Okay I can't get a straight answer from the PAFBC on removing snakes from people's homes. For some reason I get called from time to time. Just because the local police know that I know about snakes and have extensive experience with them. 30 years. Which includes doing educational programs and so on. Anyway-I called the PAFBC last year and they told me-they don't remove snakes cos they don't have the budget or manpower.
"Snakes can be removed by anyone-a neighbor, a police officer, a snake expert, exterminator, wildlife center-because we don't do it anymore" "The only restriction is that whoever does it may not kill the snakes"
Now wait does that include protected species ? and she said Yes. I asked does that include Rattlesnakes and Copperheads for which you need a permit and she said "it's not like you're catching them to keep or eat, so it's different." So I then asked-"but can't I get into trouble for possession?" :She said "Not under those circumstances-you are an agent of the police"
Okay?
This year-I called again about this-and the guy asked who told me the original info and I told him. He's not sure that is correct and is supposed to get back to me. He morally thinks it's fine to try to save the animals but doesn't know what the legalities are. Does anyone here have a clue? Most people won't remove a Milksnake from their bathroom closet!! etc.
BTW-Since websites like this and mine and other ones can ID snakes online quickly-80 % of the people who get IDs will leave it alone-unless it's in their house or is venomous.
I don't want to get into trouble for by doing something the police ask me to do.
Just to note-I never keep anything-I release them outside the home or within the same area because I know they have territories.
