So upset!

[Running Elk]

If I didn't think your neighbours might dislike snakes, I'd say tell them and get them all involved in trying to get the maintence guy fired. Any chance any would side with you?

I have one set of neighbors I really like. They may not want to get involved though. I do plan on asking them how they feel about this company and if anything bizarre has happened to them.

I live in a poor neighborhood because it's cheap, but also isolated and doesn't have a lot of really sketchy traffic: it's a strangely safe neighborhood tucked away behind a college. However, there are issues with tenants (some of my neighbors) who don't/cannot pay rent, people that move in and just leave because they can't afford it, and people who do fairly benign illegal activities on their homes. These things don't harm anyone non-consenting and don't harm me, so I don't personally care. But it baffles me that I, one of their older and most reliable tenants, is being theoretically put under fire. The more I read about illegal animal seizures done by AR people the more I feel ill.

As if it's not bad enough, my state is home to the PETA headquarters.

On the flip side, it's looking like (from what I've found researching) most animal seizures that DO happen in my state are for truly worthy cases; actual undisputed neglect and abuse. They say VA is pretty lax/reasonable about animal laws.

I'm really hoping this just goes away. I fixed the concern they had for damaged property, I really hope that was the main concern. I feel like her stating that she the animals looked "extremely well cared for" is a less than bad sign. My house is not the tidiest, but it's by no means super messy either. My animals have a tidier space than I do; I keep them, especially the snakes, pristine. I clearly have the financial capabilities to take care of my pets, and my pets all get vet care and the best food I can buy (I'm a nut about animal nutrition, my dog eats the best food readily available). So I'm really hoping there won't be some kind of issue.

My fear of course is, AR people are dishonest and not fueled by logic, but rather an agenda that would like to see my (or anyone's) snakes and rabbits euthanized over being in a loving home.

I really am probably jumping the gun hugely on all of this. God, I just feel so violated, I can't shake the discomfort of it. I think that's what's driving all of these irrational fears and conclusions; I just feel so violated and therefore unsafe. I have a SERIOUS anxiety disorder, and this situation has caused me immeasurable stress and distress. Privacy equals a sense of safety and security to me; having it violated is seriously troubling to my psyche. Feeling safe, secure, and stable are vital to my mental health, and that's one reason I've stayed here and not moved in the past; it's traditionally been relaxed and worked with me and my pets very readily and kindly. I don't feel safe, secure, or stable right now; I'm worried I'm going to be "punished" in some way (even if it's just not having my lease renewed and given only 30 days to figure it out, and my lease lapses my finals week, so that's an entirely new level of stress and worrying), I feel like if I seek maintenance I have to be afraid that they'll send some creep who will either antagonize my pets or make lewd remarks, and I don't feel secure because I'm living in stress having to deal with all of this. It's all very disturbing to me. Because of my lease this shouldn't be a discussion I have to have with them.