Quick Peanut update

( backstory > ) I originally took in Peanut as a foster and when we picked her up the owner said he'd like her back once his living conditions are better unless we "fall in love" with her and have to keep her. He's open to both but I'm sure he'd love to have her back. Now, I'm a little reluctant to give her back after seeing the condition she was in and I've told him the things that were done wrong and he admits fully to his mistakes and knew it was wrong when he was doing it ( keeping her in a garage, not monitoring feeding ). He was just in a really tough spot and couldn't give her full attention.

What should I do when he's able to take her back? Make 100% sure he knows what to do once he gets her back or keep her in fear of somthing happening? When I met this person he seemed very genuine and kind so can't imagine he would hurt Peanut on purpose?

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it's usually the same excuse when someone gives up/rehomes their BP: i'm in a tough spot, i didn't know any better, i'm working w/ what i had, i didn't have enough time, etc. usually there's no personal accountability and the animal suffers as a result.

a few things u could do:
-- ask for a rehoming fee - this is not for profit but to demonstrate investment in the animal and maybe in your case reimbursement for vet costs, etc.
-- review, understand and commit to a BP caresheet like this one: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ius)-Caresheet
-- ask him to create an account here so we can help Peanut and the owner out.

mistakes and uncontrollable circumstances happen, but when another life is involved there is no excuse for the neglect that animal received. period. what's going to happen when he hits another tough spot? life is full of 'em. he can say sorry all he wants, but Peanut deserves better.

If it was me, there is no way she'd be going back. I'm one of those individuals who judges people harshly based on their treatment of animals. When something relies on you completely for its well being, and you KNOWINGLY allow them to suffer or don't provide what they need, I simply cant abide by that. I've been in difficult (read unemployed) spots, where my last $20 went to a bag of dog food or cat litter instead of my cell phone or even groceries for me, because I knew that I had responsibilities to my animals.

Again, I know that I am different than a lot of people in this regard who see them as "just animals", but in your shoes I would just tell him "Sorry, but she's going to stay with me". Maybe keeping him updated with pictures, etc via email would be something that he would appreciate instead of taking her back.

Nope.

Wouldn't go back to former owner, period !!!

You know why? This animal already went through hell. Already came close to dying. Already lived in filth and neglect. That animal deserves a fresh start.


If he is "so so" sorry, and truly thinks he could do better, he should do this

First of all, research how to do everything right, join a forum such as this one, read caresheets.

THEN, buy everything that is needed to properly house a Ball Python. The right way. Everything.

THEN, set up everything, dial it in, test if everything runs right, stays right

THEN buy a well established, healthy BP from a breeder and KEEP it healthy.

If he isn't willing to go through all these steps, his "dedication" still isn't where it needs to be. It may never be. He doesn't deserve to get back this animal that he almost neglected to death. That animal doesn't deserve to go back there EVER.

How "easy" it would be for that guy to just take back the "fixed" animal and "all is peachy". To easy.

Perhaps he should just get a pet rock or something.. yes, harsh, but what that animal went through wasn't a walk through a park, either.

This wasn't a snake who was a little skinny and had a bad shed or two- this was an underfed snake with an RI and a HOLE in her FACE, among other things. Mice or rats are cheap- the least he could have done is feed her properly. While he may genuinely be a kind person who never intended for Peanut to end up the way she did, they did still happen on his watch. If possible, I would probably try to keep her. However, that may be easier said than done, especially if he let you take the snake with some expectation of getting her back. One way or the other, make sure you have all your vet paperwork and receipts for the money you've had to spend to get her functional again, so that he has concrete proof that the snake was in very bad shape when you picked her up. You could also have him call your vet, who can reiterate how close to being a goner she really was, and who can be a resource for him to turn to should you decide to give her back.

Unless he is paying vet bills, has his name on the medical account, is making healthcare decisions - then legally (from a veterinary stand point alone) I would consider the snake yours. If you hadn't signed anything, no binding agreement - then (if and when he says he's ready to take her back) I'd say that the money and time your putting into her care would need to be reimbursed fully; which he probably won't want to do.

Also by that time you're going to be attached.

Ask yourself - do you really think he'll care for her properly? If she gets sick or hurt again is he just going to "re-home" her until the care and money are spent then ask for her back? If he can't reimburse you financially for the vet stuff, do you really think he can afford to care for her properly? You said he was 'in a tough spot' and was neglecting her (obviously), so will she just be shoved back into the garage in a few years when things get tough again?

If she was mine, I would save all my vet bills, feeding bills, habitat costs, everything - and say 'look, I've spent a ton of money and gotten attached. You said I could adopt her if we "fell in love" and I have'. If he still wants her back, ask for some of the cost - he sounds like someone that won't want to shell out cash when he could go to the local petco and snag one for $50.

Tell him, "No way, this animal was badly sick, and had to have veterinarian care and much better living conditions. I am caring for it from now on, to make sure she is healthy and happy."

If that doesn't work, then say,"Kick rocks!":zerb: