Going without the food for the week or two isn't a huge issue if it's only that once or twice a year. I wouldn't neccisarily recommend feeding it large meals or any meals just before you leave. Garters have high metobolizms so it could be sitting in its own fecies that whole time which, not neccisarily would, but could develop some issues. I had to deal with a rescue that had minor scale rot from an unclean tank.
It would be best to have someone at least check in on it while you are gone but it sounds like that might not be an option. I would say to not feed it the week before you left to hopefully have it's bowels cleaned out before you left. I would only recommend this with a well established heathy adult too. Not a hatchling or young snake.
The three months is the big issue. It would be best to know you have a secured sitter during that time. Having a local friend might even be an option but even if you have thy it would be best to know there is some kinda business sitter you can use if need be. Friends can bail out. Business will tend to always take in your animals if it's something they normally do. It would suck but if you don't have care for it during the three months(and to know it would be available each year)it would probably be best by to get the animal.
Reply With Quote