Update on the CL boa rescue.. *sigh* I'm still appalled.

[Surrealle]

Well, let me start by saying we got the boa, and more.

We drove the 1.5 hours to Tyler, and arrived at a trailer park. As we were looking for the house, we came across the seller and two other guys burying a dead cat on the side of the road. We met up with him, and he brought the snake out. He mentioned how he wanted to get a friend's albino snake and breed it (ugh), and I did my best to suggest that he not get it unless he could feed it properly. He then said he wouldn't, and that that was why he was getting rid of this one, because he couldn't take care of it. He also said he'd prefer a tarantula over a snake. Anyways, the snake looked in decent shape, all things considered, although I didn't get a good look at him because I just wanted out of there. So we bought him, and were about to leave. My bf asked if we could take the cage too, and the guy said he was just going to throw it away, so we took it.

The snake, which I'm guessing is around 5 feet long, was kept in a 20gal tall aquarium with nearly airtight glass panels at the top, which originally came from an entertainment center. The "substrate": river rocks, and an inch or two of rancid, standing water. The heat source: one incandescent bulb. We were told it was last fed 3 chicken eggs last week. No water dish, nothing to climb, and no hide.

As we were leaving, I noticed a kitten lingering at our feet trying to get attention. They said two different families had taken that kitten in and then thrown it back out. They then explained that there were about 20 stray cats living in their area; only one person was feeding them table scraps, otherwise they were living out of a dumpster. They had to kill 5 of them last week because people hit them with cars and the kids play with them and hurt them. They also shot two pit bulls because the landlord didn't allow dogs. The cat they were burying when we pulled up had to be shot because it was paralyzed. So, we also ended up bringing the kitten home. She spent the entire ride either fast asleep in my lap, or purring and kneading against my stomach. I've never seen a cat take to a car ride that well in my life.

After we left, my bf told me that the guy's parting comment was that he was glad we were taking the snake, because if we didn't, he was going to eat it. He also wanted me to send him a video of it eating a rat because he'd never seen it eat one before.

My bf attempted to clean the tank out after we got home; the smell was so bad he had to walk away before it literally made him sick. He said it was the worst thing he's ever smelled in his life.

So, the kitten will get flea dipped, has gulped down a bowl of food so fast she nearly choked, and will probably spend tonight sleeping on top of me. She'll get a vet visit next week to take care of any other health issues. The snake is now on paper towels in a 40 gal aquarium, with a hide box, heat mat, and large water dish, and vet care will be arranged for him as soon as we can. I will post pics ASAP, but for tonight I'm physically and emotionally exhausted. I don't know whether I'll be able to keep either of these animals, but I will not even think of letting them go to anything less than the best of homes. No living thing should have to live like they were, it was truly disgusting.

[satomi325]

I saw your previous thread regarding the snake.
I'm really glad you were able to get him. The whole 'egg only diet' was frightening. I hope he eats a rat for you.
That whole trailer park scene sounds like a really shady place.

Please keep us posted on the snake's progress. You're a really good person to go out of your way and use your own money to get him.

Good luck!

[Shann]

Oh my god some people shouldn't be allowed to even be near animals. Ugh that makes me sick. I was following your last thread. Thank you so much for taking the boa in, and the kitten. Best of luck with them. No matter what they are in a situation worlds better than the one they left.

[Jazz]

Wow, hugs to you for all you've gone through to get these animals to a safe home where they'll be properly cared for. Some people just make me shake my head in disgust

[kat_black181]

Wow. I've been following this since the last thread, and I'm really glad you were able to get the snake. So sad that it was forced to live in those sort of conditions!!! Good luck with both animals you rescued.

Thank you for taking them in. :-)

[Surrealle]

Thanks everyone, I'm just glad it seems like I was able to get to them in time.

The boa was very sluggish when we got him home, not surprisingly. After he had been in the new tank for a few hours and seemed to be slowly checking it out, we decided to take a chance and feed him a f/t rat pup--which was really just a mouthful for him--because it had been so long since he has eaten well. (Who knows what kind of conditions he was in when the guy's brother had him, y'know?). He showed some intense interest almost immediately, and after about 20 or 30 seconds of tempting him, he lashed out and took it like a champ. Jeff said he hit so hard he almost knocked the tongs out of his hand.

Fortunately, between that and the heat mat, he has perked up considerably, and explored his cage quite a bit. For about half an hour after we fed him, he was particularly active and alert, presumably hoping for more food. As of this morning, he's curled up mostly on the heat mat and hasn't regurged, so I figure this is all a pretty good sign. We plan to feed him a small rat in a few days. I'm relieved that he had no issue taking a f/t animal, and will keep him on those as long as possible.

The kitten is also doing quite well. She seemed to have issues with her back legs last night, and didn't move around much, though it didn't look like she was in pain. I don't know if it was just malnourishment or if someone kicked her (both of which seem equally likely). Today she's moving around a bit more easily and at least can jump onto the couch, which is something I was concerned about. For some reason she has almost no play instinct though, but maybe that will come out with time.

Fingers crossed that everyone continues to improve!

[KasiRVT]

I have also been following your original thread. Thank you so much for getting the snake (and kitten) out of those conditions. I'd make sure that the kitten is on a high quality kitten food for now, as it was likely that she was not receiving enough taurine from scavenging. Once again thank you for helping those babies out in their time of need! Karma is a wonderful thing!

[Surrealle]

Thanks.. She's getting the same food my bf's spoiled cat gets, I can't remember the brand off the top of my head, but it's a good one. I'm wondering what else is wrong with her though, as she's acting downright lethargic today for what I'm guessing is a 10-12 wk old kitten (sleeping constantly, not moving around much or playing). Guess I'll be getting blood work and a parasite screening done on her at the vet. >_<

The boa, last I checked, was completely curled up in the hide with just his head sticking out. I didn't realize they'd enjoy a hide too (I thought it was more of a bp thing), so I'm glad I got it. Thank you, Evenstar, for your recommendations.


Here's some inital pics, as promised. Sorry the ones of the snake are kinda lousy, but I don't want to mess with him trying to get a good one while he's still settling in.

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Half in the hide:

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Midnight snack:

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[Archimedes]

Kitten could just be settling in, but I do hope she's alright. She's a pretty little thing. Loving the saddles on that boa too, glad he's perking up.

[Evenstar]

I have no words.


Bless you for taking both these animals!! I hope you can keep them, but if not, at least you will find them good permanent homes and they are both safe. They actually look pretty darn good considering how they started out. Wishing you all the best and do keep us posted!