Are your snakes in your will? If they outlive you what then?

I am curious as to whether other BP owners have thought about “after death planning” with regard to their animals. I am in my forties, when I read they can live 20 to 40 years in captivity that caused me concern. I finally succumbed to the desire to have a BP and got one, but realistically I may not outlive this snake. Do other BP owners think about this?

Do the mature keepers (i.e this question would not apply to most 22 year olds) have plans regarding who will care for your snake/s should they outlive you? Are there herp groups that help with this sort of planning?

I imagine they would be passed on to the next generation. Either that be other breeders up and coming, or their own children taking them (if they like them).

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I imagine they would be passed on to the next generation. Either that be other breeders up and coming, or their own children taking them (if they like them).

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If people have a lot of snakes and know breeders, or participate in shows or whatever that is probably the case. But for the people that have one or two snakes, I would be worried that their family members would hand the snake off to a local pet store where it might be the "toy of the week" for some bored 17 year old.

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Originally Posted by Sonya610

If people have a lot of snakes and know breeders, or participate in shows or whatever that is probably the case. But for the people that have one or two snakes, I would be worried that their family members would hand the snake off to a local pet store where it might be the "toy of the week" for some bored 17 year old.

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LOL, 17 year olds can be responsible pet owners!

I think in those cases where they don't know a community exists, the families will most likely give it to a rescue group if the owner hasn't already made arrangements with a local society.

For me, the internet is here with the HUGE community of reptile lovers. Finding others in the herp community that are ready and willing to take on your loved pets is the only thing I can think of.

There are herp societies and forums where people are always there to help. :)

My sister and brother-in-law (experienced herpers themselves) have already agreed to provide him a good home if I get abducted by aliens, etc. The same goes for Mike, my crested gecko. In a pinch my parents can fill in, too. They love my pets. :)

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

LOL, 17 year olds can be responsible pet owners!

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Yes, some surely are. That 14 year old that was giving anti-biotic injections to his female with the respiratory infection, very fine example of responsible teenagers. But others are not so sensitive.

I guess the topic came up because I expressed to my mother that I was worried about after death planning, and she said "well a pet store would take it!" Finding a club or group and leaving instructions is the best idea I suppose.

hey im 16 and i rescued a boa with RI and gave it a round of antibiotics. it doesnt matter how old you are as long as u care about what ur doin =]

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Originally Posted by Thor26

hey im 16 and i rescued a boa with RI and gave it a round of antibiotics. it doesnt matter how old you are as long as u care about what ur doin =]

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Yes, there are very responsible young people. Often the direct product of responsible, animal loving parents (vet bills can get pricey).

I guess I was affected by a story a few years back, a male acquaintance heard I wanted a ball python and told me that they were very "cool" snakes. Apparently his friend had one and they would wear it as a "belt" in nightclubs to amaze people. That story always stuck in my head, yes I realize 17 year olds cannot get into night clubs but hopefully you can see my point. It was just a horrid thought, and scared me.

Forgive me for showing age bias, but realistically some behaviors are far more common among younger individuals. It is hard to imagine older people doing such a thing (it happens, but it is not nearly as common).

ooh thats awful and i understand alot of kids are that way i just wanted to make sure you understood its noy the age its the person =]

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Originally Posted by Sonya610

Yes, there are very responsible young people. Often the direct product of responsible, animal loving parents (vet bills can get pricey).

I guess I was affected by a story a few years back, a male acquaintance heard I wanted a ball python and told me that they were very "cool" snakes. Apparently his friend had one and they would wear it as a "belt" in nightclubs to amaze people. That story always stuck in my head, yes I realize 17 year olds cannot get into night clubs but hopefully you can see my point. It was just a horrid thought, and scared me.

Forgive me for showing age bias, but realistically some behaviors are far more common among younger individuals. It is hard to imagine older people doing such a thing (it happens, but it is not nearly as common).

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I am directing you towards this link..
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...threadid=68716

Just... whoa.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I am directing you towards this link..
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...threadid=68716

Just... whoa.

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Yeah. : (

I saw that link earlier today and it inspired me to post the question about future planning. To try to keep an animal safe and healthy, and then think it could fall into the hands of an individual like that...ugh. Not good at all.

i noe i wish he would respond im seriously concerned for the snake

Thor26 the user may not respond, they may have been driven off. Sad but true, there are some messed up people in the world, and one can't fix them all.

I have several people already in line for my animals, and vice versa.

I am the sole heir to a Tegu and a pair of Boas, if it ever comes down to it. I was asked to do this as a friend, and I am absolutely honored and plan to do well by these animals if the time ever comes that they are in need of my care.

I honestly think it is a great sign of respect to be asked.. I never thought I would be.

Heather, I'd let you take my Iguana and my BP if something ever happened to me. I dont know anyone that would be able to provide the proper care for my animals. My gf knows the care but i dont think she would be able to handle all of it. haha

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Originally Posted by Lewdogg3

Heather, I'd let you take my Iguana and my BP if something ever happened to me. I dont know anyone that would be able to provide the proper care for my animals. My gf knows the care but i dont think she would be able to handle all of it. haha

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LOL!!!

Awwwww :aww: Thanks, Lewie :D

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

LOL!!!

Awwwww :aww: Thanks, Lewie :D

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Haha not a problem.. Hopefully i get more snakes before that happens :(

Were young yet.. even if our youngest snake lives to be 20 that would put us at 44. If we ever pass and the snakes need to go somewhere im really not sure where they would go... as we get older our children are going to take a big part in our hobby, hopefully take over things eventually.

My snakes, and all pets, are in the trust we have that protects our ranch and everything on it.
I think it's smart to protect one's estate from probate and smart to protect one's estate from governmental control via taxes and what have you.

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Originally Posted by starmom

My snakes, and all pets, are in the trust we have that protects our ranch and everything on it.
I think it's smart to protect one's estate from probate and smart to protect one's estate from governmental control via taxes and what have you.

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Very good planning!

I am 53 and my snakes are less than a year old. My 12 yo grandson has always wants a snake but has to wait like most kids. By the time it becomes necessary he will be ready to take over the care of mine.

Please don't wait to plan. A 20 year old person can be killed in a car wreck just as surely as a 98 year old can die in their sleep of old age!
My pets are outlined in my will specifically as to who gets them and their associated equipment. I have asked the person if they are willing to take my snakes, should I die(of anything! LOL).
I cannot read the thread that the link is to, what is going on? Could someone pm me and let me know?
Thanks! This is a GOOD thread, but EVERYONE with pets shoudl think of having a will stating exactly what should be done with all pets. Update your will frequently if needed to reflect new reptiles, or a different person, should the original person become unavailable(they could move out of country, or into a apartment with a no pets policy).

I read and posted to that thread earlier today, but it is down now. Maybe the mods removed it?

A person was posting that their very docile, 5 year old snake bit them while they were sleeping. Turns out they were keeping the snakes in their bed, loose, at night, and wearing it as an attraction at a carnival or some such thing. Not a good situation.

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Originally Posted by Sonya610

I read and posted to that thread earlier today, but it is down now. Maybe the mods removed it?

A person was posting that their very docile, 5 year old snake bit them while they were sleeping. Turns out they were keeping the snakes in their bed, loose, at night, and wearing it as an attraction at a carnival or some such thing. Not a good situation.

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Its in the Quarantine Room. You need to ask for permission to access that particular area.

I dont have a will set up, seeing as im 16 i really havnt thought about it...

i have told both my parents, and the friend in question, if the snakes outlive me, they will be going to my friend Cory, basically because he is the guy who got me into snakes, and the one person i feel is fit to care for them, he also has the same burning passion for my snakes that i do =]

i should prolly figure something out just for the snakes, because thats the only thing i own that is importiant to me... everything else i will let people fight over =] for now any way

I do not have anything officially in writing, but my partner knows my wishes, as do my family.

A few select snake friends would get first crack at my snakes. No charges or payments. Just other people I know that are as passionate about their snakes and that I would trust to take good care of mine.

But depending on when it happens, we are grooming the next generation of young herpers. So far my 5 year old niece Mathilde is the best hope.

She comes into the house and does not ask to see me, rather she bursts through the door and wants to know "ou est la pythone!!!"

It may sound harsh, but I would have my snakes euthanized after my death before I would let any of them end up on either Craigslist or a pet store.

But I am fortunate, in that I know my partner would have support systems in place to place the snakes and reptiles before it ever came to that. As would my family... yes, I have a list of names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of people that I know would facillitate in finding my legless friends appropriate homes.

I think contingency plans are critical for any animal in your care. Being able to talk to people in your life and knowing who would care for your animals should you die is critical.

Bruce

I really need to get formal documents set up. I would prefer that herp collection be looked at by some select snake friends for what they wanted to keep. After that, the collection would probably go to one of them to manage which animals would be sold.

My family is not knowledgeable when it comes to this hobby or my invert hobby at all. The inverts would go through the same process, but they would go to a breeder I know well for further resale/collection holding. My parents could keep my cat though.

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Originally Posted by Sonya610

Yes, some surely are. That 14 year old that was giving anti-biotic injections to his female with the respiratory infection, very fine example of responsible teenagers. But others are not so sensitive.

I guess the topic came up because I expressed to my mother that I was worried about after death planning, and she said "well a pet store would take it!" Finding a club or group and leaving instructions is the best idea I suppose.

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yay me! woop! lol

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I am directing you towards this link..
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...threadid=68716

Just... whoa.

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Why can't the link open. It doesn't work.

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Originally Posted by pythontricker

Why can't the link open. It doesn't work.

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QT room as well?

Yeah Ladyohhh said it was moved to the QT room. Pythontricker if you missed that thread that is just as well, it would have just upset you.

Anyway, in my case none of my family members would be suitable caretakers, but it does seem there are a lot of other boid keepers in the ATL metro area, so that is a good thing. I should go to some shows and do a bit of networking.

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Originally Posted by Sonya610

Yeah Ladyohhh said it was moved to the QT room. Pythontricker if you missed that thread that is just as well, it would have just upset you.

Anyway, in my case none of my family members would be suitable caretakers, but it does seem there are a lot of other boid keepers in the ATL metro area, so that is a good thing. I should go to some shows and do a bit of networking.

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NOOOOOOO! LOL what was it about