When the resident in Waterhead opened their kitchen cabinet at breakfast time, they found a stray little reptile lurking inside.
The householder urgently contacted the RSPCA for assist and a rescue group got here to take away the corn snake.
Attempts have been made to hint the proprietor of the ‘escape artist’, as rescue officers suspected she may need come from a home close by, however couldn’t be discovered.
The snake has since been adopted by a brand new proprietor.
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RSPCA animal rescue officer, David Cottingham, stated: “It’s not day-after-day you come down for breakfast and discover a snake in your kitchen cabinet.
“The householder did the correct factor in contacting the RSPCA.
“This pretty corn snake was about two toes lengthy.
“I suspected that she had escaped from a home close by, so I made enquiries on the neighbouring homes, however sadly couldn’t find the proprietor and there was no microchip.”
Mr Cottingham then took the snake to the vet for a check-up and stated, other than “being soiled” and having a few bruises and scars, she was “completely wholesome”.
The reptile briefly stayed in a non-public boarding facility for seven days earlier than discovering her new home.
While the resident was shocked to make the invention, the RSPCA stated the summer time months are all the time “busy” for the rescue group responding to calls about snakes.
Last 12 months, the charity obtained greater than 1,000 stories about snakes with the best variety of calls coming in in the course of the summer time months.
Mr Cottingham added: “Snakes are glorious escape artists and can take the chance of a spot in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
“Because snakes turn into extra energetic throughout scorching climate, we urge all pet snake house owners to be additional vigilant presently of 12 months, put money into an enclosure appropriate for the actual species and ensure the enclosure is saved safe – and locked is important – when unattended.”
Many of the snakes the group is known as out to gather are considered escaped pets, however the charity additionally has to take care of plenty of snakes which have been deserted by their house owners.
The RSPCA finds that many individuals are unaware of how a lot of a dedication these animals are after they take them on, which they imagine contributes to the lots of of animals yearly who’ve been deserted when their house owners can now not meet their wants.
Mr Cottingham continued: “Exotic pets resembling snakes usually find yourself within the RSPCA’s care after folks realise they are not simple to look after, or the novelty wears off.
“Others are rescued after they’ve been deserted or been launched on objective, which then may pose a threat to our native wildlife.
“The wants of reptiles will be difficult to satisfy as a result of they’re simply the identical as they might be within the wild and are essentially linked to sure behaviours, diets or environmental circumstances that may be troublesome to duplicate in a home atmosphere.
“We urge potential house owners of reptiles resembling snakes to totally analysis the wants of the actual species and what’s required within the care of the animal, utilizing knowledgeable sources.
“People ought to solely think about holding a snake if they’ll guarantee they’re totally capable of present for these wants.”
Snakes are fully depending on their house owners for lodging, heating, lighting and feed, all of which should replicate their wild habitat as carefully as attainable to maintain them wholesome.
Without correct care, they’ll endure from critical illnesses, dehydration, accidents, parasites and even dying in extreme circumstances.
Most unique animals saved as pets are additionally unlikely to outlive within the wild in Britain and non-native species may publish a critical menace to our native wildlife.
As such, it’s unlawful to launch, or enable to flee, any species that aren’t usually native to the UK.
If anybody finds a snake they imagine is non-native the RSPCA’s recommendation is to maintain a secure distance, monitor the snake and name the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999 or a neighborhood reptile charity can even be capable of assist.
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