Pet Bearded Dragon Found Abandoned in a Box Near Dumpster in Grand Junction Area

Having a pet is a big commitment and, unfortunately, sometimes that commitment proves to be too great for a pet owner to handle.

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We see this happen fairly often with pets like dogs and cats being abandoned, but a recent case of a pet being abandoned in Grand Junction, Colorado, involves a much more exotic type of animal.

Bearded Dragon Abandoned Near Grand Junction, Colorado

As far as pet reptiles go, one of the most, if not the most, friendly pet reptiles that bonds the best with humans is the bearded dragon.

Unfortunately, someone who had previously adopted one of these reptiles as a pet apparently wasn’t prepared for the responsibility and left their bearded dragon in a box near a dumpster in Clifton, Colorado, on January 22, 2026.

The reptile was discovered in the box near Mesa Avenue and 32 1/8 Road by someone who lived nearby, and after taking the animal into their home, it was given water, and Animal Control was called.

Bearded Dragon Rescued Near Grand Junction, Colorado

After calling about the bearded dragon that they’d taken into their home to warm up, an Animal Control Officer with the last name Webb arrived at the residence to take the animal in.

The bearded dragon is currently in good shape and is being cared for at local Grand Junction pet store J&M Aquatics until it fully recovers and the shop decides that it is healthy enough to be adopted again.

Read More: LOOK: 17 of the Best Places to Buy an Exotic Pet in Colorado

Check out the full story from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office here.