Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am still going through a time of debating an weighing my options, but I have seriously considered joining the army in the near future.

Something that has been bothering is what to do with my animals. I have two dogs, two ferrets, a ball python, and a blue tongue skink.

My two dogs will stay with my mom. My two ferrets will stay with my sister if I feel she can handle them(since she already has a ferret and knows how to care for them). However I am the only "reptile" person in my family.

I love my reptiles like I love any other of my animals. To sell them and not ever see them again rips my heart out. I've bonded with these animals, in my opinion.

I thought about something though, and I would like opinions on this. Would it be a good idea to temporarily put my reptiles under someone's care and then receive them later?

While I'm sure most people have good intention, I fear that if I find someone to do this they may decide to not give my pets back!

Also, the care that goes into them may be a problem. Well, the ball python is easy care, but the skink's diet may be a hassle for some people.

What do you guys think? Let me know!
Has anyone else been in this situation?

Some people may call me stupid, but if I don't think I can take the stress off being separated from my animals, I may just not join the army!

I have been taking care of a friend's ball pythons for about 3 years now. His job took him overseas (non-military career). Originally, we didn't even know each other. He had posted an ad stating that he was looking for someone to care for his animals while he was away and would be willing to split the clutches with whomever was able to take on the responsibility.

He took a big risk posting an ad like that, but we talked over the phone and exchanged emails for months before any of the animals were sent my way. It took us a while before we had all of the details worked out, but in the end we became good enough friends that we barely pay attention to our original agreement.

When he is ready to take his snakes back, I'll have no problem returning them to him because that was something that was expected from the beginning. I think that if you are able to find someone who is able to properly care for your pets you shouldn't have a problem getting them back when the time comes as long as whomever takes over caring for them knows upfront that they are still your animals.

You may end up having to reimburse them for food, bedding, etc. and you might want to work out a few extra details into a written agreement. For example: who pays for potential vet bills? What if the person wants to breed your animals - do you receive a cut of any potential profits? Will you pay for the actual cost of food and supplies or will you simply pay a flat fee every month (or whatever schedule you come up with)? What if the animal(s) were to die - will it be replaced by the caregiver?

There is a lot that can go into the decision to re-home your animals - even if it is only a temporary thing and it really doesn't matter if the pet is a snake or a dog. There are a lot of things that you might want to take into consideration. You might find that selling your pets to a person that is willing and able to properly love and care for your animals is the better option in the long run.

I wouldn't let your animals hold you back from joining the military (no matter what your reasons for deciding to do so) or even going to college or whatever dreams and goals you have for your life. I learned a long time ago that pursuing your dreams and having a goal in life is one of the most important things you can do. Don't let anything stand in the way of that. Like they say, "Where there is a will, there is a way."
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Stay United!

I'm still not sure if it's weird that my best friend is a two year old boa named Ronin. He's quiet, non-judgemental and listens... what more could you want?

I'm in a similar situation right now.

A prior customer contacted me a while back if I could "board" the two BRB's he purchased from me. We talked about it and worked out a mutual agreement. Bottom line he's paying a monthly boarding fee to cover my expenses/time and I'm also attempting to breed them. If there are any babies we'll split them 50/50 with any extra baby going to him.

Yes you should put something in writing and include.....

Care costs - actual or monthly rate?
Breeding - allowed or not and division of offspring if allowed.
Vet - how to handle including emergency or unable to contact you for approval.
Any other points you want to cover...
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

One option is reaching out to a reptile rescue. I currently have in my care a naval officers snake and a us marines snake. Helping out with feed costs is a good plus, but we all known how little the military pays. Some reptile rescues are more than happy to take care of this. If you are a member of a herp society that is another option. While my rescue no longer takes owner surrenders, we will always help the military folks any way we can.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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I am currently in the Marines as a Recruiter. when I originally joined I only have 4 snakes and my parent took care of them while I was in Basic Training. Once I finished with basic I was then stationed in Japan for the next 2 1/2 years so they had to deal with them a bit longer than they expected. I had around 10 or so snakes that were in their care while I was overseas.

I am currently still in the Marines I have been in for a little over 5 years. I now have around 40ish snakes something along those lines so it all depends...btw my parents werent fans of snakes however they did it for me so maybe one of your relatives can do the same?

Hope this helps.
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Brandon Nixon

When I got Mobilized to serve in Afghanistan with the National Guard, I sold my entire collection of around 50 Ball Pythons. It was tough but it had to be done. Joining the Army (especially during two overseas conflicts) is not a decision to take lightly. If selling or giving away your animals is too much of a sacrifice; you may want to choose another career path.

Don't let any animals delay career paths. Sell them, adopt them off, whatever it takes to get them into good placements and move on to whatever path you choose.

Doug T

Doug Taylor Reptiles

Do it man...

I did...

Just not the Army...post your location, you might find an actual home.

When I left for basic the entirety of my personal belonging fit into a Camelbak Adventure pack. Some days I wish that was the case...

My dogs/cat stayed with Mom, the Iguana too, even my fish tank. The two ferrets were given to a friend.

Your making a sacrifice, I'm sure your family can too. A skink and a Ball are easy pickings. I had to go away for 3 months years ago and left my new wife with a 10' Burmese that wasn't fond of people...she made it fine.

Best of luck.
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0.2 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Anerthrystic
0.0.2 Normal

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

I applaud you for wanting to join. I think it is a very good thing and a great life experiance.
I will say the air force has better food..lol.. i would seriously look at the navy and air force also ,while any duty served for our country is a great thing, i think you would enjoy either of those branches more then the army.
Good luck whatever you decide.

mike
AIR FORCE

Are you willing to die for an oil pipe line ?
I am willing to quit driving my car so you can live.

You know what is great it is people like me and other people serving in the Military that give you the right to make you asinine comments. If you do not want to be here and you don't believe in the people that do support you ability to make whatever ridiculous comments you feel free to say go somewhere else I assure you we will not miss someone the likes of yourself!

Sgt Nixon, Brandon D.
Marines

In case I wasn't clear on what I said and you need it in simple terms, LEAVE.
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Brandon Nixon

"Are you willing to die for an oil pipe line ?
I am willing to quit driving my car so you can live."

How hateful, I feel sorry for you.

First of all, to Brandon and SgtStinky, thanks for your service. And to Tempo for wanting to serve. Oldworldlife, I am assuming you have snakes. Did you ever wonder why they have English names, and not Russian or German or Japanese? In the old days we would have called you a Commie Pinko. But many more colorful words come to mind today. Count your blessings that many have given to you. You sure haven't earned them. And yes, I proudly served in the Navy.

OLDWORLD is nothing more than a Flame-baiting iratant. The mods would do well to erase this thread and many thank in advance. Andrew

Good for you! I've been in for about 18 years. I've been able to keep reptiles on off throughout my career. I was even able to keep a burmese python while stationed in Italy. I'm having to board a few snakes right now for a short deployment. With a little bit of planning and luck it will all work out.

The Army has been a wonderful experience and has allowed me to see and do things that most civilians could never begin to imagine. If I had to go back and do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing.

CPT Stinky

RLTW