Do I have to say bye-bye to my Ball Python?? :-(

I'm new to this forum and have a question. My mother owns a residential care for the elderly and she said I couldn't have my snake because it's against regulations for her to have a snake. I've been looking through the internet and I don't see any pet type regulations. anyways, does anyone know if it's all right or not to keep a python in a situation that your home is a business to take care of elders and they think that snakes post a problem regarding safety...?


thank you!!!

I wouldnt see a reason you cant have it. But I dont know. Sounds like she just doesnt want it.

But, like I always fell... If no one finds it, who says you have it?? Keep it.

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Originally Posted by mycrimsonromance

I'm new to this forum and have a question. My mother owns a residential care for the elderly and she said I couldn't have my snake because it's against regulations for her to have a snake. I've been looking through the internet and I don't see any pet type regulations. anyways, does anyone know if it's all right or not to keep a python in a situation that your home is a business to take care of elders and they think that snakes post a problem regarding safety...?


thank you!!!

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If your snake has a secure enclosure and isnt big enough to hurt anyone (obviously, its a ball python)...Then i dont see why there would be any problems... You should make it part of the elderly program... Like a snake show...

I don't know about it being a regulation. It may be an insurance risk having an "Exotic pet" in a home based elderly care location. Even if your mom just wants the snake gone..It's going to suck and it going to hurt and its not going to be easy..But the mature thing is to respect her wishes and find a new home for your pet. I know that not what you wanted to hear but I may be the reality at this point in your life..

Good luck with what ever you descide . :D

It would probably fall down to some local statute or to a rule from whomever she is certified through meaning it is not really a "law" but a requirement to do that job. I can see it being in regs like that too, dealing with the issue of Salmonella (just an example) and all. Of course I know that salmonella from snakes is not that often of an occurrence, but I am sure from a liability standpoint that a worry like this, unfounded or not, that anyone certifying you or putting their name with yours in any other way might want to be overly cautious with things like that due to insurance reasons.

That is just my 2 pennies about how this law suit happy world is today.

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Originally Posted by mycrimsonromance

I'm new to this forum and have a question. My mother owns a residential care for the elderly and she said I couldn't have my snake because it's against regulations for her to have a snake. I've been looking through the internet and I don't see any pet type regulations. anyways, does anyone know if it's all right or not to keep a python in a situation that your home is a business to take care of elders and they think that snakes post a problem regarding safety...?


thank you!!!

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The main problem is going to be the weakened immune systems of the elderly. It is generally said that you dont want to keep an animal that can carry salmonella around infants and elderly. I dont know about this as I do not live with either but if/when I do have an infant, I will still keep the snake, but sanitation and hand washing efforts will be tripled and the snake would be moved to a more isolated room of the house.

I don't think it would be such an issue to have a snake at an elderly home. The only problem is that maybe some of the elderly do not like snakes as much (frightened) and they fear it may try to bite them. Now, if you tell them it's a python, they may immediately think "constrictor" and start to fear it even more because all they will think about is that snake becoming large (20+ ft.) and very thick, able to constrict one of them. Some people may not even be afraid, though, I know two people in my family who just flat out hate snakes of all sizes. They don't live at an elderly home, and they do visit often. My grandpa is the most fearful, and will never take one step or one look in my room. They always ask me, "Why don't you like something else like a dog or a cat?" and they always tell me my snakes will get huge and try to contrict me one day (trying to scare me and make me give up my snakes..).

At an elderly home, they may also be fearful is getting sicknesses and they may think your snake will carry all kinds of diseases. If you do have it there, it would be best to just not show the elderly the snake at all, and also not talk about it around them. Then they may go crazy that they think there's a snake in the building;)

It probably has got alot to do with the certifying authority, insurance, and public health inspectors...



Rob

are the elder people living in the same home? I didnt really understand but oh well....

If your mom says the snake has to go, and you live there... you kinda have to let it go to a new home.
If you live on your own, you can have whichever pets you want(as long as you don't have regulations there prohibiting pets).
I'd guess that reptile pets are prohibited due to salmonella, and because it's an exotic.