license? cat litter?

[EaGeL-RaY]

iv asked a local pet shop owner who told me that i dont need a license to own a corn snake in the uk, but was wondering if i didnt need one or if if i did
also if i did what type do i need to get?

iv also been told that i could use cat litter instead of aspen.
what does anyone think about this?

ragards
EaGeL-RaY

 

[danielle]

Cat liter usually has chemicals in it to control odor that would be harmful so I would stick with aspen. As for a license you have to check with your local laws as they do vary a lot

 

[EaGeL-RaY]

thanks.
erm were would i best go to find out about the uk laws for that?

 

[danielle]

I'm a yankee,lol Don't you guys have government internet sites for your individual areas?

 

[EaGeL-RaY]

i dont know

 

[diamondlil]

There are no laws in the UK against keeping cornsnakes. if you are in rented accomadation though, it may be a good idea to check with your landlord if a snake would be ok to keep.
As for cat litter as a substrate, absolutely not! No pine woodshavings either. Have a read of the FAQ here for good advice on how to keep a healthy cornsnake.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28341

 

[bitsy]

Agreed - there are no laws to cover Corn ownership in the UK (other than the standard animal welfare legislation, which applies to all animals).

If you breed and sell in bulk then you might be classed as a business and need a pet shop licence, but small-scale "hobby breeders" are exempt from that legislation.

www.direct.gov.uk is the UK government website that gives advice on legislation, benefits etc, so that's where you'd be most likely to find information. It has a section on your obligations under the Animal Welfare Bill. The only other legislation that I can think of around reptiles is the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (not applicable to Corns) and the Endangered Species legislation (again, does not apply to Corns).

 

[Lucille]

i dont know

It is an important part of life anywhere to be able to get some idea of the laws governing one's behavior. This thread you started, which began as a question about snakes, could evolve into an opportunity for you to find out for yourself a way to research law local to you. As you mature and perhaps own more property and have more responsibilities, that knowledge can make a real difference.

I am not detracting in any way the competent and abundant knowledge of the people here, and as you have seen, they share their time and advice generously on this site.

But it would be an important step forward for you, IMHO, to be able to learn for yourself how to find your local laws and rules.

 

[KJUN]

iv asked a local pet shop owner who told me that i dont need a license to own a corn snake in the uk, but was wondering if i didnt need one or if if i did
also if i did what type do i need to get?

iv also been told that i could use cat litter instead of aspen.
what does anyone think about this?

ragards
EaGeL-RaY

I don't know the UK laws, but I'd stay away from cat litter for two reasons: chemicals and dust. The chemical part is obvious. Even if you get the pure clay "cheap" types, you have the dust. Clay is composed of TINY particles, and the snake will be inhaling them all day and every day. Not good. Plus, cat litter is made to absorb water - it is basically a desiccant. That doesn't even add into the fact that snakes have lipophilic skin and cat litter (the cheap clay type at least) readily absorbs oil. The cheaper stuff also just kinda turns to mud when wet, too....lol.

So, stay away from cat litter IMO.
KJ

 

[EaGeL-RaY]

thank you every one for you help and advice.
ill defently look up the laws, iv already tryed looking up on google but it just confuses me.
thnks for te usefull web addys

EaGeL-RaY