College student looking to get a garter(need advice)

[Jorjor]

I'm in Connecticut, also if you need another "snake sitter". I am already snake sitting for someone and would be willing to help out as well. PM me also. Ashley may be closer to you though.

Looks like the drive to Danbury is only 10 minutes longer(and no tolls according to my phone at least), so I'll definitely PM you as well. Thanks to you both for giving me some options. FYI I'll probably be getting the snake in the fall since I only have 5 more weeks till summer break at this point.

[NancyG]

Firstly. I'd like to compliment you on being responsible and having the foresight to anticipate these problems. (cheers)
Having skimmed the thread, it sounds like you may have some options already set. And it mostly seems like that is the way to deal with it.. Finding people willing to reach into a snake cage even to just to refill a water bowl, even when the snakes are docile and harmless, can be difficult.

I ran into this issue too when I go on vacation out of town: A weekend is not a big deal, but longer can be a problem, I solved it the same way you are now, I have a couple local friends who have had snakes before and were willing to take them. (the lady who took care of my cat is seriously wiggy about "SnaeKS' (grin))
I did find that the vet I take my snakes to will also kennel them, but at the price of 10$/Day/cage it was prohibitive. You might also look for a reptile rescue group that might be able to temporarily house them, or know of local herpers who would. My brief inquiries into a few pet sitting services revealed that they are mostly cat and dog and fish. (at least here)

I semi-seriously joked with a friend who was job hunting that he should turn one of his spare bedrooms into a reptile room for pet sitting.. He'd had snakes before so he knew how to handle them. It seems like a niche market that could be very helpful to reptile owners.

[d_virginiana]

I just happened to re-notice this thread, and I thought of one thing you might want to keep in mind when you buy the snake. I'm pretty sure California has laws prohibiting owning certain native species (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis is the only one I'm aware of that's commonly sold). But since you may be flying/shipping the snake at some point, thought I'd bring it up.

[Jorjor]

I just happened to re-notice this thread, and I thought of one thing you might want to keep in mind when you buy the snake. I'm pretty sure California has laws prohibiting owning certain native species (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis is the only one I'm aware of that's commonly sold). But since you may be flying/shipping the snake at some point, thought I'd bring it up.

I know, it's kind of a bummer because I really love the Santa Cruz garters good thing scott felzer doesn't breed them anymore, because I would so take advantage of the fact that I'm living in Mass (bad me)