Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm holding an intervention for myself, I have not been taking care of my animals like I need to be. I never though I would neglect them as much as I have, and I have come to a crossroads... at what point do I say i can no longer care for these animals and find new homes for them...

I really do not want it to come to that as I love keeping snakes, but I realize that if this continues I cannot in good conscience keep them myself...

I think I have a fair compromise; I will give myself a month from today, and if I cant get my head out of my ass and care for them like they need (like i used to do),I will do the right thing and find some one who can... or WILL I should say.

The reason I am giving myself one last chance is because I know I am able, I have the knowledge, I have just been neglecting it with no excuse.

I have beat myself up over this quite a bit now but still think I should hear it from some of you guys as well so don't hold back let me have it. Not only that but maybe you all could help keep me accountable, I used to be in this forum a few times a day and I think that alone helped keep me motivated, and I need that again now.

sorry to disappoint everyone myself included
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-Stephen-

0.1 Fiance (Babe)
1.0 German Short Haired Pointer (Franklin)

1.0 norm corn (Jake)
1.0 col redtail boa (Dixie)
0.2 ball python (Montie & Bella)
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Torpaz & Saphira)

Reading your comments, it sounds to me, that its not about your lack of keeping the animals well. But more, that you have lost the love of the hobby.
If you have lost the love, move the animals on to somebody that is more keen.
If your just being slack at caring for them, harden the f#*k up and give them what they need.

From your profile, it looks like you only have 6 snakes. I find it hard to believe that you cant find the time to look after them, and thats why i believe its probably more an issue of just loosing interest, if that makes sense.
Looking after 6 snakes, really takes no time at all !!!

All that matters though in the long run, is that when we take on a pet, it is our responsibility to look after them. If we cant, they need to be transferred onto somebody that will. Peoples lives change, and moving a pet onto somebody else, is not a bad thing...

I know for myself, i have my ups and downs. Sometimes i wonder what the hell im doing, and sometimes i love this hobby more than i should!! I own approx 150 rainbows at last count, and it takes time to look after this many. I have another keeper than can always come and help me out if im having one of those weeks;(

If you need help with looking after them, or just you want to renew the interest. Find another keeper locally, and go have a few beers with them... 2 x snake guys beer always get the passion back.....

Dave
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Dave

Ive given up counting how many rainbows i have, but its enough to deplete my credit card every rodent order....
Im an aussie in an arctic environment
Helsinki, Finland

Dave
I really don't think I have lost the love, I think its more a matter of getting slack or getting lazy, its not that I don't HAVE the time I just haven't been taking the time. Letting myself make unacceptable excuses and procrastinating and I HAVE to stop with that....

like an example; looks like torpaz shed last night ill have to clean his cage when i get home from work... get home... I just got home I wanna relax a bit... ohh supper is ready now ill get in there after that... started watching a movie during supper... and well the movie ends and now I'm falling asleep on the couch... I'll get it in the morning...well morning comes and just like the day before I have to get to work...

I think part of the problem is that I have been spending more time at the TV than at the computer, and that makes a big difference for two reasons; one being the snakes are right next to the computer, two being this forum is on the computer. That's kinda why I'm trying to get back on here to keep the snakes front and center on my mind more often. When I'm watching TV the snakes are way in the back of the house and get lost in the outta sight outta mind mentality. So yes I need a renewed interest, that's why I came back here asking you guys to help me with that, and i honestly think that will just naturally happen as long as I am active here.

I am really not saying all of this to make excuses or make it seem less bad, and believe me none of that is reason to neglect my animals. Those snakes depend on me for food and fresh water and clean living conditions, they can't get it themselves. I am more just explaining the situation to better understand the problem, you cant solve a problem if you don't understand it.
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-Stephen-

0.1 Fiance (Babe)
1.0 German Short Haired Pointer (Franklin)

1.0 norm corn (Jake)
1.0 col redtail boa (Dixie)
0.2 ball python (Montie & Bella)
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Torpaz & Saphira)

If you know you're not giving your animals the proper care they need, you should seriously consider selling them off or give them to someone who will address their needs. The animals are in your collection not by THEIR choice, but by yours. They are completely dependent upon you for proper care so, IMO, if you cannot provide it, you don't deserve to have them.
We all have times where life events take us away from focusing on our collection as much as we'd like. When it becomes a regular theme or is simply due to lack of interest, then it's time to move on. You really don't have a large collection to care for. If you have a few favorite animals, consider downsizing to just keep them. Maybe the ease of caring for just two to three of them will change your outlook and perspective. If you still can't handle it or could care less, hang it up man! Your animals deserve better than that.

Thanks for your reply,
I agree with you for the most part my animals do deserve better that that, but I really don't think that the size of the collection plays a part in this case. I have considered hanging it up, I really don't want it to come to that but I will if need be.

you say "if you cannot provide it, you don't deserve to have them." and I agree with you. In my case it's not a matter of "cannot" it's a matter of just not... yet as I say that now i'm not sure which is worse. I am capable i have done it for years, but recently due to some combination of lack of interest, laziness, bad priorities, or whatever, I haven't been.

Now honestly, do you think I should throw in the towel, or is it fair to give myself a 2nd chance?
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-Stephen-

0.1 Fiance (Babe)
1.0 German Short Haired Pointer (Franklin)

1.0 norm corn (Jake)
1.0 col redtail boa (Dixie)
0.2 ball python (Montie & Bella)
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Torpaz & Saphira)

By all means, if you think you can responsibly maintain your collection and it's what you WANT to do, then you should give it another shot. If, on the other hand, you find yourself slacking, then why put yourself through a guilt trip and make yourself and the animals unhappy? There was a time when I had over 160 animals which included everything from small boas to reticulated pythons. The thrill was gone as it was more of a hassle than it was worth. It was draining both my time and financial resources, so I downsized a LOT. I've no desire to ever keep that many animals again. That's why I suggested you do the same. You may find keeping 2-3 animals more enjoyable. If not, then you should give it up for awhile.

I completely agree with Cliff. I like using the reward method, as my body tends to follow the first law of motion religiously. (A body in motion stays in motion; a body at rest stays at rest, etc.) If I don't start cleaning or feeding or whatever right away, it's a LOT harder to get myself to do it later on after I've had some butt flattening time on the couch (or on the computer).
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Aubrey Ross

www.SlipstreamSerpents.com