Friend neglecting my BP

A little back ground. I had to leave my ball python with a friend for a while. I couldn't take her where I was moving because of rules of the place. She is about 3 yrs old almost 4 now. She was sleek and happy and looking awesome when I left her. I did tell them that when I was able to move back here I wanted her back. I sent money for food and substrate for her. I saw her for the first time in almost 2 yrs a week ago and she looked awful. She had some stuck on shed hadn't been fed, no water, her "cage" looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a year or longer and she didn't have any heat. I have been trying to get her back for over a week now. When I got food for her I even bought food for their snakes. We decided last Friday I would be able to bring her home and get her cleaned up. All the snakes were fed on Tuesday except 1 wouldn't eat. After me asking on Friday if I could go get her they got the one that didn't want to eat fed. I asked them at like 8 in the morning. They fed this snake at 11 and I was told no you have to wait now because this one just ate. I asked again today and was ignored. How can I get my girl back so I can get her back in good health? This BP was a bday present from my husband and the people that were "taking care of her" were suppose to make sure she was taken care of. They were teaching me how to care for a ball because they have had them for so long. If I had known that this is how they would take care of her I would have just hidden her where I was living and kept her with me. Evidently the money I sent for her care went to feeding their snakes and other reptiles. You can see her back bone well defined and she isn't so much round as a nice triangle shape now. Before I left her she was round with a little back bone showing like a healthy ball. I had her whole set up to where everything was perfect for her. She hasn't had humidity evidently for a good while and there are mineral deposits caking her water dish which is not the one I had in there when I left her. Also her hides were given to other snakes and now she has 1 half log that is way too big for her. Old poop, shed skin, and junk all over the sides of the tank. Yes I said tank. I had her in a 20 long because she wasn't quite big enough to move up to the next size enclosure. she is now in a 30 tall with out anything except dirty substrate, a mineral caked water bowl, and a half log.

I have no advise other than find better friends. Good luck getting her back.

That is horrible. She sounds like she is in a bad place.
Do you have pictures of her before and now? Any emails that shows that they'll properly care for her and give her back when you came back? That could be used as evidence if you were to take legal action if they continue to refuse you.


You can move a snake 24-42 hours after it eats. If she was fed on Tuesday, then she can be moved now. I would try to get her ASAP.
I would be so angry if anyone did that to my animals. You paid for her care, so it is unacceptable that she was neglected so badly.

If you text them and they continue to ignore you, I would just knock on their door. "Hey guys! I sent a few texts, but never heard back. I had time, so I came to pick up my snake."

She's a normal and my husband only paid like $50 for her. He wouldn't let me take the legal road. I just want my girl back. I was able to pick her up when I saw her and she was as sweet as can be to me. As soon as she smelled and saw my friend she tried to strike at him. I had to really hold onto her. I am really mad about this. I asked when her cage was last cleaned and he said I don't remember. Ive been playing my computer. None of the snakes or other reptiles had water. One he makes sure has food but not my girl. Shes my very first BP. She isn't anything special except to me. Shes sweet enough that I could probably take her for show and tell at an elementary school and not have her bite anyone. She has never struck at anyone before him, not even when she was hungry and it was feeding day. She could smell the rodent and would go right for it but not for me. I would also put her in a separate container for feeding and hold the rodent well to make sure it couldn't get her. Yes I feed live and am very careful. He just through the last rat in with her. Thank goodness she was really hungry or it could have hurt her. I am still so mad about this. When I get her back she will stay in her travel carrier for a while so I can sterilize her enclosure and make sure I get it clean before putting her in it. She never had a dirty cage before going to them. It was clean, didn't smell or anything. Now I am afraid of her having mites.

Most of us feed live rats with no issue. Nothing is wrong with it.
Just make sure the rat is well fed and watered, calm, and an appropriate size (not overly large. Large live rats are dangerous). Do not leave it unattended for extended periods of time. The most snake-rat related injuries are from people forgetting feeders in with their snake for hours to days and the rat gets hungry and goes for the only other thing in the cage (the snake). Rats rarely just attack for attacking.
I like to keep a chop stick in hand and stick it into the rats' mouth if it's in a position to bite during a coil.


Good luck!
Keep us posted. I hope you can get her back soon.

I use to have really long forceps I would hold the nape of the rats neck with then let her grab it. I would also continue holding it till it was unconscious. It was safer for her I never left the room till she started eating it. That way I knew she wasn't going to get bitten. Like I said shes my first and I was very careful with her. I was talking with my husband last night and he said if they don't give her back then start saving my money and get the morph I want. I want her though lol. She is dark with very pretty blushing and very crazy pattern. The sweetest little girl. I worked hard to make and keep her sweet. You could even mess with her mouth without her moving and getting mad. I did finally get a text evidently really late last night saying they would bring her back. Thinking of going later this morning to see if they really let me. I am going to soak her and bleach the crud out of that tank. They have all of my reptile stuff. Except her carry container. I wonder what condition that stuff will be in.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

I am going to soak her and bleach the crud out of that tank. They have all of my reptile stuff. Except her carry container. I wonder what condition that stuff will be in.

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Just get the snake...forget the equipment. Get her new equipment. Based on what you said, all the equipment is going to be filthy anyways.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

Just get the snake...forget the equipment. Get her new equipment. Based on what you said, all the equipment is going to be filthy anyways.

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I agree I know its expensive but if they are being difficult in regards to you getting the snake back I would try and make the process as quick as possible. Look on CL for tanks see if you can get one after work today, grab the snake and go.

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I have looked on CL and they had 10 gal but nothing else. I did get new substate when I got the rats and I don't get paid till Friday. I can't get anything till then. So I need some stuff from them to start. I am going to ask if I can get her this morning because we are supposed to get some nasty weather this afternoon. I do have my heating pad for my back I can place under her carrier so she stays warm and going to keep her in the bathroom till I can get her in a permanent cage. That room is warm and humid. I will also after getting her installed in a fresh clean cage feed her Friday night. Then not mess with her for a while. I can't afford to feed her and their reptiles, plus all my 4 legged brats. I am going to have to budget things for a while till I have her fed up and in an appropriate enclosure. Ugh this still pisses me off just thinking about it. I WILL get her back. If I have to play dirty I will too. If I have to call aspca on them I will. Like I said they were supposed to teach me how to care for her. Thank you everyone on here and the web for care sheets on bp care. That's where I learned how to care for her.

Buy a locking tub from Walmart or Lowes. They are much cheaper than a tank. Easier to transport too. In a pinch I have found that a heat lamp will warm them just fine as well. Super easy to make a temporary home.

After you feed her she should stop striking, its most likely because she is hungry. Go with the tub they work great and are real easy to transport. A hand warmer can help with heat during transport, you can put it up high on a shelf to help with the heat at home. Good luck keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by jeanus

After you feed her she should stop striking, its most likely because she is hungry. Go with the tub they work great and are real easy to transport. A hand warmer can help with heat during transport, you can put it up high on a shelf to help with the heat at home. Good luck keep us posted.

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Hand warmers are good buy make sure to put it inside a pair of socks tied off. They can get really hot.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

I have looked on CL and they had 10 gal but nothing else. I did get new substate when I got the rats and I don't get paid till Friday. I can't get anything till then. So I need some stuff from them to start. I am going to ask if I can get her this morning because we are supposed to get some nasty weather this afternoon. I do have my heating pad for my back I can place under her carrier so she stays warm and going to keep her in the bathroom till I can get her in a permanent cage. That room is warm and humid. I will also after getting her installed in a fresh clean cage feed her Friday night. Then not mess with her for a while. I can't afford to feed her and their reptiles, plus all my 4 legged brats. I am going to have to budget things for a while till I have her fed up and in an appropriate enclosure. Ugh this still pisses me off just thinking about it. I WILL get her back. If I have to play dirty I will too. If I have to call aspca on them I will. Like I said they were supposed to teach me how to care for her. Thank you everyone on here and the web for care sheets on bp care. That's where I learned how to care for her.

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Why do you have to feed their reptiles? As far as I can tell your agreement is over.. Your back, you get your snake... You feed your snake.

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Go get her, leave the stuff. She's outgrown her tank and if her other stuff is being used by other animals it would be a PITA to clean it all up anyway. I'd also forgo getting a tank as a tub would be cheaper and easier to maintain.

I agree with buying a tub. An under the bed tub, maybe a smaller one assuming she will be small, with a locking lid, and a large heat mat is all you need. If you want the snake you should go over with a pillow case and take her with you when you leave. If you think she will turn you in for theft make sure you have all the correspondences stating that it was your snake and she was caring for it until you got back. Also take pictures of the condition it was in and the condition it is now.

I'm not so sure taking legal action would be a good route unless absolutely necessary, you may not get the snake back this way either. The authorities may see you as just as incompetent/responsible for leaving the snake in bad hands and not checking on its well being for 2 years. It's a bad situation, but in the end you did give the snake to them. They have every right under the law to keep it (at least in Iowa). I don't know every state's law, but in Iowa they made borrowing/loaning/caring a matter between you and the person. If you don't trust someone to borrow or care for something of yours you better not give it to them. The law says you willingly gave them that item and they can borrow it indefinitely. I'm assuming most states, if not all, have this law. The police don't have time to clean up poor judgment calls on friends.

Also in Iowa stealing your own item back is still theft. It sucks, but be aware of that. We had an issue with that in the family. The owner (our family member) stole his trailer back from the borrower, it was registered to him and everything, and the borrower turned him in for theft and he (the owner) was arrested.

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I have a locking tub to carry her in but its too small to live in. I am getting the cage half log, and water bowl she has right now not the stuff that is now in with the other snakes and reptiles. I am going to boil the dish and half log then put the cage into a tub scrub it and then fill it with bleach water in the other bathroom than what she will be in. Her tub I have is going to a temp till I get the cage clean and sanitary and can afford to get brand new stuff for her. They don't have the money to get food for the reps they have thats why I think they are "holding her hostage". They know I won't let live animals starve. I'm an animal lover. Well except certain things that scare me or are nasty and disease ridden imho. I called and asked this morning if I could come get her and they said they would bring her this afternoon. She will be without heat till I get her. As soon as I get her I will put her in warm water with a towel on my heat pad. That way she starts warming up. I am only buying 1 small rat for her on pay day. She doesn't strike at everyone. Just him. I think he didn't feed her a few times when he fed the others and shes holding a grudge and rightfully so. I put my hand right in her cage and picked her up after not being fed for 3 months with no biting. Before I left she was eating mediums every week. They said she was refusing to eat. When I brought in the rats she came right to the glass and was trying to get to the screen to get to them. I even held her with the smell of fod in the air with no problems. She snuggled with me till I brought the rat to her. Then she was all business lol. Thats not a snake that refuses to eat. Its a starving snake. After she is fed im going to leave her be till I get the new equipment for her. I am going to return what shes in and they can have everything except her new stuff. If I have to move again she is coming with me just like my 4 legged brats do. I will have to just make sure she has those hand warmers before we travel. What is a good schedule to feed her on till she gets back up to weight? I was thinking a small rat every Friday, until she can take mediums again. Then stretch it to 10 days till she is sleek and comfy unless shes shedding.

Honestly if they can't afford the animals they shouldn't have pets, and it is NOT your responsibility to feed theirs. I know its harsh, but taking some type of action against the condition of their animals, whether it be refusing to buy their rats or all the way up to calling animal control, is really the best thing for the animals, in my opinion. And if they decide not to feed their 8 snakes because they can't be responsible enough to care for the pets they have, its on them if they die, not you.

These seem like good people to cut all ties with and go on your own way once you have your girl back.

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I don't usually coddle people so with that disclaimer. ..

You need to get your snake back and then call animal control on them. YOU are just as irresponsible as they are if you don't report them.

You're overthinking this. Your snake will be just fine without heat and such for a couple weeks. Get it back NOW and stop the excuses. If you are so broke that you can't spend $15-20 on a tank, rehome your snake to someone who can. I assume you can feed your mammals, so I don't buy that you cant find the money to care for your snake. If you seriously can't, find it a new home.

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Also, I suggest not putting her in a warm bath right away. Its best to gradually warm up a cold reptile. Heating up too fast(like suddenly being cold to hot) can shock the system.

Is there a reason why they want to bring her instead of you picking her up? That's a little odd........


And a tank for an adult does not cost $15-20. They are probably closer to $70+.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Also, I suggest not putting her in a warm bath right away. Its best to gradually warm up a cold reptile. Heating up too fast(like suddenly being cold to hot) can shock the system.

Is there a reason why they want to bring her instead of you picking her up? That's a little odd........


And a tank for an adult does not cost $15-20. They are probably closer to $70+.

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I was thinking the same about the warm bath. Thank you for confirming.
:)

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Also, I suggest not putting her in a warm bath right away. Its best to gradually warm up a cold reptile. Heating up too fast(like suddenly being cold to hot) can shock the system.

Is there a reason why they want to bring her instead of you picking her up? That's a little odd........


And a tank for an adult does not cost $15-20. They are probably closer to $70+.

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I meant to put tub, not tank. A Sterilite tub big enough for an adult shouldn't be more than that.

I clearly need more coffee.

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Originally Posted by Bugmom

I meant to put tub, not tank. A Sterilite tub big enough for an adult shouldn't be more than that.

I clearly need more coffee.

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That makes more sense. :p

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Just wrote a long reply and it logged me out lol. Now what I said was I havea tub but I don't think its big enough. I used it for baths and transport to the vets. She'll have everything she needs to be happy come pay day. I will put her in the tub with water and paper towels till Friday on a heat pad. I want her in a larger enclosure I'm going to get a 36x18x18 would prefer a 36x24x18 but can't find one. Also looking at an umder substrate heat cable with thermostat, 2 hides new water dish and decor to make her more secure. Im of the opinion bigger is better for this sweet girl. On the matter of them bringing her I think its the fact that ive said something about the smell and dirty cages and 1 of their dogs doesnt like my 2 yr old son. My son has never been bitten except by a mosquito. I am afraid this dog would carry the growl to the next step. Also with my son there they cant smoke in the house. I don't smoke and they do, even in the reptile room. Also forgot to say I want to do a background on 3 sides then insulation over that. That way it holds heat better. I am also going to do saran wrap over most of the screen on top to hold in humidity better.

I'm feeling worse and worse for their animals. They smoke IN their herp room?! Its amazing they haven't killed their snakes already... I still say animal control should get a call, but if that's not in your nature, these people that you call friends are not friends if they mistreated your own personal beloved pet and property for so long. Time to cut them loose, methinks. At least that's what I would do. I can't tell you to do the same since you live life differently than I live mine.

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Yes they smoke in that room. I hope they bring her soon. My nerves are beginning to get the better of me that they won't bring her and will say oh we just fed so and so. I would have to BULL#&£* real loud. I paid for their first meal in months. So she will have a bowl of water big enough to get in, paper towels, and the heat pad to slowly bring up her temp. Anything I forgot?

Wow.

You had better get her back. I am so sorry for your sh*t "friends". I can't believe how you've held your composure...

I am sort of hiding my snakes right now, in my apartment. In Ontario there is a law against refusing tenants because they have pets, or kicking them out because they have pets (thank jeebus that it is seen as discrimination); but I am still worried, so I can totally understand why you allowed someone else to care for your girl - or so you thought.

All I can say is good luck with your snake!!
I really don't have anything productive to suggest for those other people, because I know the route I would take would not be the best. ;)

Walk in, pick up your ball python, have your cell phone in your other hand with the police on speed dial..... Walk out!!! :/ x2 In respects to the notion of getting new friends.

O.o I smoke in my snake room if I am in there for a long time...Dont get me wrong its not often but If I need to burn one then I will..Its why air vents were made :P Dont make us all out to be the devil, If there is a high enough turnover rate airwise then I see nothing wrong with it, its not preferred but your snake wont die from it.

I do agree though, its yours snake show up and say I am here to pick up MY snake...Dont leave till you have it.

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Originally Posted by KING JAMES

O.o I smoke in my snake room if I am in there for a long time...Dont get me wrong its not often but If I need to burn one then I will..Its why air vents were made :P Dont make us all out to be the devil, If there is a high enough turnover rate airwise then I see nothing wrong with it, its not preferred but your snake wont die from it.

I do agree though, its yours snake show up and say I am here to pick up MY snake...Dont leave till you have it.

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I still can't say I approve, I always always step outside to smoke whether there are animals nearby or not. Can't stand smoking in the house. But I digress. I think my bigger concern in this situation is the fact that if these people can't even feed their snakes, I don't get the idea that they have a ventilated room for their animals to be in. Although, it may explain the dirty tanks and lack of attention to hygiene, if the air was circulating fast enough maybe they truly didn't notice the stank?

I don't know. Still very skeptical. This kinda crap makes me sad.

I do agree there are bigger concerns. I am one of those people the believe you can cut one corner(aka smoking in my room about once a month, on the day where I clean every tub from top to bottom) as long as everything else is well above par. Some of the things that they are doing appear to be wellll subpar. If that was my snakes I would be freaking out and wanting it back. Just wanted to put in my 2 cents LOL

Ive been waiting "patiently" since I texted and got a call back this morning that they would bring her this afternoon. Its been 8 hrs of waiting. I have patients with children and animals. Not with people that don't listen to me. Ugh I am starting to get pissed. I haven't even gotten a call or text saying they werent coming. About to call and see whats going on. Maybe if I invite them for dinner they will come and bring her. Guess I shouldn't be in such a hurry. By the way for the smoker on here. You don't smoke all the time nor really heavily in your rept room right. You also have good ventilation in there. They don't have good ventilation and they smoke heavily in there. The room is like a sauna in summer and cold in the winter with no air flow except when they ppen the door to go in and out. I will just feel a lot better when she is back under my care and management.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Also, I suggest not putting her in a warm bath right away. Its best to gradually warm up a cold reptile. Heating up too fast(like suddenly being cold to hot) can shock the system.

Is there a reason why they want to bring her instead of you picking her up? That's a little odd........


And a tank for an adult does not cost $15-20. They are probably closer to $70+.

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Tanks of every size can be found at yard sales every weekend around here for a few bucks...a lot of them look almost unused. Lots of people get a fish or two and then store the empty tank when the fish die and the novelty wears off...

Sheis back home and in her temp holding pen lol. Yes its a tub. There was all kinds of poop and shed in that cage she was in. She is loving the fresh warm water in a bowl sje can climb into and warmth. I cant wait till my son is asleep and o can start scrubbing this nasty thing. About to start boiling the "furniture" that was in with her too. She already looks happier. Man am I happy too. She will be fed on Friday so that will be about 10 days give or take since her last feeding. Just this little I did tonight since her coming home has already made her happy. I do have a towel over her to keep her from freaking out over a new place and to keep my son from trying to mess with her.

So happy she's home. Were there any words between you and your "friends" at her return?

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Glad she's back in your care :) man this was a crazy roller coaster ride for you guys! Glad it's all over now.


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No words except that he was mad I didn't lock her cage after feeding her. I wasn't the one that put the rat in there. I just finished scrubbing her cage with clorox clean up and rinsing it WELL. Put the new clean substrate and after boiling and then scrubbing the furniture put it in then put her in and she went bollistic. She has a clean hide clean water bowl with fresh water and wet moss in the hide. She warmed up nicely while I ate dinner and got my son ready for bed then her stuff cleaned. She pooped in the tub so that has to be sterilized. She has a heat pad with rheostat, and went into her hide woth a little nudging from me. I put a light blanket over jer cage to keep the cat from bothering her. I have a plastic water bowl she was curled in the tub in there. Its clean was an extra for trips with dog. I am going to wait a few days before I do anything besides check on her and change the water. She started to coil and uncoil around the soft clean substrate right away. They had reptibark in there before which isnt as soft. Shes a creature of comfort like me lol. I am all smiles tonight.

So glad it worked out!

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I am so glad to hear this ended well.

On the note of your "friends", some people should never be allowed to have animals. Or children for that matter...

Yes the emotional circus is over. I now just have to wait till Friday and start getting the appropriate enclosure and items for her to be really happy. Also food. She is already acting like she's hungry when I checked on her a few min ago. She also moved her hide lol. After this little wait on food for her the meals will be more reliable. Dang I hate moving. It always costs so muchto get everything sorted at the "new" place. I guess I should have been saving up for a new enclosure way before this but I also thought I would be getting all her equipment in the same condition I left it. I have priced out most of the stuff and its around $350. Not including the insulation for the outside of the enclosure.

Glad to hear you got her back!

I am new to this forum, and to BPs, and I read every nailbiting post in this thread, hoping and hoping that it would end with you getting your baby back. So glad this had a happy ending!

^ same here! read every word. so happy you got your baby back!!
hope she and your family is doing fine xx