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WINK (Fort Myers, Florida) 27 June 08 Are Florida snake owners paying attention to new rules?
Lee County: Heartbreak for a Florida pet owner, after a huge snake swallows her cat in her own backyard. More than likely, the snake's owner let it go. There are new state rules to try to prevent this. But are pet owners paying attention?
"I've always wanted one," said snake owner, Kyle Stouffer.
He calls his albino Burmese python, Atilda, his prized possession. Stouffer got her 10 months ago, before the new state law requiring a permit and microchip for certain species started.
"I think it's a wonderful idea. Cause if your pet gets lost, somebody can't just keep them. They can just go and get them microchipped and you can have them back," he said.
Officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife say owners were releasing too many exotic snakes. And that causes a problem for native species, native wildlife and possibly for people and pets.
One Florida woman found that out, after a nine-foot boa constrictor ate her cat in the backyard of her Orlando home.
Scott Flavelle, a wildlife trapper, says he's gotten about five calls so far this year for exotic snakes. Most likely, someone released them into the wild.
"When they can't afford to maintain them anymore. They just get too big, of they just get bored with them," said Flavelle.
For Stouffer, he plans to get Atilda chipped and hopes other owners do the same. And that they also hold on to their pets.
" I don't believe in letting them go in the wild. It's a bad idea," he said.
There are five types of snakes, most of them pythons, that need to be microchipped.
http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/ruleregs.HTML
Are Florida snake owners paying attention to new rules?

Allowing outdoor cats is a worse idea for those of us that appreciate all fauna. Sounds like poetic justice!
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
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Conservation through Education

So now you hate cats! What next?

Randal

I don't hate cats! If you will remember, we have 7 of them. But they do not roam OUTSIDE! Having been a rehabber for over 10 years and seeing lots of injured, maimed, and tortured snakes, lizards, and song birds has given me this attitude. If people really liked their cats, they would keep them inside to prevent them from being road splat and coyote bait! That's just my opinion. the facts were previously stated.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

I don't tremember you having all those cats, but I have cats too. I let mine roam outside and catch and bring me snakes.
I have trained them not to hurt the snakes. They average about 4 snakes a week.
I even had one catch me a baby Box turtle and a three-toed amphiuma.
They just bring them into my snake room, (you've been there) and drop them on the floor. Later this week I'll teach them to put them into the cage.
Ahh, cats are wonderful! Tastes like chicken!

Randal

Randal, here's my cat. This is "ELVIS" the mighty hunter.....TC