Between the cats, dogs and sad-looking rabbits are the snakes, skinks, turtles, lizards, rats, wild birds and reptiles of all kinds. Even geckos.

Who knew that the South Coast harboured a vet specialising in reptiles?

Well, one person who did was the representative for the wildlife rescue group WIRES, Jamberoo-based Hugh Marriott.

For the endless roll call of snakes and reptiles damaged by cars or rescued from neighbourhood backyards, he has relied for years on the services of Kiama Downs Veterinary Clinic’s Dr Amanda Brett.

Whether he’s carrying a blue-tongue lizard hit by a passing car or an escaped pet Centralian python that people have found in their back shed, Hugh makes the trek to Kiama Downs several times a month.

While your stricken cat or ailing dog won’t be turned away, the clinic particularly specialises in exotic wildlife on Mondays and Fridays each week.

Dr Amanda has a lifelong passion for reptiles, including her pet Cunningham’s skink, affectionately known as Pretzel. Their personalities are a subject of eternal fascination.

“Pretzel is a really friendly lizard,” she says. “He has really soulful eyes. He loves cuddles.”

Hugh is particularly fond of blue-tongue lizards, which are breeding at this time of year and a common visitor to his cages in Jamberoo, where injured wildlife can spend months before being released back into the wild.

“They have a personality, most definitely,” he says. “They are amazing, really curious critters. And placid.

“They are normally chill. They are outstanding Illawarra residents. They take out snails, like strawberries and eat mice. They are an all-round addition to your garden.

“We are getting lots of baby blue-tongues at the moment. They are born alive and are independent at birth.”

For Amanda and Hugh, their fascination with reptiles began early in life.

“I have always liked the weird and wonderful,” Amanda says. “I grew up around the Australian bush. I was catching lizards and snakes when I was young. My grandparents had a farm on Cambewarra Mountain.

“We are lucky in Australia - we have such a variety of really interesting creatures, and they deserve to be preserved.”

She says many of her customers bringing in reptiles became acquainted with them because of their children.

“One of the major things I have learnt is that when people first decide to get lizards as pets, usually for their kids, they then absolutely fall in love with them,” she says. “The lizards like to sit and watch TV; they want to be part of the family.

“They will tap on the glass to be let out. They want to be out there with you.

“We grow up fearing reptiles; we are taught snakes are scary, but if you take the time to get to know them it will change the way you feel. They have wonderful personalities and make great pets.”

Hugh agrees. “The main thing to remember is reptiles are not out to get you.”

That said, if you find an unwelcome visitor in your backyard, he advises to steer clear and ring WIRES.

Most lizards can be cheerfully left to their own devices. But if you really have a blue-tongue you want rid of, give them a call. Don’t kill them.

Snakes, too, are active at this time of year.

“As we move into the cooler weather snakes are looking around for somewhere to spend the winter, and building up on food.”

While diamond pythons, native to the Illawarra, are not venomous, others can be deadly or make you very sick. Of particular concern are red-bellied black snakes, which can be lethal.

But there are others to be avoided, including golden-crowned snakes and small-eyed snakes.

To contact Hugh directly, phone 0401 394 444. Known as the Snake Catcher of Jamberoo, he is also the reptile coordinator for WIRES for the Illawarra. For any other wildlife rescue, ring WIRES on 1300 094 737.