info

[AzR@k]

i was wondering about the laws in ontario about owning a venomous snake what types are aloud and what are not

[Grant vg]

None are aloud...Bottom line...unless u have some sort of permit.... im not sure what u need to have to get a permit of that sort but i doubt any of us could get one if we wanted./...

[AzR@k]

now i sorta wish i lived in the states!

[Dom]

No u dont Canada rules!

Its a long and extremelly frustrating crisis to obtain such permits .. and even when u get them .. why would you wnat a hot you can touch.. I find that that kinda sucks ..

Dont get me wrong, where I work, we have a good 25 different species of hots (including a western and and easter Gaboon Viper!) and I love to look at them but I can garantee I would never want one..

For once I agrre with the laws..


_______________________


On an other note .. are those laws not actually BY LAWS implying that if you are out in the boonies you can pretty much anything you want???


Take care guys (and gurls!)

Dom

[Chris @ C.H.S.]

There are "laws" pertaining to, or restricting the keeping of venomous animals {and others} and the most "effective" / more widely enforced are municiple "by-laws". These laws are applicable to the area of the province in which you live. Eg. If you live in oh, let's say Whitby, Ont. {Hi Jeffy!} they are enforced by local or "Town of Whitby" by-law officers {hired/working for } the specific municpality in question. There are no provincial "laws" here in Ontario as there is no need for such. The/your municple government has "taken care of it" at the ground level by passing the "local" by-law therefore elliminating the need for such "higher" government enforcement. However if you where to live in say, oh "Snakekeeperstown", Ont. and there are no municple by-laws against {or regulating} the keeping of the animals in question you may, and are free to do so. Having said that there are ways around certain situations BUT!, there are no "permits" available other than to accredited zoos etc. These "permits are issued by the provincial government and not usually available to single persons.I would think that even certain zoos may benefit from their geographical location in regards to the legal b.s. that one may encounter while attempting to do something the "right way" Anyway, bottom line is check your local/town's by-law{s} and adhere to them as the majority of them "make sense". I can't say that I agree with all of the currently enforced by-laws but thats another topic altogether. Anyway...hope this helps.Cheers!

Chris @ C.H.S.

[AzR@k]

but i want a gaboon viper they look so nice

[Dom]

Eastern or western?

[Jeff_Favelle]

The new issue of Reptiles is all about hots!

[AzR@k]

a western

[Chris @ C.H.S.]

I must say that if you ever have the chance to see one or two up close {not too close} and personal you will not be dissapointed in the least. Of every species of snake that I have kept past or present... they are still my fav. {sigh}

Chris @ C.H.S.

[AzR@k]

why are there such strict laws about owning them??
why can people own retic's but not venomous snakes like the gaboon viper? i personally see it as if people dont know you have it then it is all good! just like if you live in Toronto i believe the bi-law is no snakes over 9 feet but ppl still do it. so i think if i ever get a chance to get 1 or 2 i will

[Chris @ C.H.S.]

Welp, as I said earlier, I don't completely agree with all the current by-laws BUT for the most part the majority of them do make sense and actually in Toronto you are not allowed to keep retics or any snake which "has the potential of exceeding 3 metres in adult length". Soooo... And as for what people do and don't know, obviously "keeping quiet" does not offer you any exemption or ? from the current by-laws. Now, having said that, I do belive that there are "other options" that if applied and enforced properly would and could allow for the safe and secure keeping of certain animals. {Eg. The state of Florida. } but again, the fence in which I sometimes sit is crowded with both biased and practical opinions.

Chris @ C.H.S.

[AzR@k]

what do u mean buy other options?
i do agree with not owning them but if u have the knowledge and the proper housing for the snake you should be aloud to have it..but that is just my opinion...

[Chris @ C.H.S.]

Unfortunately I really don't feel that the "other options" are/would be acceptable to most as they would be still pose a conflict with a current by-law as such. The state of Florida has a process in which you can apply for a state issued permit and, having read the requirements, I feel that this or a similar system would work equally well here {or anywhere}. But who am I? The process in which you apply is quite involved and really makes a great deal of sense BUT let's face facts. There is a much greater volume of people into the hobby in the state of Florida and they{state government} deemed it nessessary. The population of herpers and popularity of this "hobby" {keeping venomous snakes is not really at "hobby" level, but anyways,} is huge down there and that alone facilitates the need for such an "arrangement". Aside from all the economic benefits this system has shown/proven {and obviously those same benefits would apply here... job creation ,licence fees etc.}we as herp people are the minority, usually anywhere we live and that brings us to...democratic decissions. The mob rules, and we are not the...well, you get the picture. Anyway, this is a topic that is very dear to me but I really should not open this can as personal opinion, however strong just won't fit here. At least not right now. Stay tuned and MAYBE I"ll get into rant mode one day! Thanx!

Chris @ C.H.S.

[AzR@k]

i do personally wish that the bi-laws were like flordia's but what can i do to change it nothing cause u are right honestly how many ppl want to own a venomous snake ( i know i do) but there are not enough of us to do ne thing about it so we that wish to own either have to live secretly with them or go with. i for 1 will get them and not blab to every 1 that i have them..... but thats me if i wanty sumpin i will eventually get it.....no matter what the cost.....i just have to be more caustious with these herps then others as long as i do iut right all will be good! i personnally dont agree with the fact that we cant own them but oh well.....ill just move to the middle of nowhere to own them

[Chris @ C.H.S.]

Yea, well, the middle the middle of nowhere works but please do not take the resonsiblity of keeping venomous snakes lightly as the "mistakes" made in this field are often irreversable, and get worse from there. And remember, that obtaining both methodical experience and practical experience can be difficult at the best of times. Knowledge and education is not what it seems in this "trade" and sometimes you may feel a victim to the credit card syndrome. Can't get credit without credit. Learn to walk before you run regardless of how long or difficult it is to "learn". I was very fortunate in that when my initial itch needed scratching I became friends with a very knowledgable keeper here in the Toronto area. Through Saturdays spent cleaning, feeding etc. his animals I was able to obtain some "basics" and then...well let's just say I'm still "learning" after more than 15yrs. working with these animals. Take care, good luck and feel free to "ask away". The only foolish question is the one you did not ask.

Chris @ C.H.S.

[AzR@k]

where was this place i am kinda interested in learning....i have worked with snakes before and i own them so i am always willing to learn i live in Toronto as well but i live in Etobicoke