I'm looking for some help. (Temporary Boarding)

[jrwr7]

Hey Y'all,

I have a bit of a situation. I'm moving out of state, from NY to GA. I'm having to move in with my in-laws for the first 1-3 months and my mother in-law is deathly afraid of snakes. This means my 11 month old Puget Sound Garter, Rex, can't go anywhere near the house. I was hoping to get some ideas from you folks on what arrangements I can make.

I don't want to give up my buddy but I have to do something.

I will appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thanks

John

[snake man]

Thats a tricky one maybe print out a infirmation page on garters to sow her how harmless they are.

[setfree]

You have probably already tried this but do you have any friends that could watch him?

[Didymus20X6]

You might want to check GA regulations as well. From what I understand, T. sirtalis are protected by state law; I'm not sure if the non-native subspecies pickeringii is excepted. But it means they cannot be kept, captured, traded, or transported.

What part of GA are you moving to? I have family near the FL border.

My suggestion: find a friend somwhere between NY and NC who can take care of the snake for you.

[EasternGirl]

That"s a difficult situation. It is a house you are moving into? Is there a garage or basement that has adequate lighting and heating/air conditioning...so that the snake could be kept there and have the right light/temps? Could you keep the snake in your bedroom and promise that the snake will not come out of the room and tell her she can't come in the room? See if you could negotiate something like that with her...

[Sonya610]

You might want to check GA regulations as well. From what I understand, T. sirtalis are protected by state law; I'm not sure if the non-native subspecies pickeringii is excepted. But it means they cannot be kept, captured, traded, or transported.

I live in Georgia, technically all of the subspecies are banned but honestly nobody cares about a pet snake or two, now a large herp breeder that has to deal with the Department of Agriculture or something would probably be a different story. The regulations not only ban all Garters but also Corn snakes and many others, it was an oversight when they wrote the legislation, every other type of snake (that is non-native) is perfectly legal to own so it isn't like they are worried about the environment.

When one of mine was shipped it was obvious someone cut open the fedex box (presumably because it was labeled Live Reptile) to check the contents I assume, and I still received the little guy with no problem.

[Didymus20X6]

I'm not saying it's not a dumb law. I keep Mississippi wild-caught easterns, and it baffles me that I have to leave them here when I travel there. And heck, I know more people in South GA who just kill snakes than people who care about protecting them. I just don't want people getting into any unnecessary trouble.

Again, what part of GA are you moving to, John?

[jrwr7]

Hey Y'all,

First off, thanks for all of your input. I truly appreciate it.

Ok, Didymus20X6 and EasternGirl, please understand I'm dealing with an irrational person in her 70's with a near hysterical fear of snakes. It won't matter how harmless they are or how far away IN the house it is. Also, the garage and basement has been converted to the living space that my wife and I will be living in so there is no other place for the snake, not that it matters because of what I mentioned above.

Didymus20X6 and Sonya610, I appreciate you letting me know about the law in GA but I don't think that will influence my wanting to keep Rex once I get set up down there. I don't completely disregard the laws of the land, I just think this one is not something I see myself doing time for. One snake, not breeding, not worries.

Didymus20X6 I will be moving to the Buford/Lawrenceville area. I believe it is an hour north east of Atlanta on a light traffic day.

I do have a friend in NC but he is not snake friendly and he and his wife are expecting their first so I do not want to impose.

If anyone else has any other suggestions I would really love to hear them.

Thanks again everyone.

John

[kibakiba]

If you have, maybe $50 to spare.. you can send Rex to a member who is willing to keep him for you, until you're away from the issue.

[Invisible Snake]

If you don't have a friend that can give your snake a temporary home, then I'm sorry but you're left with only a couple of options..

1. You can sell your snake.

or

2. Try to find a respected, reputable forum member on here who is willing to provide your snake with a temporary home until you get your situation figured out.