Eastpointe animal control officers joked about "risking life and limb" when they seized two alligators on Tuesday.

According to police, the prohibited animals were taken to the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens, south of Battle Creek.

Critchlow is the only alligator sanctuary in the Midwest, and it works with pet owners, zoos and animal control offices all around the country to help give a home to unwanted alligators.

"If we weren’t around as a facility ... they would get euthanized or move on to another rescue facility," said Director of Animal Care Angelina Kelly. "They would bounce from facility to facility."

She said the Eastpointe rescues were owned by a barbershop and appeared to have been on display, but looked healthy and well taken care of.

The two alligators have since been put up for public sponsorship.

"The $50 helps cover the cost of caring for the alligator," Kelly said. "We don’t get any type of government help."

The Eastpointe alligators are two of the four animals rescued this month, and the sanctuary will indefinitely continue to open its doors to the reptiles, Kelly said.

"We are that option that people have, that we can give that alligator another life to still be an alligator," Kelly said.

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