Rehoming snakes: is it wrong?

[ghosthousecorns]

Came across a discussion somewhere, where someone had mentioned they got criticized for trying to rehome some snakes. I never saw the for sale thread so I have little info here as to exactly what happened or was said.
It is a keepers prerogative to either keep or rehome a snake, we do get attached to them but sometimes the space runs out, or we are having troubles taking care of that many, or we just can't take care of any because of other things going on in our life.
I have none of my original snakes I first had when I got into keeping corns, I guess that makes me a horrible person as I did not keep each snake for its entire lifetime. I had a snow, anery, normal, amel like many get from the pet store. When I got to know the morphs and stuff I, like most people here, wanted to start trying to work towards producing the nicest highest quality animals I could. I found good homes for my first snakes, they mostly went to another breeder that I know, the snow went to a pet home and I got to see what kind of enclosure she would have and everything.
I was working quite a bit with ghosts as well, but I have rehomed the majority of my original stock of adult ghost/ anery because I scaled back a great deal (don't want to produce them in flooded market) and because I am working on cinder stuff. I had a ton of holdbacks from my cinder projects and as they grew up and I was needing more room I have sold or rehomed Demeter, Hera, Circe, and Apollo, I loved every one of those snakes. They all have gone either to people on here that I have either met IRL or at least interacted with for a long time on the forum, and Apollo went to a pet only home, he is a really tame snake he gets to go on reptile exhibits and help to educate people how gentle and friendly a corn snake can be.
I don't think it's wrong to rehome a snake. I do think it's wrong to bag on other people for rehoming their snakes though. Their reasons are their business. I know not everyone on this forum breeds but a great many do. If you are going to sell baby corns how can it be wrong for someone else to sell their snakes? They are snakes, not puppies, cats or anything that develops an attachment to their human, snakes are happy as long as they are kept right. And sometimes it is better for the snake to be sold/rehomed if the keeper is having life issues that make it harder for them to take care of their animals.
I have done everything in my power to make sure every adult I rehomed or sold went to somebody I thought would provide excellent care, and I don't feel guilty. I'm sure there are people that feel I don't "love" my snakes because of this. But if I kept everything I had ever owned I would have way too many snakes. I really think my case is typical. It's a natural progression to kinda start out with normal morphs or hets and "upgrade" as you go along.

 

[Nanci]

I don't think that is wrong. I agree with virtually everything you are saying. I do think "flipping" snakes, especially adults, is not in the snakes' or the new owners' best interest. You know, you go to a show, see a snake, the person got it in a trade, knows nothing of the genes, hasn't had it long enough to isolate any potential diseases or parasites. I also don't like seeing cages of WC adult corns at a pet shop for $15 each. I think when someone like say Rich Hume or Jeff Mohr decides to cut back on corns that provides an excellent opportunity for lucky people to get some top-level genes in adult snakes that wouldn't otherwise be on the market. I have some snakes with basic genes such as lavender or hypo blood that most likely won't ever be used for breeding that I am uncomfortable about rehoming because of their idiosyncrasies. The lavender is a rat-only eater that likes to "hunt" the rat as I rustle it in the leaves of her vines. I have a bloodred with severe congenital kinking that A. I don't want to ever breed and B. am not sure someone would handle her gently enough to not injure her. So even though it would clear up some space for me to rehome animals like that, I worry enough about them being cared for thoughtfully in a new home that I choose to keep them on as pensioners unless a perfect situation comes up.

I would like to mention that it is not our job here to criticize people for their decision to rehome snakes. They don't need to be badgered or blamed or made to feel awful. All that does is drive people away from this site, and that is not what Rich wants at all. This goes for sending abusive PMs to people. PMs are covered by the same rules as the forum and if anyone here receives a PM that is abusive, I would like you to please feel comfortable sending it to me or Jeff or Susan. You do not need to put up with that kind of thing.

 

[chris68]

I've rehomed so many snakes I've kept I've lost count...I agree, they're snakes...they don't love us in any way, shape or form...at all...I've given snakes to people who I know will enjoy them at least as much as I did...What you do with your snakes is your business; those that know how you treat your animals and the hobby as a whole know the kind of person you are

 

[ghosthousecorns]

A couple of times when I have had a table at a show already payed for and not that much of my own stuff to sell, I asked other breeders to sell me a few babies for the show. I also once bought some out-of-eggers from Rich Z, I really wanted 2 but if I spent a certain amount there was a substantial discount, so I bought some other babies with the sole intention of getting them established, raising them for a bit and then selling them. The way I see it I am offering some snakes from quality breeders (Rich Z, Carol and Jeff) that would otherwise not be available in my area. Am I "flipping"? I guess you could see it that way. The people who have bought those snakes from me don't seem to mind though.

 

[Cassie16]

I think it's wrong to do with animals like dogs, who develop bonds and can suffer greatly if rehomed. Obviously there are circumstances that make it acceptable, but the vast majority of craigs list posters just realized they couldn't handle the responsibility. Aside from that, there are so many people wanting to get rid of dogs and cats, and not near enough people who want to take them. The same can't be said for snakes, I don't think. In fact, there are only three craigslist listings in my area for snakes right now.

As for snakes, I don't think it's wrong at all. I would expect that you are making sure that your snakes are going to good homes where they would be cared for properly. Aside from the normal stress of moving, snakes aren't going to suffer separation anxiety issues.

I think Chris worded it quite eloquently, lol.

 

[cobained]

I don't personally have a problem with people rehoming or selling any animals they own if they do it responsibly. My husband is military so we have to move, often long distances, every 4 years or so. What that means is that next year I'll probably have to get rid of all, or the vast majority, of my snake collection. Does that mean I shouldn't build a collection in the first place? I don't think that would be fair...we already sacrifice enough with our lifestyle! It also means I'll be selling/rehoming my horse. I'm seriously hoping it doesn't mean having to rehome any of our cats or dogs, but if we get stuck in military housing we can only have 2 pets. I don't think it's "wrong" to not be able to keep an animal for it's entire lifespan, but I do think it's wrong to dump it at a shelter or not find appropriate living conditions for it when the time comes. I also don't have a problem with people buying for resale, if they're putting something in to the animal (ie, basic care, vet care, training, etc) and then responsibly selling it. I do have a huge issue with people begging for an animal, talking a price down because it's "exactly what they want but they don't have enough money," and then turning around a week later and selling it for a profit. I've seen that a few too many times.

 

[jessicalb]

Life happens and sometimes animals have to be rehomed. It's responsible pet ownership to know when an animal needs a different home for whatever reason and to ensure they go to a good owner.

 

[MysticExotics]

Thank you for starting this thread Jen! I agree with you. Snakes do not develop the same attatchments like cats & dogs.
I don't agree with flipping, & my definition of flipping is someone getting several for free or cheap & turning around & selling them for a profit. I think that is more of a personal character thing.
I personally have taken in problem feeder babies, with the intent of getting them established on eating, & finding homes for them.
I have also decided that some are not going to be in future breeding plans, & I traded some to someone I thought was a friend, with the explicit instructions that if she no longer wanted them, I would buy them back.
Well, that person turned around & sold every one of them, plus several others she aquired either very cheap or free. (Some of those she took in on a trade, & she still owes the breeder for the snakes she got from him.) That, I think shows very poor character.
I also get that life happens, & some may need to rehome due to landlords, or moving, or upcoming babies, & maybe at a certain point they are in a position to get more snakes again.

I'm sure there will be people that feel that rehoming them is bad/wrong, & they are entitled to their opinion. I agree with Nanci that no one should make someone feel bad about their situation or chice to rehome there snake(s).

 

[Nanci]

I would classify OOE hatchlings with known genetics from a reputable breeder something like "prospect snakes-" ones you were going to put some care into before finding permanent homes for. You'd be making sure they were well-started, with a reasonable expectation of success, before selling them.

 

[wretchedprocess]

I don't think rehoming is wrong, depending on circumstances. I do think flipping snakes is kind of a jerkass thing to do, because often the people who do that treat snakes less as individual animals who deserve respect and more as tiny get-rich-quick schemes. (Ha! Get rich on snakes indeed.) But obviously I can't get upset with someone who can't keep a snake for whatever reason and find it a new place to live.

On the other hand, before I get a new snake, I do try to be sure I'll be able to keep it as close to forever as I can predict, Life Happens-style disasters aside. Because I work in rescue, and I see what happens to the animals no one wants. Three of my corns are rescue babies, and they aren't going anywhere I don't also go. I flew them from Baltimore to Seattle when I moved here, and with me they shall stay. They are, to me, my pets just as much as anyone else in my family. I can of course never promise permanent financial stability, but I do do my best.

 

[Nanci]

Exactly. Of the few snakes I have sold or rehomed, about half have gone because they were not as represented when I bought them. Calli was not a lavender stripe. Ruby was not a female. Bacon, unfortunately, became obsolete when I got a terrific deal on an opal stripe, and I thought, paired with Calli, someone could have a great shot at opal motleys. Inez went off to have a chance at breeding.