"The needs of reptiles can be challenging to meet because they are just the same as they would be in the wild and are fundamentally linked to certain behaviours, diets or environmental conditions that can be difficult to replicate in a domestic environment. "Sadly, our recently released Animal Kindness Index identified that the cost of living crisis is a huge threat to pet welfare in the UK and we would urge anyone who is struggling to cope with their pets to contact their local vet or rescue centre and ask for help. Others are rescued after they have been abandoned or released on purpose, which then could pose a risk to our native wildlife. " Exotic pets such as snakes often end up in the RSPCA's care after people realise they're not easy to care for, or the novelty wears off. We find that many people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are when they take them on, which we believe may be why we are called out to deal with hundreds of animals every year who have sadly been abandoned when their owners can no longer meet their needs. Sadly, we also have to deal with a lot of abandoned snakes. "Many of the snakes the RSPCA's officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets. While sunlight is good for reptiles, the RSPCA urges owners to ensure that their pet is kept secure when doing so, as they can warm up and move very quickly on a sunny day. "Another reason why more snakes escape in the summer is that some owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight. So a few extra minutes checking that your snake is secure could help save our officer's time and allow them to save an animal that's in danger. "As highlighted in our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, the RSPCA receives around 90,000 calls to its emergency line every month but in the summer calls rise to 134,000 a month and our officers are flat out trying to prioritise animals affected by cruelty and neglect. So we would urge all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that the enclosure is kept secure - and locked if necessary - when unattended. This is not surprising, as snakes become more active during hot weather. "Last year, we took over 1,200 reports about snakes, with the highest number of calls coming in during the summer months. "Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it. RSPCA Scientific Officer, Evie Button, said: Many of the rescue snakes are thought to be escaped pets This year, as the heatwave continues, the charity advises snake owners to be particularly careful and double-check that animal enclosures are securely fastened. Last year, the RSPCA received 1,219 reports about pet snakes in need of help, with numbers of calls reaching a height of around 180 per month - that's nearly six per day on average - during the hottest months of June, July and August. The surprised resident described how he "jumped and screamed" after lifting the lid of his wheelie bin and finding a snake staring back at him. The warning comes as a stray 3.5ft-long corn snake was found loose in a wheelie bin in Stoke-on-Trent last week (7 July). Last year saw 1,219 reports about pet snakes The RSPCA advises snake owners to be extra-vigilant as the charity braces for a rise in stray pet snakes due to the hot weather. The animal charity advises exotic pet owners to keep their snakes securely contained as hot weather can make the animals very active and more likely to escape.
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