Going to college... What do I do with my Ball Python?

VenomousKiss · 06-21-13, 02:44 AM

This is probably the most depressing problem I have ever faced.

I'm going to college this fall, and my dorms don't allow pets... I've contacted them several times, but to no avail. They're pretty strict on their policies. I can't trust any of my extended family members with her; she originally belonged to my cousin, but he was abusing her (NEVER cleaned her tank, hit her because she bit him, and he tried to feed her cat food...

). The rest of my family is pretty unconcerned with the welfare of animals, and my parents simply hate her... In fact, I'm pretty sure they were counting on me letting her die when they let me have her, since I was pretty terrified of her for the first few days... but instead I fell in love with her.

I was looking at finding a job so I could pay for an apartment, but my dad kind of got in the way. He's EXTREMELY strict and thinks I'm going to get murdered on my way to school (ludicrous; I've walked outside really late and nothing happened to me). Plus he thinks I won't go to school if I start working... My mom isn't much better, and I can't really argue against them since they're paying for everything. If I'd gone to my state school, I could have started working and paying for everything myself, but I stupidly decided to go to Mount Holyoke and there's no way I can afford the pricey tuition on my own...

I've read all these horror stories about people who sold their reptiles, and I really don't want to let her go... I've been considering purchasing one of those snake racks so that I could disguise it as clothing shelves, but I'm kind of worried that it won't work. I won't be having a roommate, so it could work, but I'm not sure. What should I do?

smy_749 · 06-21-13, 06:28 AM

Where are you located? If your alone I think you could get away with it, lots of people do it.

bcr229 · 06-21-13, 06:45 AM

If you're concerned about shipping, check FaceBook for reptile and ball python discussion groups for your local area, and offer her free up there so you can meet the new owner in person.

I have 24 snakes in the house, only one was shipped in (SYR/FedEx). Not sure I want to do it again as the hand-delivered ones settled in within 2-3 days, while the little girl who was shipped acted stressed for about 2 weeks.

Ourobouros · 06-21-13, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Where are you located? If your alone I think you could get away with it, lots of people do it.

I second this motion. I would sneak the snake in. They don't make noise and you could disguise the tank as a table or hide the tank in a cardboard box like it's for storage if they do any inspections.

sweatshirt · 06-21-13, 07:21 AM

If you DO sneak the ball python in... MAKE SURE you have a back up, though. In case someone finds it, have someone to send the snake to in an emergency. I doubt they would find it, but just in case.

Ourobouros · 06-21-13, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweatshirt

If you DO sneak the ball python in... MAKE SURE you have a back up, though. In case someone finds it, have someone to send the snake to in an emergency. I doubt they would find it, but just in case.

And make sure any supplies for it you have are concealed in a box or some other container so they don't start getting suspicious

**Aaron_S** · 06-21-13, 07:55 AM

What the hell?

Why are people encouraging others to break rules/policies?

If the school is really strict what if they decide to kick you out along with the snake? How would that affect your education trying to find another place to live on such short notice?

My advice, find another home. You have all summer. Scour the internet and network your local community for a good person.

KORBIN5895 · 06-21-13, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

What the hell?

Why are people encouraging others to break rules/policies?

If the school is really strict what if they decide to kick you out along with the snake? How would that affect your education trying to find another place to live on such short notice?

My advice, find another home. You have all summer. Scour the internet and network your local community for a good person.

This.

I don't get why people have so little disregard for rules and openly advocating it.

slowhite03 · 06-21-13, 08:53 AM

Are you here for the feeding?

This is the first thing that came to my mind when reading this thread

**EL Ziggy** · 06-21-13, 09:20 AM

Don't get in trouble at school. Find a good temporary or permanent home for your snake. Maybe you can get her back or get a new pet when you are able to get your own place. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. Put your education first.

smy_749 · 06-21-13, 09:29 AM

I had no idea there were so many righteous human beings in these forums. Nobody ever partied in dorms, went to a girls dorm that they weren't supposed to, smoked weed, drank before 21, sped on the highway, cheated on a test, nothing right?

Everyone knows that kids go to college to follow all the rules!
Get off your high horses, you all break the law some how. I wasn't encouraging her to do it, but the same time I highly doubt they will permanently kick her out of the university when they usually just give students who do much worse a slap on the wrist or an F in a course or something.

I guess I'm just a rebel without a cause, I've rolled through a few stop signs in my day.

Amadeus · 06-21-13, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

I had no idea there were so many righteous human beings in these forums. Nobody ever partied in dorms, went to a girls dorm that they weren't supposed to, smoked weed, drank before 21, sped on the highway, cheated on a test, nothing right?

Everyone knows that kids go to college to follow all the rules!
Get off your high horses, you all break the law some how. I wasn't encouraging her to do it, but the same time I highly doubt they will permanently kick her out of the university when they usually just give students who do much worse a slap on the wrist or an F in a course or something.

I guess I'm just a rebel without a cause, I've rolled through a few stop signs in my day.

I almost pissed my pant lolol

rolled through a few stop signs....

**Aaron_S** · 06-21-13, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

I had no idea there were so many righteous human beings in these forums. Nobody ever partied in dorms, went to a girls dorm that they weren't supposed to, smoked weed, drank before 21, sped on the highway, cheated on a test, nothing right?

Everyone knows that kids go to college to follow all the rules!
Get off your high horses, you all break the law some how. I wasn't encouraging her to do it, but the same time I highly doubt they will permanently kick her out of the university when they usually just give students who do much worse a slap on the wrist or an F in a course or something.

I guess I'm just a rebel without a cause, I've rolled through a few stop signs in my day.

Not all kids have daddy's money or business to fall back on.

This isn't about a high horse it's about someone's future. Education is paramount and I don't see how an "F" is any less serious than being kicked out. It would surely drop the GPA and may lose someone their funding to stay in school. Way to go! Your analogy has someone dropping out of school instead of being kicked out of a dorm. A+ to you.

sweatshirt · 06-21-13, 09:40 AM

It's true though that maybe OP shouldn't risk her education.
This thread has me thinking what I'll do when I go to college. I know she'd be safe with either of my parents but they'd never hold her.

**Aaron_S** · 06-21-13, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweatshirt

It's true though that maybe OP shouldn't risk her education.
This thread has me thinking what I'll do when I go to college. I know she'd be safe with either of my parents but they'd never hold her.

1. You can live off campus.

2. I don't know the personal school or policies but depending on the day the "manager/supervisor/RA" or whomever is having could decide the person's future there.