It turns out the Burnaby Mountain pythons aren’t the only snakes that have been found in local parks recently.
The Burnaby SPCA received seven snakes – one boa constrictor and six ball pythons – after a woman walking in Forest Glen Park found them in plastic containers.
Ryan Voutilainen, spokesperson for the Burnaby SPCA, said the scenario was “troubling” as the snakes were likely abandoned and not fit to survive outdoors.
“They’re going to suffer a slow death unfortunately,” he said.
In fact, one was already dead when it was brought in. Unlike the Burnaby Mountain pythons, which are loose outdoors, these snakes were all found in individual containers, and they were brought to the SPCA on July 21.
The snakes were no longer than two feet, according to Voutilainen, and they were sent to a vet for care, even though the woman who found them wanted to keep them.
“They didn’t look well. We could tell something was wrong,” Voutilainen said.
The snakes had some kind of highly contagious gastro-intestinal illness, Voutilainen said. The SPCA held them for a while, in case the owner claimed them, but they couldn’t go to a rescue group, because they are already inundated with ball pythons, Voutilainen said. All remaining six snakes had to be put down.
“We’re the ones left to do the horrible work to euthanize them,” he said. “There are just not enough homes for these guys.”
Snakes aren’t the only abandoned pets the SPCA has dealt with. Last year, the organization took in a tortoise, a chameleon and one snake. Voutilainen said people who abandon pets can be charged under B.C.’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
If anyone finds pet snakes outdoors, call the SPCA at 604-291-7201.
