That is the best way to go about it. Make sure it is a humane society and not animal control as humane societies usually have a better response than county animal control.
Perhaps you could try to contact a herp rescue near you to help out? They might even have some sway with animal control / humane society. I found this site - http://www.anapsid.org/societies/florida.html Towards the bottom it lists several her rescues in Florida - I'm not really sure about your location but I thought one of them might be somewhat close.
Best of luck.