Lacoste, the much-loved American alligator at Get to Know Animals CIC (GTKA), didn’t have the best start in life.
She was bought as a pet and kept in a fish tank with just two inches of water - nowhere near enough for a growing alligator.
When she began to outgrow her tank, her owner handed her over to a pet shop, who then reached out to Get to Know Animals for help.
The GTKA team stepped in and an enclosure was custom-built just for Lacoste.
It was in her new enclosure here that she experienced her first proper swim - an unforgettable moment for everyone.
She tentatively raised one leg, then the other, and soon was zooming up and down in the water, revelling in the freedom she’d never known before.
Lacoste’s early hardships left her with a slightly stunted snout, but it hasn’t slowed her down one bit.
She’s a record-breaker: by age six, she’d reached a size most alligators don’t achieve until they’re 10–15 years old - a growth rate usually only seen in wild alligators.
The team were amazed, and it meant planning her enclosure extension years ahead of schedule!
Over the years, Lacoste has become something of a local celebrity at GTKA.
She absolutely loves playing football with her ball and enjoys the finer things in life, including fresh fish from the fishmonger and meat from the butcher - lambs liver and mackerel are her absolute favourites!
Thanks to the support of the community, Lacoste has gone from a cramped fish tank to a thriving, healthy alligator with a zest for life.
Now, as she continues to grow, we need to support her transformation by extending her home.
The planned upgrade will give her a much larger heated pool, extra land for basking, and top-notch filtration - ensuring her welfare and happiness for years to come.
As a self-funded sanctuary, every donation truly makes a difference.
If you’d like to help Lacoste’s dream home become a reality, please scan the QR code or visit our GoFundMe page at: gofund.me/df248a8b8 . Sharing our campaign or visiting Lacoste at GTKA is just as valuable too!
With your help, we can show that - with the right care and love—even animals from the toughest beginnings can thrive. Thank you for your support, without you, there is no us.
- Donna Rose is the founder of exotic animal sanctuary Get to Know Animals (gtka.co.uk).
