They're trying to kick our snakes out of the dorm!

Background info:
This may get a little lengthy. :rolleyes:
My friend Mike (Shiftypowers4444) and I are both sophomores in college and each have our own room in the same hall. We have 12 snakes, 10 bps, and two Colombian Red-Tails. We're getting into breeding and have two females due for eggs in about 2 and 4 weeks. All the snakes are housed in two racks in my room shown here:
http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/.../Photo0091.jpg

Unlike some others, our school allows pets without feathers or fur in the dorm so keep that in mind. Our school also doesn't allow alcohol on campus. This seems to be the main reason for room checks. So today we had our room checks which occur once or twice a semester unless something is stolen. So today while I was in class they came by my room and left a note saying that I failed my room check and I'm supposed to check in with my RD (not going to do that :P). The group of residence life staff made their way down to Mike's room and routinely checked his fridge but didn't notice the cleverly disguised rat racks that we use to breed our rats. Here are the rat racks that they somehow didn't notice:
http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/.../Photo0090.jpg

Great huh? Good thing they didn't find something that was actually against the rules.

So our RD ended up telling Mike that 12 snakes is a health hazard and that we need to get rid of them. We plan on ignoring this for as long as we can since we have no possible place to take them since we both live at least an hour from school. If it comes to it we are going to fight to keep them here for the remaining 4 weeks of school. We have many valid points against this including the fact that reptiles are allowed. I wanted to see what the community had to say about this and I'm welcoming any ideas that could help our cause. We take care of our animals diligently and much better than some others who keep snakes in the dorm so we see no reason why they are a health hazard. Thanks in advance for responses and taking the time to read this.

Not only did they miss the rat racks that were so cleverly disguised, but how could they miss the smell?!

I would fight it. Does it say anywhere that your limited to how many reptiles you can have?

Nope, it doesn't say anything restricting numbers of pets. We will definitely fight it and take the case to whatever administration figure we need to.

I'm guessing it's going to be an easy fight... Ball Pythons a health hazard... That's just crazy talk!

gonna have to agree cant believe they didnt smell it... Fighting it may be a plan but I am willing to bet a futile one. I would start looking for an off campus place unless you are on scholarship that pays room and board you could probably find some place to rent together...I have and will fight for my rights, and you should but be ready with a back up plan is all I am saying

They missed the smell because as I saw them making their way down the hall I ran and febreezed the heck out of it. Then so they didn't hear the random claws I threw on an old Everclear CD, and cranked the CD like it was just released. Long story short the RD even walked over to it glanced and then kept talking to me about how the snakes had to go. lol

I don't think they have a number limit. I'm guessing he thinks all of the tubs are full in the black snake rack.(in the picture above) That is the only way I can understand why he suddenly doesn't want them here after having most of them for this entire school year.

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Originally Posted by jjmitchell

gonna have to agree cant believe they didnt smell it... Fighting it may be a plan but I am willing to bet a futile one. I would start looking for an off campus place unless you are on scholarship that pays room and board you could probably find some place to rent together...I have and will fight for my rights, and you should but be ready with a back up plan is all I am saying

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We only have a few weeks left and are required to live on campus since we have academic scholarships and are athletes. We've had these snakes all year and they have made this decision now. We'll take whatever actions we have to in order to take care of them.

Ask them why they believe they are a health hazard. If they can give you a reason, you can address their concerns. It might be something like they think they are not secure, which you can show how the racks work, and they are secure.. or something else simple. If nothing else, it will buy time since you only need 4 weeks.

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Originally Posted by ShiftyPowers4444

They missed the smell because as I saw them making their way down the hall I ran and febreezed the heck out of it. Then so they didn't hear the random claws I threw on an old Everclear CD, and cranked the CD like it was just released. Long story short the RD even walked over to it glanced and then kept talking to me about how the snakes had to go. lol

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Now that's clever, lol.

Yeah, I would just try to let it slide for 4 weeks, and ask them to clarify the health hazard thing if they bring it up again. Ball pythons=so not hazardous. They probably think they're venomous or something.

But I would look for off-campus housing next year, because, well, the heck with this.

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Yeah, I would just try to let it slide for 4 weeks, and ask them to clarify the health hazard thing if they bring it up again. Ball pythons=so not hazardous. They probably think they're venomous or something.

But I would look for off-campus housing next year, because, well, the heck with this.

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I agree

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Yeah, I would just try to let it slide for 4 weeks, and ask them to clarify the health hazard thing if they bring it up again. Ball pythons=so not hazardous. They probably think they're venomous or something.

But I would look for off-campus housing next year, because, well, the heck with this.

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With the rules about scholarship students and athletes being required to live on campus that wouldn't really be an option but we're both transferring out so that will solve the problem.

A health hazard.. Are you joking me?

That's stupid.

I wouldn't even listen to them. If you keep your hands and area sanitized and disinfected then there is no health hazard.

with your cleverly covered rat racks im susprized they didnt call the dea and do a "drug" bust.... LOOKS VERY SUSPISIOS

just my .02

If the school keeps on, would it be possible for you to get people to sign a petition saying that your snakes aren't a hazard and aren't aggressive? I mean, it's the last 4 weeks, that's ridiculous. Like others said, I'd personally ignore it and fight them every time they said something. Just goes to show that the general public is so undereducated about snakes:mad:

I have had tarantulas for over 4 years, and I have been around Ball Pythons for a couple years. I have never been bitten or striked at by either one.

I have been bitten by dogs, or stung by bees more times than I have been harmed by tarantulas or Ball Pythons.

So funny how people think exotic animals are so dangerous and such health hazards. Dogs can go around getting loose biting the crap out of people but you don't see them trying to put a ban on dogs or anything.

Take a minute and just think about how dumb some people are....

WOW..

good luck keeping them in your dorm. That would be extremely stupid if they rly make u remove them or try to kick you out. BPs are such sweet animals

How bout breeding? Even though they would have no clue you are attempting to do this. If it doesnt go your way, I would ask them to let you go to the end of the year, explain cost, animal well being, etc and you should be fine. Now I am on your side with this, but imo I think you are approaching a line that would be tough to argue all aspects of right and wrong.

What I mean is this, as an owner myself I have one rule I try to follow. Respect feelings of those around me. Since my reptiles are in my home it is easy to do, if you dont like snakes, dont go downstairs lol. In this case living in a dorm and the amount of snakes you have, I think you may at times be walking the line of respecting the feelings of others. I am sure you will say others have no issues with them being there etc., but that is the line....I know if I didnt like snakes, and I have raised feeders, that smell may be a stretch for someone in the dorm , along with those who may have a phobia of snakes.

Does this make sense? Again I am on your side, but that amount may be a stretch to expect the college to accept. Either way I am sure there will be a limit set by them in the future, or possibly added reptiles to the list so they dont have this issue again.

It's possible that they will claim the health hazard isn't the snakes themselves, but all the heating elements and electrical plugs. When I lived in dorms (a VERY long time ago :rolleyes: ) they were older buildings and concern about overloading the circuits with too many small appliances was a very real one. We weren't allowed to have a microwave or blenders or coffee makers or anything with a heating element in it...at the risk of overloading circuits OR burning down the building with a coffee pot that was left on. :rolleye2:

Maybe you guys can get a rent house and move in together. Even if you aren't dating, you guys are probably compatible roommates. Just an idea.

You must realize that whatever their decision is, it's going to be that way. You're there as their paying guest. If you don't abide by their rules (or how they interpret them), you can be asked to leave.

I'm sure if you review your student housing contract, you will see they have the final say on almost any interpretation of all of their own rules. So basically, they can do whatever they want. Sure you can ask for a review, maybe even win you argument this time. But in the long run, you're going to lose. They do not have to offer you a dorm room next year/semester.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by Falconsmith

With the rules about scholarship students and athletes being required to live on campus that wouldn't really be an option but we're both transferring out so that will solve the problem.

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Bah. That sucks. Well, good luck to you both.

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Originally Posted by Jason Bowden

Maybe you guys can get a rent house and move in together. Even if you aren't dating, you guys are probably compatible roommates. Just an idea.

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Haha, no we don't have a bromance going on. We won't be here next year so that's not concern. Hopefully we can convince the right people that there is nothing wrong here. We keep the racks and our hands clean. Also, reptiles are allowed here. We only have 3 and half weeks left and they've been here all year.

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

You must realize that whatever their decision is, it's going to be that way. You're there as their paying guest. If you don't abide by their rules (or how they interpret them), you can be asked to leave.

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They've had the snakes the entire year, and it wasn't a problem until now. What if you guys showed the school this forum and what we're all saying to support you?

If it comes down to it we're willing to do whatever. Honestly, I just think they're ignorant. They don't know what kind of snakes they are in the first place so that should tell you something. We have many resources including this site to use for our case if we need to. I saw my RD about three times today and he didn't even say anything to him about me not responding to the note saying I need to call him so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the support guys. I'll post with updates if anything happens.

I kind of bet it may have more to do with the number and method of keeping them. They do not look like pets in this sort of set up. They look like you're breeding them.

You probably had someone complain about them. I'll bet it was someone who doesn't like you. The sanitation thing is just a ruse on their part, since they don't know what to say since they have been there all that time. Someone probably heard about the salmonella thing concerning snakes, and all egg laying animals. Which is over blown by these germ-a-phobics.....I just got done making and eating a sandwich with Alexander on my neck.

Just drag your feet. There maybe a certain amount of time before they can evict you anyway. Hang in there.....And next time be careful with who you let know about your brood.

Alright it looks like we'll be good for the rest of the year. We've heard they're going to limit the ownership of pets without feather or fur to one next year which won't affect us. I'm satisfied but kind of disappointed that we didn't get to prove them wrong. :8: Thanks for the responses!

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Originally Posted by Falconsmith

Alright it looks like we'll be good for the rest of the year. We've heard they're going to limit the ownership of pets without feather or fur to one next year which won't affect us. I'm satisfied but kind of disappointed that we didn't get to prove them wrong. :8: Thanks for the responses!

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lol i would of told them ur gonna breads hundreds of mice/rats since they have fur lol

Just breed hairless! haha, no fur there. or at least very little.

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Originally Posted by Emohooker

Just breed hairless! haha, no fur there. or at least very little.

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Haha yeah I though about that tonight and we could get some hairless pretty easily. Our breeders all seem to be popping this week so we'll have to get our maternity rack soon! That won't be obvious at all...