Can I Donate a Red Boa to a Zoo?

It is hard enough to find good homes for unwanted kittens and puppies. In the case of large reptiles, it is even more difficult. A red-tail boa can live for up to 30 years and requires specialized and expensive care and equipment. While you should always think carefully before acquiring any animal, you can try to re-home a snake if your circumstances unexpectedly change. One of the best options is a zoo -- although even that option is fraught with issues.

  1. Issues

    • Zoos have limited space and resources. In some places, more unwanted reptiles need homes than local zoos could possibly house. Unfortunately, people often take on exotic pets without considering the care these animals need and the years of commitment. A baby snake is not difficult to house. An eight-foot adult boa is. The result is a lot of large snakes looking for homes, because the cute, novelty pets grew. While a nearby zoo will try its best to help, it may not be able to. The zoo also runs the risk of diseases being passed onto their animals from re-homed pets.

    Procedure

    • Arrange a veterinary appointment. A vet who specializes in reptiles can provide advice on how to contact the nearest zoo and who to speak to. He may even provide medical care for the zoo's reptiles as well. A clean bill of health for the boa also raises the chances of the zoo, or anywhere else, taking on your pet. Don't restrict yourself to zoos in the immediate vicinity -- zoos further afield may be able to take the boa if your local one can't, or provide contact details for reptile rescue centers.

    Other Options

    • Animal sanctuaries usually don't have the facilities to house large snakes but some do. Some sanctuaries specialize in unwanted reptiles. To find such places, contact the ASPCA, the Humane Society, a reptile club in your area, or a supplier. These organizations may also be able to put you in touch with individuals looking for a snake. Additionally, you can advertise online, in reptile magazines and in local newspapers. It is up to you to make sure a potential owner will look after the red-tail boa properly. Preparing a list of questions on how a potential recipient proposes to look after the snake helps eliminate unsuitable people.

    Worst-Case Scenario

    • If nobody can care for your pet properly, releasing your pet "into the wild" is not an option. He might not survive in the wild and you would be condemning your pet to a slow death. On the other hand, he might be just fine but cause problems for native wildlife, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Contact your nearest Fish and Wildlife Service branch for more help, although the only option may be to get your snake euthanized.