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Snake found in bread aisle of Maryport food store
bbc.com • • world
Key Points:
- Pet Encounter, an animal education organisation in Cumbria, has rescued over 20 snakes this year, including a baby corn snake found in the bread aisle of a Heron Foods store in Maryport.
- Handler Ben Nicholson attributes the rise in surrendered snakes to cost of living struggles, as maintaining exotic pets requires expensive equipment and energy use.
- Originally focused on education, Pet Encounter is considering becoming a charity to better support the increasing number of abandoned or surrendered exotic animals.
- Lack of education about exotic pet care and trends, such as Harry Potter-themed pet ownership, contribute to animals being abandoned or surrendered.
- Similar concerns were raised by Little Beasties, a pet shop and rescue service, after multiple snake rescues highlighted inadequate information provided to prospective snake owners.
