Crestfallen - Rosy Boa Rescue Put on Hold

[MelissaFlipski]

Well, I called the foster mom at her job today b4 going to pick up the Rosy Boa rescue. She hadn't brought him and said he had stuck shed over one of his eyes ("I don't even know if his eye is under there. It's dented in...."), had mites (according to what she said last week, she did not quarantine him and is treating all her snakes, not sure how many but at least 2 others), wasn't eating, had soaked for the eyecaps, and she force fed him on Friday and he had kept it down so far. So she didn't want to contaminate my snakes. I am not sure, but I guess this is an '07 and I am terrified that he won't make it.

I came home, close to tears, and told my husband. I also had his tank already partly set up with the rest of the supplies in the car.

I don't understand, b/c she offered me the snake last Tuesday, when she said that he was eating live (why would she force feed so soon if he had then stopped?) and did not mention any stuck shed, etc. (wouldn't she have noticed?). And I called her Thursday to say that yes, I wanted the snake and she did not mention any issues then. Today she said that she didn't really look at him, but put him directly into his habitat when she got him home to let him settle in (half of a divided 40 gal tank, the other side with her Ball in it). Where did this thing get mites from? Someone who works at TWO different pet stores does not know to quarantine a new introduction?

My husband's theory is that she is stringing me along b/c she found someone in the meantime that will pay $ for the Rosy. This afternoon, I stopped by her job where she was to offer to take the snake off her hands anyway and put it in a quarantine room, but she had already left for the day.

I am so depressed - maybe in a few weeks? But I actually prefer that the horror story not be true, and that he is happy and healthy in someone else's house right now.

[littleindiangirl]

that is odd behavior. I would use caution with this one. Perhaps she is trying to make it look like she has put money into the animal and expects compensation? It may be in your best interest to walk away, you can't save them all.

[Ladydragon]

aww Melissa, so sorry to hear things are turning out as they are, but I too agree with erring on the side of caution.. it does sound rather "fishy" to me. I do hope it does go in your favor.

[MelissaFlipski]

Thanks, gals. After I posted, that was the other option I came up with. Funny, too, b/c when she told me about mites and treating all the snakes, etc., it was my first instinct to help in some way, even financially. But I am glad I didn't vocalize the monetary part.

If she asks for $, I'll tell her the truth. It's too bad she didn't quarantine. And we are broke right now.

My husband says to stay away from her and not even call.

I'll climb out of this hole after awhile, I guess.

[littleindiangirl]

Yea, it sounds like this would be more trouble than it's worth. I wish you the best.

[Shelby]

I'm so sorry to hear that.. I know how excited you were about the rosy.

The lady is acting a bit suspicious though..

[MelissaFlipski]

Update: I did call the foster mom again. She said that he shed. The mites, apparently, have not spread to her other snakes. Maybe a week? I gave her my number and will leave it at that. I am not sure if it will go through or not. But her story is becoming more and more implausible.

I would still like the snake to give him a good home, even if she is acting shady.

I'll keep you posted.