Advancing Health, Ethics, and Awareness in Reptile Care
Reptile Wellness Alliance – Vision Statement
The Reptile Wellness Alliance is a grassroots movement founded by Albert Bitton, born from personal experience, deep research, and a strong commitment to reptile well being.After discovering Nidovirus in his collection and going through the painful process of testing, loss, and hard truths, Albert chose not to stay silent. He committed fully to the process, testing every animal, implementing strict quarantine protocols, and doing everything possible to stop the spread. Through that commitment, he overcame Nidovirus in his collection, a journey that brought both hope and responsibility. Out of that experience, he began building a network of breeders and keepers who care deeply about the health of their animals and the integrity of the reptile community.
The core team behind the Reptile Wellness Alliance includes a powerful blend of breeders, scientists, and a veterinarian who share this vision for a healthier reptile-keeping future:
Dr. Jurgen Wuyts, ProHerper – breeder and lifelong herpetology expert
Robert Mosebach, veterinarian with Laboklin and reptile pathology specialist
Dr. rer. nat. Andy Beier, Saltarin Serpentines – molecular biologist and breeder
Mathias Østeraa Gundestrup, Red Beard Exotics – ethical breeder and wellness advocate
The Alliance exists to raise awareness, provide practical tools, and shift the culture of reptile keeping toward one rooted in transparency, education, and prevention.
At the core of our mission is the development of a knowledge base that covers:
Viruses like Nidovirus and other pathogens
Quarantine and biosecurity protocols
Testing strategies and early detection
Clear, actionable steps to protect your collection
We speak openly about the realities many avoid—such as snakes being silent carriers for long periods, and the unfortunate fact that some breeders, knowingly or not, continue to sell animals without proper testing or disclosure. This silence ends here.
We are actively connecting with major reptile events and expos to:
Offer on-site testing with lab processing
Promote accountability and responsible practices
Share our knowledge and raise the collective standard
To sustain this initiative, we will collect funds through:
Collaborations with labs offering diagnostic testing
Sales of essential quarantine and sterilization equipment
Community donations from those who believe in our mission
All funds will be used to maintain the Reptile Wellness Alliance and to invest in critical research aimed at finding cures for reptile diseases, starting with Nidovirus and expanding to other threats facing our animals.The Reptile Wellness Alliance is open to all who are keepers, breeders, and allies. Together, we can build a future where wellness, responsibility, and trust are at the heart of reptile keeping.