Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat McLain.
Hi Kat, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been fascinated with reptiles and amphibians. It started when I was a kid. We had a lot of native species living on our farm. The first encounter I remember was finding an injured Rubber boa. My parents put it in a terrarium while we looked to find a place to take it to. A couple hours later we realized the snake looked much smaller. It turns out she was pregnant and Rubber boas give live birth. I was astonished snakes could give live birth. Fast forward to 2018, I had moved back home and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with life. I knew I wanted to work with animals. I grew up helping wildlife, farm animals, cats, and dogs, but I became aware of how little was done for reptiles and amphibians. Research led me down a rabbit hole of just how difficult reptile keeping can be and how much false information was out there. Reptiles seemed so misunderstood, often left out of the conversation for better care. I knew that I wanted to be an advocate for them. While the concept of Magic Dragon Reptile Sanctuary was born in 2018, I knew I still needed to build the knowledge to do it right. I spent a lot of time researching husbandry while working with the reptiles I had. In 2020, I joined the veterinary medicine field hoping to get a better understanding of the medical side of reptiles. While I didn’t see exotic species very often, I gained access to continuing education courses, medical journals, and got to work/speak with a couple veterinarians who saw exotics more than I did. Most of what Magic Dragon Reptiles did during those years was from word of mouth. I’d be contacted about reptiles in need of new homes and mostly did some school events here and there. It was difficult to move my business forward working full time in the veterinary field due to the long hours. This year I took the leap to make everything official. We have spent the last year doing birthday parties, school events, and other events for larger venues. I have had the privilege to help over a dozen reptiles since January. We really blossomed this year due to the huge support we have received from family, friends, and some business acquaintances I have made.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been a rocky road over the last years. Veterinary medicine means long hours, burn out, compassion fatigue, and very little time left for yourself. The rest of my time was spent caring for the animals I had and studying/researching what I needed for my business. I always felt I needed to do or learn more before I could officially apply for our business license. I was waiting for that perfect moment. In 2025, I realized that moment wasn’t going to come. I was going to need to take a risk if I wanted to make any progress. An event we did in December of 2025 was the catalyst to prioritize my business. I really didn’t understand all that went into running a business, taxes, bookkeeping, licenses etc… so I had to learn quickly. Insurance was the biggest struggle as having a rescue and doing in-person events with reptiles takes a special kind of insurance. It was quite the task in finding a company who could cover us. However, I take it day by day knowing that it’s ok that I don’t know everything right now. I just focus on improving where I can and try to ride out the struggles.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Magic Dragon Reptile Sanctuary is a sole proprietor LLC, working with the Department of Agriculture to acquire our state rescue license. Our main focus is reptile rescue and rehabilitation. My veterinary training and knowledge allows us to help reptiles who have various health conditions who either need long or short term care. We specialize in those animals that will need further medical care. Healthy reptiles or medically cleared reptiles get to find forever homes. Those that need long term care stay within our sanctuary so they can get the follow up care they need. Our private events such as birthday parties is what helps fund the sanctuary. All proceeds from our events go directly back to the animals through veterinary care, food, and enclosure supplies. Most of the animals used in our educational events are past rescues who live with us long term. We consider them reptile ambassadors who help us teach others about how amazing and magical reptiles are. It allows us the space to discuss how important conservation is to protecting our native reptiles and amphibians as well as discuss the importance of proper husbandry practices to ensure they are living the healthiest life. I remember the thrill of having a reptile birthday party as a kid so it feels like a honor to continue that tradition.
Additionally, we support the reptile community with husbandry consults. Many of the illnesses we see with surrendered reptiles comes down to husbandry. Our goal is to help prevent the common issues like metabolic bone disease and help our clients weed through all the false information out there.
I am most proud of our success stories with reptiles we have been able to help. Hook, a leopard gecko, had severe metabolic bone disease and had become stunted as a juvenile. He is forever small compared to other leopard geckos. After years of treatment, he is living his best life and a proud member of our ambassador team. Our veiled chameleon, Mr. Meseeks, was found abandoned on the coast outside a business. He has been thriving, cleared as healthy by our veterinarian, and gets to live out his days mostly undisturbed with a healthy variety of bugs to eat. We have so many stories of reptiles we have helped get healthy and work tirelessly with recent intakes that require intensive medication courses and feedings. I do think we stand out by using rescue reptiles for our education programs. They may have some deformities or not look like reptiles you would see in stores or zoos, but they get to bring joy to the people they meet and it warms my heart to see how far they have come.
All of our reptile ambassadors have been worked with at great length to ensure they are comfortable being handled by others and aren’t exhibiting any signs of stress when handled. We have several reptiles within our sanctuary who do not get used as ambassadors. Our goal is to make sure that all participants and animals are safe and comfortable.
Our private events do have a fee, but we waive that fee for schools and other education related programs such as home schools. We understand that not every school has a separate budget for activities like this and want to ensure everyone can get the opportunity to meet and experience the world of reptiles.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the variety of businesses and nature we have throughout the Portland/Milwaukie area. I have gotten to meet some amazing people and learn more about their small businesses like Darci at Wildlings Play Place in Oregon City or Evie and Mitch with PDX Critters. I love how the community supports each other and our small businesses especially through collaboration. My dislikes of the area will always be traffic related. My first veterinary job was in Hillsboro and I do not miss sitting in the stop and go traffic of downtown Portland trying to get home.
Pricing:
- $150/ hour reptile experience/birthday party
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magicdragonreptiles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magic_dragon_reptiles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicdragonreptiles/
