own Reptile Center. Where they can rehabilitate and put animals up for adoption as well as educate people on reptiles. Visitor, Craig Tilley was impressed with the set up.
"It's a nice little facility here,” said Tilley. “They've got good animals here. I like what they're doing with the rescue and rehabilitation."
It's free to walk in, but donations and money to take photos with demon the crocodile will go right back to helping the reptiles.
"It's a little bit of everything,” explained Griffin. “It’s not a full zoo, but it’s an interactive center. It’s an educational center, that's what we wanted."
The Griffins not only provide their services locally, but travel around the state educating people of all ages and agencies.
Griffin hopes the center will not only educate people and find homes for some of the animals, but, inspire the next generation of reptile lovers.
"If we don't teach the next generation,” explained Griffin. “The next generation doesn't have an understanding of why these animals are put here so they can pass it down the line."