you may get lucky and find a pied ball python in newspaper classifieds, reptile rescues, humane societies etc....but it would be very rare to find a valuable pet for next to nothing cost wise. It could happen, it has happened and it may happen again, but you definitely have to do your homework. You will have to browse every newspaper ad you can get your hands on, even real estate auctions. Sometimes they have unwanted pets and one of them may be a pied.

Talk with all the rescues in your area, including humane societies. Tell them you are interested in a ball python (show them pictures of what a pied ball python looks like). Thus if one comes into their hands, they will think to call you first (make your presence well known, so that your name comes up first). Same with reptile rescues, local reptile zoos, etc. Some will be happy to let you know when they hear of somebody who doesn't know better, trying to dump their unwanted pet into the hands of a zoo or rescue, and they could call you about it, so you can have the opportunity.

Definitely present yourself well, make sure you know as much as possible about ball python care (if they think you are a novice, a zoo etc, may not want to suggest a person contact you to take care of an unwanted pet, if it is just going to go into another bad situation). Also be prepared on that lucky day, when somebody does want to get rid of their pied that it may not be healthy at all. It may need vet care right away, and vet care can cost alot, depending on how bad the snake is.
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PHLdyPayne

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