Putney Animal Hospital Takes In Another Snake

Southwark lady found Mavis a corn snake in her airing cupboard


Mavis interacts with staff at Putney Animal Hospital

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A Londoner had a shock when she opened her airing cupboard and spotted a snake slithering underneath the vacuum cleaner!

Kasia Radochonska, from Southwark, London, was choosing shoes when she spotted the little corn snake slithering through the warm airing cupboard on Saturday 16 February.


Mavis in the airing cupboard

“I opened the cupboard in my flat where I keep my shoes and other bits and bobs,” she said. “I looked at the vacuum cleaner and noticed something red, like rope. Then it moved and I thought: ‘Oh my god, it’s a snake!’

“I shut the door as I didn’t want her to go missing and I sat in the kitchen and waited for the RSPCA to arrive. I probably would have been more frightened had she been a big snake but she was only small. If it had been a spider, I would have run a mile!”

RSPCA animal collection officer Joe Tambini went to Kasia’s flat, in Cadet Drive, and collected the little snake. He said: “Kasia had been knocking on doors in her block to find out if anyone was missing a snake but no one claimed her. She was a bit cold so I took her to RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital where she was put in a vivarium to heat up.

“People are always surprised to hear that we actually get called out to collect lots of escaped snakes who have gone wandering around the neighbourhood. They can slither out of their vivariums and into stranger’s homes; we’ve even had some hide for months before coming out later, much to the householder’s shock!”

The young corn snake - now nicknamed Mavis by RSPCA staff - is in good condition and, if not claimed by an owner, will move to an RSPCA rehoming centre to find a new keeper.

Kasia said: “I don’t know how she got into our flat, how long she’d been there or where she came from! You expect to spot a mouse in your flat, or a rat, or even a fox who might wander in off the street. But I never thought I’d find a snake under the Hoover!”

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit their website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.

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February 24, 2020

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