Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am leaving for 3 weeks in May on a deployment to Africa (sadly, not Ghana...) and I am trying to figure out how to handle finding the job of a snake sitter. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice, or something that they have done in the past. I live with my brother, but he wont hardly come in the room. I have a few people I could talk to and "train" before I leave, but I was just wondering if anyone here had any suggestions. Thankfully, my deployment is during a "not so important" time of the year (vs. breeding season for example).

Thanks in advanced for everyone's advice,

johnny, out.

P.S. Im not sure if I will be able to bring my laptop or not, but I will be able to take pictures and will post some if yall are interested.

I found a pet sitter here in my area in the yellow pages. She's dealt with all kinds of animals. She won't feed live rodents to snakes, but she'll do everything else. When I was away at Christmas, she checked on the snakes and the rest of the house a couple of times. She kept them in fresh water and spot cleaned the cages as needed. She has a zoology degree, is the daughter of an engineer, and is married to an engineer. Those things make her ideal for knowing how to handle the home and pets of an engineer (me). Of the three of us, I'm the most difficult to deal with.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Thanks, I didn't know there were actual pet sitters. I am pretty picky too, and who ever I get for the task, they will be very used to using a temp. gun! I will look in my area for pet sitters. Thanks again Bill,

~Johnny

Send them my way - LOL

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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.42.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizard of unknown origin

Well, I know I wouldn't worry about them if I did that!

~johnny

You might ask your snake vet or other local vets about people who take care of snakes. My sitter ended up directing me to the vet that I use for my snakes. One of the nice things about having her as a sitter is that she is personal friends with many vets in the area. She said that if any problems arose, she'd be able to call a good friend who happened to be a vet to get help. I hadn't been to this vet yet when I used the sitter, but I was happy with the vet when I took my snakes. It's very nice to know that if my sitter finds a problem, she can call the same vet who normally sees my snakes.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Great Idea!! Thanks again Bill, always throwing fresh idea's out there! Thanks again,

~Johnny

Hi there,
You should leave your snakes with someone who knows about them. I had to have a sitter too, but it was a disaster. I left them with my folks, and they did everything wrong. Some got out, some where in bad shape when I got back, and one had a URI. I left them with directions and instructions, and they tried their best, but it wasnt good enough. They dont know any better, and cant see a URI coming, or if a snake needs more or less heat, etc. What ever you do, get someone who knows what they are doing.

Thanks, thats kinda why I was asking for alternates, because that is exactly what I am worried is going to happen. what ever I end up doing, I will "train" the person before I leave. More than likely I will have them come over each time I feed, as that is the most important part in my mind.

~johnny

My daughter has worked as a vet assistant for about 2 years now. I was surprised to learn that many of the workers in a vet's office do pet sitting on the side. You may want to try calling your snake vet and asking.

BTW, Tosha's comment about sending them to her, while a joke, may not be a bad idea. If you could find a ball python keeper within driving distance, you might be able to work out a deal. Unless of course you have way too many snakes to move.

Good luck on your deployment. What branch are you in? Please post pics if you can.
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Alice Cobb

Sadly, I am in the nexis of the ball python world, Houston... Dallas and Austin are right on track, but Houston has quite "caught on." I think I am going to start training my friend to "baby" sit while I am gone.

I am in the Marine Corps (reserves, going to school at the moment), and will be deployed in Morocco for 3 some-odd weeks. I will try to get as many pics for everyone as I can, including any local herps if I have the time/libo. Thanks again everyone for your input,

~Johnny

Houston "hasn't" quite caught on