EPPING FOREST GUARDIAN (UK) 12 November 05 Snakey Sue’s seventy snakes seek sanctuary (Jenny Clarke)
Photo: Snakey Sue with her friends
Seventy snakes are seeking sanctuary, says Snakey Sue.
Belly dancer Suzanne Patrice, known as Snakey Sue, rescues unwanted and homeless pet snakes.
But she is running out of space at the vivarium in her home and needs to find a bigger place to give refuge to her ever-increasing collection of animals.
Ms Patrice said: "Pretty soon I will find it difficult to take in any more snakes. There are always more animals in need of a home and I want to help."
People will have a chance to meet the animals when Ms Patrice holds a business and enterprise awareness day from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, November 20, in the hall at St Andrew's Church, Colworth Road, Leytonstone.
The event is free but a small charge will be made to hold the snakes and to have your photograph taken with them.
Ms Patrice hopes the day will raise cash for the animals' welfare and open up people's minds to the idea of starting their own businesses.
To pay for the food and vet bills, Ms Patrice started up her business as Snakey Sue.
She takes the snakes on visits to schools around London, and entertains at children's parties, corporate functions and other events.
Some of her bookings for belly dancing include a performance with the snakes.
She said: "I'm licensed and insured. The visits to schools are educational but I enjoy the entertainment work too.
"Looking after the snakes is a full-time job for me, but it is expensive.
"The visits and entertainments are good because they give people a chance to learn about the animals as well as helping me out with the costs."
Boa constrictors, corn snakes and Kenyan snake boas are among the reptiles that Ms Patrice has rescued.
"Snakes have long life-spans. Boas can live up to 40 years. People buy them as pets but when their circumstances change or the children grow up and leave home they are unable to keep them. That's when I step in," Ms Patrice said.
In the future she hopes to find a business or organisation to help provide a space for a sanctuary at a low rent.
There would need to be a good electricity supply and secure access.
Ideally, said Ms Patrice, it would be nice to have somewhere that people would be able to visit and we could expand over the years.
Ms Patrice is a member of the International Herpet-ological Society, the British Herpetological Society and the Federation of British Herpetologists.
She is also looking for people who are interested in joining her in launching a new charity Reptile Welfare Society UK.
Anyone who would like to find out more should contact Ms Patrice on 8989 2560 or visit the website www.snakeysue.com
Snakey Sue’s seventy snakes seek sanctuary

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