Trying to look for someone to take care of my 3 snakes while I'm leaving....

Hi guys! I need to leave the US for around 3 weeks probably in February, I have two lovely ball pythons and a baby Suriname boa, I have no friends who can take care of them. May I know what would be a good way to take care of them? I live in Fairfax, VA. They may be OK without food for 3 weeks, but they can't live without fresh water for 3 weeks:(. Is there any method I can use to leave them at home? Or may I know is anyone willing to help me taking care of them for around 3 weeks? I have their rats and substrates and will drive them to your places. I'm willing to pay. Thank you so much guys!

Maybe see if any of your local exotic vets would be willing to board them?

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Originally Posted by Luvyna

Maybe see if any of your local exotic vets would be willing to board them?

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Thank you so much! I kind of worried because it seems a public places? And many sick snakes and other reptiles visit there everyday, I'm kind of worried about it.:please:

I had good luck using Rover to find a pet/house sitter. That may be an option if you can find someone comfortable with reptiles to come in once a day (or even every other) to check on the snakes.

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

I had good luck using Rover to find a pet/house sitter. That may be an option if you can find someone comfortable with reptiles to come in once a day (or even every other) to check on the snakes.

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Thank you so much for your help! Seems a great website! May I know do they have options that I leave my snakes at their places? Not very convenient to have someone come to my place:please: Ah I just did a search, so should I just try to ask the people individually?

That could be an option if you'd be comfortable moving your setups to someone else's home. Probably a bit cheaper as well. You can also search by distance to try to find someone close to you.

What I like about Rover is that you are able to message people individually (you can just plan out your message then copy and paste it to multiple people). I found someone who lived 3 miles away from me who was willing to just stay at our house (since we had reptiles, cats, dogs). I met her first to do an interview and make sure we both felt comfortable.

Not everyone is comfortable going that route, but I had success with it.

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

That could be an option if you'd be comfortable moving your setups to someone else's home. Probably a bit cheaper as well. You can also search by distance to try to find someone close to you.

What I like about Rover is that you are able to message people individually (you can just plan out your message then copy and paste it to multiple people). I found someone who lived 3 miles away from me who was willing to just stay at our house (since we had reptiles, cats, dogs). I met her first to do an interview and make sure we both felt comfortable.

Not everyone is comfortable going that route, but I had success with it.

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Thank you so much! I'll try to reach them! Ah I really hope to find someone from our forum, people here are true snakes lovers!:P

I would ask at veterinarian offices (preferably exotics), maybe a vet tech would like to do a bit of "moonlighting" & babysit your snakes. They work in the day,
& certainly your snakes only need minor attention in the evenings. There are also herp societies & reptile rescues in your state, you might also check with them.
Good luck!

(I wouldn't be comfortable letting a stranger in my house to do this when I was away either-do your best to check references)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I would ask at veterinarian offices (preferably exotics), maybe a vet tech would like to do a bit of "moonlighting" & babysit your snakes. They work in the day,
& certainly your snakes only need minor attention in the evenings. There are also herp societies & reptile rescues in your state, you might also check with them.
Good luck!

(I wouldn't be comfortable letting a stranger in my house to do this when I was away either-do your best to check references)

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Thank you so much! I'll try that! I'm currently vary nervous, because if there's any visa delay, I may not be able to come back in 3 weeks......and my mom is trying to ask me to rehome my snakes because if she's really scared of them and she may come back with me... I just don't know what to do...I love them so much and really raise them from babies ...

Do you have a friend that could pop in a couple times to give them water? If their temps are dialed in and controlled with a thermostat, they should be fine. And won’t need to be fed. They really just need a water refill.

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Originally Posted by Team Slytherin

Do you have a friend that could pop in a couple times to give them water? If their temps are dialed in and controlled with a thermostat, they should be fine. And won’t need to be fed. They really just need a water refill.

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Hi! Unfortunately I don't have such a friend:(.

[QUOTE=alice40604345;2724628]

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

Thank you so much! I'll try that! I'm currently vary nervous, because if there's any visa delay, I may not be able to come back in 3 weeks......and my mom is trying to ask me to rehome my snakes because if she's really scared of them and she may come back with me... I just don't know what to do...I love them so much and really raise them from babies ...

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I'm assuming you're an adult, & as such, I wouldn't let your mom, no matter how much you love her, dictate your pet choices. I've changed so many people's minds about
snakes doing programs & "meet & greets" with my friendly snakes- most of the fear is in people's heads & when they meet the real thing, assuming your pets are reasonably calm, that fear often melts away. Either way, it's not right for her to expect you to give up pets that you "love...so much and raised from babies". I hope your situation all works out OK & you aren't delayed returning. And I sure hope you don't re-home your snakes. (don't fall for any 'guilt trips' lol...you have a right to enjoy what YOU enjoy!)

:please: Hi guys! Sorry for a second post. I'm in a complicated situation. I have 2 lovely ball pythons and a baby boa. I have to leave the US for around 3 weeks, but if there's any delay of my visa, may be longer. I'm trying to find someone who can make sure my snakes have fresh water and clean enclosure while I leave... you don't need to feed them if I can come back around 3 weeks. I'm willing to pay and I'll drive my snakes with their setup to your home. I live in Fairfax, VA. Thank you so much guys! I'm really nervous. I really learn a lot from this forum and people here are real snake lovers!

If I wasn't so far away I'd take them but I'm in Colorado. Best of luck!! I hope someone can take care of your sweet noodles!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'm assuming you're an adult, & as such, I wouldn't let your mom, no matter how much you love her, dictate your pet choices. I've changed so many people's minds about
snakes doing programs & "meet & greets" with my friendly snakes- most of the fear is in people's heads & when they meet the real thing, assuming your pets are reasonably calm, that fear often melts away. Either way, it's not right for her to expect you to give up pets that you "love...so much and raised from babies". I hope your situation all works out OK & you aren't delayed returning. And I sure hope you don't re-home your snakes. (don't fall for any 'guilt trips' lol...you have a right to enjoy what YOU enjoy!)

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Thank you so much! I just calm down and argue with my mom. I'm going to keep them!
And still haven't find someone who can take care of them when I leave. Super nervous!:( I was even thinking about asking people in reptile show......

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Originally Posted by Southpaw91

If I wasn't so far away I'd take them but I'm in Colorado. Best of luck!! I hope someone can take care of your sweet noodles!

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Thank you so much!! You're really nice! I really hope I can find someone before I leave...

If you search reptile rescues, I think there's a few in Virginia...people working there might be willing to 'babysit' your snakes. Stay calm & think positive.

Likewise...I'm too far away & my house is too full, lol. (19 snakes already & 2 dogs)

Here are pics of my babies:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...echatimg5.jpeghttps://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...echatimg6.jpeghttps://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...echatimg7.jpeg

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Likewise...I'm too far away & my house is too full, lol. (19 snakes already & 2 dogs)

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Thank you so much!!:oops: I'll never give up!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

If you search reptile rescues, I think there's a few in Virginia...people working there might be willing to 'babysit' your snakes. Stay calm & think positive.

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Thank you so much! I'll try this also! You're so nice!

Here are pics of my babies:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...echatimg7.jpeghttps://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...echatimg6.jpeghttps://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...echatimg5.jpeg

They're so precious! :love:

sweet noodle babies!! if I were closer to you I would definitely help you out. :(

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

They're so precious! :love:

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Thank you so much!!

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Originally Posted by Southpaw91

sweet noodle babies!! if I were closer to you I would definitely help you out. :(

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Thank you so much! I wish we are closer!:(

Yeah I live in Idaho or I would help :P

Do your friends know you keep snakes? The reactions of mine vary, but the last time I travelled I asked my friends who thought snakes were interesting if they'd be willing to check on the house and the snakes for a bit of cash. One said yes, so I taught her how to change water, use the temp gun to check temperatures and other things to look out for. Had her handle them too, just so she could if someone made a break for the doors. She came over three or four times a week.

Not a good idea if you keep giants though, or something very nippy. In that case I'd look on Rover or other bonded/insured pet sitting services for someone experienced with snakes.

Where in Fairfax are you at?

If in the Centreville area Try here https://deepwoodveterinaryclinic.com/ That's the vet I use, they do boarding and have told me last year they will board snakes.


If in the Fair Oaks area try https://pendervet.com/exotics/boarding/ No personal experience with them, but they do snake boarding. Maybe someone can comment on them.

Good news guys! A nice person I met long ago in a reptile expo is willing to take care of them! My small boa is sometimes cage aggressive...I kind of worried if it bites her...she owes big boas though...

Good news guys! A nice person I met long ago in a reptile expo is willing to take care of them!

Good deal, hope all goes well.

Happy :pinkele: Dancing for you- all the best! ("cage aggressive boa"...bah! just being a boa! Always hungry... ;) )

Yay!

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