Breakup: Where do the snakes go?

Let me preface this by saying that my relationship is in the port-o-potty. Maybe because of reasons on both ends, but whatever the case may be, we are not doing well at all.

Which brings me to think about a certain situation. My boyfriend, who we will refer to as "X" (if that's what you'd even call him, we haven't had any kind of relations in over a year, but that's a different story I guess) and I live together, and we have lived together for a little over 3 years. We have been dating fof about 7-8. We are both 29 years old. Currently we own 15 leopard geckos, 4 snakes, and a 14 y/o pit bull.


The dog was his before we even met. 3 years ago, we went to Pennsylvania to pick up the dog, who his mother could no longer care for due to Parkinsons, and since he's been with me, I have paid for his vaccines, about $2500 worth of knee surgery due to malignant tumors, food, shelter, and everything else he needs as far as minor illnesses such as diarrhea, hotspots, eye infections, etc... has X ever paid a cent for these things? Damn right he hasn't.

Now we come to the reptiles. The Ball Python was purchased before we started living together...however...I have paid for ever DIME and PENNY that has gone into that snake...he still refers to it as his snake though, and seems to be pretty adamant about it...it almost scares me a little.

Fast foreward we move in together about 3 years ago. He comes home from Houston and has been fighing MMA very hard.To make a long story short, he had a headache, I brought him to the hospital, and he had brain surgery the next day. He was in ICU for 2 months.

Regardless of all that, since then, I have purchased 3 other snakes, a BRB, western hognose, and a GTP. Every CENT that goes towards these animals are mine. However, I am not sure how I would prove these animals are actually "mine"...as I have no receipts for them.

My concern is, god forbid, we break up and he tries to take my animals away from me. I honestly have no way of proving that these animals are mine other that that I feed them and provide them veterinary care when needed (which none of the snakes have needed).

I care for these snakes and geckos mnore than I care for myself sometimes...I don't feel our relationship is going to last at this point, so I want to be prepared to claim custody of the animals I have if need be...and for some reason I have a funny feeling that's what it's going to come down to. A nasty, nasty, divorce with an argument over child custody.

I won't even get into what his "ethics" are as far as keeping snakes, Or lack thereof, if I dont need to.

So who's animal is who? The way I see it...they're all mine, because I pay for them, feed them, and provide shelter for them. I clean them and can provide immediate veterinary care, especially considering my line of work. If I don't have receipts for my animals, would I need their breeders to testify that I, in fact paid for them, and not "X"?

I am so nervous, upset, confused, and exhausted. Any legal advice is appreciated. Thank you.

I don't have any legal advice for you. I can say if you have doubts about your relationship then you should just end it. Why just keep dragging it out? I did that with my ex. Life is to short to be miserable.

I would talk to "X" and tell him how you feel about the animals. Maybe since he doesn't want to pay for their care he will tell you to keep them.

Hope everything works out for you.

I don't really know what the legal way to do this would be but good luck, sounds like you deserve every single one of them!

Just sneak away with them all in the middle of the night..easy.

I know that you stated that you have no proof of taking care of the animals, but does he have proof that he bought them? I keep all my receipts, but I have a few snakes that I never received any written proof of buying and paid for them cash. I wish you the best, and I know it has been stated before life is to short to be miserable....

Did you get the snakes from a breeder or anything? If you purchased them online there should be a transaction on your credit/debit card. Otherwise could the breeder vouch for you?

Otherwise, if there is no proof that he purchased the animals either you can probably just take them. If he doesn't have written proof I'm pretty sure any court would just laugh at him.

My question is would he be willing to take you to court to fight over the animals? If not how could he stop you from taking them? Can he prove that they are his? Any vet records in his name or receipts? I'm not trying to encourage an argument or anything but would it be possible that if you talk to him about how you are feeling about the relationship & let him know that the animals mean a lot to you that maybe you could to come to a reasonable arrangement with them? I agree with others that you talk to him soon about how you are feeling. Best of luck to you all.

Take them to a friend's house while he's gone and say theyre sold. Then when he is out of the picture, get your snakes back.

Are you two married and going through a divorce? If you aren't, then I dont think the law has any bearing on who gets what.. Your animals are your animals and his are his. If you want to get the law involved, then I would imagine you do need to show proof of ownership.

If you cant prove you own them.. Take the animals that are YOURS, and move them some place safe. Tell him you rehomed them because you were having a hard time dealing with them and the situation (or something, whatever you want to make up).

Ask him if he wants you to rehome the other animals (you will take care of doing this) or if he wants to keep them. If you go with the "rehoming" route, and ask him if you can keep "his" animals, its going to look suspicious.

That is what I would do. But with my BF and I, whenever we get an animal together, we talk about what would happen if we split up. Its a sad conversation to have, but we both know the animals would be well cared for. And he knows that all the reptiles are mine anyway :/

I also can't say this is good legal advice, I'm sorry. :( I would suggest talking to an attorney or something if you're really worried.

Take them all and get away from him. He sounds like a. I'm not going to say it. Get yourself out of that bad situation girl.