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

[Falconsmith]

Background info:
This may get a little lengthy.
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:


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 ). 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:


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.

[Elise.m]

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?

[Falconsmith]

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.

[Elise.m]

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

[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

[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

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.

[Falconsmith]

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

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.

[wolfy-hound]

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.

[Elise.m]

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

Now that's clever, lol.

[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.