KDAF (Fort Worth, Texas) 25 April 11 Fort Worth Humane Society Burdened by 79 Seized Snakes (Doug Magditch)

Fort Worth: The Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) is stuck with dozens of snakes that it says it can't afford to take care of. So, it's asking for the community's help.

The Wood County Sheriff's Office seized 79 snakes as part of an animal abuse case in east Texas. It says they were raised by David Beauchemin, a fugitive snake breeder from Louisiana. He is currently being held in the Wood County Jail.

Deputies found the snakes severly dehydrated and malnourished last week. Now, they're in Fort Worth, until the breeder has his day in court.

"It seems like problems with exotic animals are on the rise," said Tammy Hawley, the operations director at HSNT.

In a room built for housing exotic animals, HSNT is full of more snakes than it's ever had. Staff are still shaking their heads in disbelief.

"When they do get exotic snakes as pets, these aren't the ones they get," said Shelly Meeks, who's been caring for the snakes.

None of the snakes are venemous, but that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. They're all boa constrictors, pythons, and anacondas. Because they were rarely handled, staff is having a difficult time caring for them.

"Now that (the snakes) are feeling better, it's becoming more difficult for the staff, because they're becoming more mobile," said Hawley.

For the non-profit organization, the snakes couldn't have come at a worse time. HSNT is packed with animals every spring.

"It's draining our resources. We're having to have specific staff allotted to this area every day. Much of the needs are things we didn't have here in stock," said Hawley.

Staff has been making daily trips to hardware stores for supplies. Each day, it spends about $300 caring for the snakes. So, HSNT is asking for money and anything to keep the snakes wet and warm. The room needs to stay at 80 - 90 degrees.

If you're one of those who's thinkin, 'snakes are creepy, why should I care?' Think about where the resources are coming from. Among the other animals at HSNT: puppies.

"We realize that (the snakes) are not necessarily warm and fuzzy little creatures. But, if we receive some help it leaves us resources for some of the warm fuzzies," said Hawley.

HSNT may get a verdict on the snakes' future in court Tuesday. It expects to have them for at least 10 more days. In the meantime, that's $1,000's in care
Fort Worth Humane Society Burdened by 79 Seized Snakes

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