this is just GREAT!

[Floyd]

s17.gif
Some old lady called in a complaint that a neighbor was sighted with a huge snake and that it scares her too much to handle knowing that she lives near someone who is "crazy" enough to have one in their apartment. So now I'm being told that I have to get rid of every one of my animals by Saturday or face eviction and fines of not complying with the lease contract. s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif

URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGG!!!!

I am so made that I could s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif s3.gif s3.gif s3.gif s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif s5.gif

[The_Boaphile]

It pays to follow the rules and when in violation of them not to tell ANYONE. Before moving to the town I used to live in I called City Hall to find out about any animal regulations they might have. The lady told me there were only the laws regarding dog kennels and catteries limiting you to just three dogs or three cats without a special license. In order to get this license you had to meet a huge list of qualifications which was near impossible to do. So I asked about fish. Can I have a number of aquariums with 100 fish? Of course we have no laws against fish was the reply. OK, so can I have 100 birds? HHmmmm well if they cause a disturbance or excessive noise you can be in violation, I broke in. I would be in violation of a noise ordinance or some ordinance against smell or something but the birds themselves, if nobody smelled them or heard them, would not be against the law correct? She replied that was correct. I asked again. So there are no other animal ordinances at all correct? She said that is correct. I said thank you and bye bye. Had I asked, “Is it OK for me to keep 500 Boa Constrictors?” I’m sure she would have gasped and told me absolutely not. We only had about 20 when we moved into the house but about 500 when we left. So getting the real answers sometimes is related to how you phrase your question. We lived in that town for eight years without any of our neighbors ever knowing about the HUGE collection of Boa Constrictors that took up every bit nearly of living space within this very small two bedroom house. We lived in the hall ways. Not really but almost. The Boy never had any of his neighborhood friends in the house and never told any of his friends about our little zoo we had within our walls. Nobody ever stopped by to ask why we were using so much electricity either. I don’t understand that one. A typical month our bill was over $300 in an area where it should have been more like $40. Go figure.

So, next time. Make sure you are compliant with your landlord’s regulations and your cities laws or keep everything a total secret. I assume this lady didn’t find out from her local palm reader that you were keeping herps. You could move as well. That is what I would do AND keep my little secret a secret next time.

Good luck!

[ophiophagus-hannah]

That bites. s17.gif Wish you the best of luck.

[Panama_Red]

Sorry to hear that Floyd, rules are rules most of them ream, I have had to move out of the city because of my animals before, and I am much happier because of it. I also have had the police called on me because they saw windows covered with news paper on my snake room and thought It was a grow room. I geuss I can't blame them, I own 2 buisnesses so I go to work when it is there, (rarely) my power bill is rediculous, and that room with the paper covered windows is 20 degrees warmer than any other room in the house. Try explaining that to the police, No its not marijuna its just a bunch of huge snakes go ahead and take a look!

[Floyd]

The thing that gets to me is that this lady has never seen the animals. So how she found out is mind boggling. My room-mate grabbed all his animals yesterday and said see ya! SO now I'm out an extra 300 a month, then I have to sell the remaining boas I have to someone who isn't going to give me anything near what I would expect to get for them. My wife was up crying and complaining, thankfully it was about losing Floyd instead of the fact that I got caught. I thought for sure that once she read the notice I would be in more trouble with her than anything else, but she's more upset about losing Floyd than this B.S. The other thing is now I have to get a second job to cover the other part of the rent, which means I'm just gonna be much more of a pain in the ARS to deal with than before.
I'm trying to think of something positive out of this.....the only thing I can think of is that IF I am lucky and am able to finish this stupid leases contract I am in (6 months), then once we move out I can start all over and get many more Floyds...
I hope....
I have nothing that even resembles the love I have for my big girl other than a few (2 or 3) pictures of her, and memories. I'm pretty upset but I took the chance of doing this and these are the consequences. Things have a funny way of getting back at you when you sign a dotted line. It would cost me over 3 G's to get out of my current lease, and then of course getting into a place that I could afford the security deposit. UGgghhh! Anyway, I still would like to stay as part of this forum (please Jeff) because it is a very informative site, I've learned a lot in the short time frame of being here, and the advice is always good. I appreciate all of you that have replied to any of my posts and I hope that I can stay here to learn more and even comment on some of those wonderful animals all you people have. Hopefully, one day I can afford to get a couple of those albino-stripes that I've seen going around! I'll toss my 2 cents in whenever I can to help someone out with my limited knowledge and hope that anyone can use it. Thanks again and until something comes up, or until I see another AWESOME boa pic (pretty much everyday!) I'll just have to keep my mouth shut.

Wish you all the best,
:D
God bless,
Rich~aka~Floyd tha boid

[Panama_Red]

Rich
I wouldn't sell your boas, have you got a buddy that will boa sit them untill your lease is up?

[Doug]

HI,
I would post  helpful rescue in the Houston area see if any one can baby sit. If not here Visit a large forum like RTB and see if any one can help you out. This is an emergency for your pets...    Doug

[mako]

i would never get rid of my snakes! do you have any friends or family that could help you out untill you can get out of that place.

[Floyd]

I've got a few options right now, and most of them are just too darn scared to even have her in their apartment. I don't care about the rest of them as much as I do her. My breeding partner, grabbed his the other day and left, and he offered to take care of her for me but I really don't know if I want to do that, because there is a conflict of interest when it comes to the proper care for these types of animals...He thinks one thing I think the complete opposite. So I don't really want to pass her over to him. Then a neighbor of mine offered and so far this is my favorite of options. She is afraid of her, but loves her beauty. So I don't have to worry about anyone touching her or anything like that unless I am there. I'm getting locks for the cages tomorrow so I won't have to worry about her getting out at all...The other plus, is that she leaves like right around the corner. So when I want to see my baby, all I have to do is take a quick walk. I'm still in the "thought process" on what I want to do and what I can do, so at least I have more than just one option which is to get rid of my baby. :D


To throw things off topic for the moment I want to ask you all, a question regarding a snake I have seen that really bothered me. This thing belongs to an old friend of mine and I have seen it now for a few days and noticed that it has a bump in the middle of it's head...Looks like a boil of some type. It's also getting a little bigger as time passes...Can anyone throw their 2 cents at me as to what it is so I can pass the word to this fellow to see what he can do to get rid of it?

Tks,

Floyd

[Doug]

HI,
Good luck with your Boa's, Like many pet owners you have to be really careful about renting, my daughter has dog s and they are really rude about deposits and hygene when walking.
Your best bet is to find a baby sitter and look for a condo that you can own many have options to buy that are less than rent, and you may have a tax break.
Your friends boa sounds like its getting and abscess for an old bite, many times reptiles get a little nip from a rat that dosen't show but due to the low animal temps in(reptiles) the bacteria sort of smolder in the abcess and with time it will start to show, this will not proably resolve it self, a Vet visit is in order, a few parasites will show up under the skin this only occurs in animals who feed on live or fresh killed, another reason to convert to fresh thawed. I started training a baby Brazilian Rainbow tiny little snake but she played tug a war with a thawed pinky last nite and after a few attempts slurped it down better to start really young the teetheees are tiny.I use a long hemastat . hehe
Good luck I feel your pain ... cwm24.gif
doug

[Floyd]

Thanks Doug! b27.gif

I'll definitely tell him to take it too the vet....The thing is that he acts like he doesn't care too much...Oh well...I'm like Dude, if you don't get that one fixed what's going to happen if he happens to infect each and everyone of the others? Anyway, it's better him than me, that's the way I see it!

Doug....thanks again!
Floyd

thats total BS! just give me the word and I'll take care of the old bat ;)

[Floyd]

thanks Yeti~ b27.gif

Believe me, if you know any Marines they can be very very deceptive at night, and guess what....Halloween is just around the corner... ;D

the funny thing is that my wife is the "good girl" that goes to church, never drinks, never smoked nothing...(kind of funny how I got her!) but she is even plotting revenge for me...But I've got quite a few tricks up my sleeve for this years fright night!

[Red]

contact a local reptiles rescue almost every one of them would let you house your snakes there for like a couple months... just make sure and tell them you sit-e-ation and then get some g's up and get your snakes back...
Eric aka...Red

[Floyd]

I've gotten rid of all of them except for my girl....i think what I am gonna do is try to smuggle her into my neighbor's apartment for a few weeks or couple of months...just to see how often these jerks plan on inspecting me. Hopefully not more than just this one time, but then again I wouldn't put it past them to come over once a month until I leave...Anyway, If this works, I'm really hoping to get her fat and happy for the next season, so keep in touch with me red (if you are interested)....I'm wanting to work something out with someone so we can get some albi's out of this thing....
Plus I figure that by the time next season comes around I should have a little more knowledge, and be out of this apartment sit-e-ation and on to bigger and better things.

Anyway, hope everyone has a great weekend! being that I don't have access to a computer except at work, I'll talk to you all on Monday!

Late,
F~

[tatdaddy]

s32.gifDid sombody say they needed a MARINE. Floyd you just give me the word and she won't be given you or anyone else a hard time. Hope things work out for you. Keep us posted on the sit-e-ation.


Cpl. J.D.Hanson
USMC 29 Palms s32.gif

[Floyd]

Hey Cpl! thanks for the offer....I've done a few recons myself and I'm not toooooo concerned anymore. I've got this one neighbor who absolutely loves my girl, so she offered to let me stash it at her place until things can change.

~29 palms huh..... I'll bet you've got the nice cool temperatures right now... ;D ;D ;D...what is it? like102 degrees? Don't trip on any of the left over ammunitions out there. :D..I didn't get to do much up there but visit a few of my friends..I was at C. Pend. for a while and got really messed up on Mount Mother F~...To this day, I would give anything to go back and become one of those vicious Drill Inst. I miss it.

Best of luck to you devil Dawg!

[tatdaddy]

More like low 90 to mid 80. Kinda cool this for this time of year. I am not b s5.gif en at all though.
I am glad to hear that you found a place for you littllllllllllleeeee girl.

Joshua s32.gif

[blueselaphe]

Floyd, check the bio!!! ;). Might I sugjest you rent out a "you store" shed. You realy have to research these, go with an "indoor" one, they are temp. controled and usually come with elec. hook up. About the old bat, big snake, old heart, dark hall, I think you know where I'm going with that one, plus, for the right price....... It would be a shame for you red blooded American tax payers to send someone like me to M.C. scout sniper school and never get to use my service..."Leagle Disclaimer"-  If this lady does go down with a gun shot wound, None of you have ever heard of me.. I never existed.........Out, Blue.. ;D cwm2.gif

[blueselaphe]

woops, I forgot the bios don't have occupation. Uh, I'm a Marine. Thats what I ment by check out my bio, nothing else... :-[... SO how about those Browns??? Out, Blue..

Tell the Cpl. that the SSgt. expects some good Rosies next time I'm out that way...

[draco842]

Hey I can baby sit for a little while. Where do you live in Houston I am out in Katy and just give me and email draco842@hotmail.com

[matthewpope]

I doubt they can do once a month inspections UNLESS it is included in your lease. They usually have to have extenuating reasons to enter otherwise, ESPECIALLY if it is unannounced. Maybe something like a toilet overflowing while you are gone and then running into the hallway might warrant such an unannounced entry.

If you are handy, you might want to simply build a “stealth” cage that can be momentarily “converted” into something else such as an innocent piece of furniture, etc. A little ingenuity could go a long way in designing something like this. You could have a nice long coffee table in your living room, maybe 5 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot that just has a nice tablecloth on it when visitors come over. Maybe otherwise it has a glass top and you can look down at your boa in there. All but the very largest of snakes could likely be easily concealed by such a tactic. I really don’t think they will turn the place upside down. They would probably just walk through.

But before you lay down and take this in a most painful and unpleasant fashion, I hope that you have indeed already inspected the lease to ensure the clauses specifically state all pets are not allowed or WHICH ones are not allowed. If you haven’t; you never know. Your landlord just might end up having to take this like a champ! BE SURE YOU investigate this!

In addition, I would CERTAINLY investigate the source of this complaint if you have not already, especially if you are certain you have never taken the animal out to be seen. Maybe even look and see if there is a way it can be seen out the window. Did you ever think that your landlord might just be nosing through people’s places? It happens. My friend busted his own landlord drinking his special import beer once, honest. If your landlord lives on site and is friends with this lady, I would be highly suspicious. One could easily tell a friend to phone in a complaint or even fabricate a complaint to cover up the illegal behavior that lead to the discovery of your “snakery” as I like to call mine.

If you do end up moving your boa out, I would demand to know from whom such a complaint originated and I would take this very seriously. Unlawful entry and the like are criminal offenses. If you end up keeping her anyway, I would be a little more “aerodynamic” in my approach and would wait until necessary to ruffle any tail feathers unless you have glaring evidence (not just suspicion) of an illegal entry.

In the end, I think our friendly Think Tank Administrator Jeff hit the nail on the head. Advertising your boas usually does little except draw the negative attention of many shallow minded and illogical people whom should likely be far more afraid of the neighbor’s dog and housecats. Whether or not we like it, what is just how it is.

Best wishes in this Rich and keep me posted on the outcome.

Matthew

[Shawn]

Change your locks! I always change mine no matter where I live. I have a dog and one nice little note on the door that says "DOG WILL BITE!!!" No one ever even bothers to try the key in the lock. As a matter of fact, one complex re-keyed the entire complex and the locksmith even reported that the lock was not original. I got a little note, told them the old lock broke over a weekend and i had to rplace it. They never changed it. when I left, I put the original back on.
Shawn

[Floyd]

well...She just shed last night and she looks so nice...I just wished she was still at my house. my neighbor loves the fact that she is able to keep her over there (about 20 steps away) so at least I have a place to keep her for now and I don't have to sell her. My x-room mate still has all the others and I'm not too worried about those as much as I am my big girl. I think that when I move out of these apartments that I will then decide on purchasing an albino male (sub - to - adult) and work on my breeding then...By then I figure that I can cwm15.gif read up enough to know more about what I am getting into and save up a little to decide if I wanna purchase another animal or just work something out with someone else who has a HEALTHY & decent looking male for the right price or give up a % of the offspring. I know some people disagree with "stud" charges but if it gets me what I want and the person doesn't have a problem on their end, then all is well. If all goes well...heck, Iid be willing to probably go 50-50 with someone that I could trust. but as most of you know trust comes a long way from no where. Anyway, like I said for now she is doing well, I'm picking up a HUGE rabbit for her this weekend so hopefully she will be fat and happy for a while. So long as she is still mine, that's all that matters to me. I'll be out of this sit-e-ashun soon enough and once I am, I'm back to boas Galore!!!!

I really appreciate everyone's advice. Especially yours Matthew, I'm sure that with a creative mind I could turn my coffee table into something of a tank.

Happy halloween everyone,

Floyd

[HerperCCC]

Hey, just stumbled across this thread today. Any updates for us Floyd??? I hope things have worked themselves out OK for you, I can't imagine being in your situation ::)

-CCC