A woman who had recently moved into her new home in Workington was met with an unexpected resident when a kingsnake slithered out of her kitchen boiler on Monday evening. The startled homeowner promptly contacted Pet Encounter Cumbria, an animal sanctuary, for assistance with the unusual discovery.
Siobhan Harkness from Pet Encounter Cumbria confirmed that the sanctuary was alerted to the reptile's presence at approximately 8:00 PM BST. Upon rescuing the snake, it was noted that the animal had sustained some scale damage and appeared to be very hungry. The team at the sanctuary immediately provided rehydration, a health check, and food before the snake settled in for the night.
Investigations by the sanctuary suggest that the previous owner of the property had kept three snakes. It is believed that these pets may have been released or abandoned before the house was vacated, as Ms Harkness indicated that the other two snakes were yet to be found. She strongly condemned such actions, stating that "no animal deserves to be treated like that" and emphasised that abandoning or releasing animals into the wild is never an appropriate solution, with resources available to help rehome pets.
The rescued kingsnake is now receiving comprehensive care at Pet Encounter Cumbria. Despite its initial condition, Ms Harkness described it as a "lovely snake" that will soon be in need of a permanent home. The sanctuary frequently takes in animals requiring rehoming, highlighting the ongoing issue of pet abandonment.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities associated with pet ownership and the ethical treatment of animals. Animal welfare organisations consistently advocate for responsible rehoming practices rather than abandonment, which can lead to suffering for the animals and potential ecological disruption if non-native species are released into the wild.