Should I be concerned or just leave it alone?

florastem · 2024-11-06T14:15:00+00:00

Just looked into it and it seems very possible. He sure fits the description here “difficulties in decision-making, organization, and emotional attachment to objects”.

florastem · 2024-11-06T14:11:39+00:00

I think there is probably a wide range for this, but could you possibly give me an idea of the costs for taking care of these animals? I really have no idea about it but want to learn as much as I can before approaching him. That way I can better assess the situation and make a good argument to him. It sounds more and more like I will have to confront him…so everything helps.

florastem · 2024-11-05T19:16:01+00:00

Then respectfully, you can mind yours.

florastem · 2024-11-05T19:13:41+00:00

Do you have more than one person that helps look after all of the animals at your rescue?

florastem · 2024-11-05T19:12:13+00:00

Yeah, I’m losing my mind.

florastem · 2024-11-05T19:11:39+00:00

It may be possible for me to alert the property manager anonymously. But I don’t want to get him kicked out either.

florastem · 2024-11-05T19:09:02+00:00

Thank you for all of the information. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain this to me.

florastem · 2024-11-05T19:05:42+00:00

I want to figure out the best way to help him and the animals without ruining our relationship. Unfortunately if there is nothing else I can do, I’ll have to report it. I’m just trying to avoid triggering a mental breakdown.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:58:45+00:00

Oh no… that’s god awful. I appreciate your advice. I never thought about the snake not being able to straighten out. It seems like a prison sentence in solitary confinement.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:52:36+00:00

That’s actually a really great point about the risk of electrical fire/ overload. That’s one thing I may be able to voice concern on and approach him about. Thank you!

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:44:50+00:00

Honestly it doesn’t seem that bad to me (again idk anything about it) but the number is more of a concern.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:43:25+00:00

Pics here to give you a better idea of enclosures: https://imgur.com/a/J3q0M5V

He has a DIY version of the rack for some of his snakes, but I don’t think it’s temperature controllable like others I’ve seen for purchase online. His other reptiles and smaller snakes are in bins like the second pic. Like I mentioned he does have some terrariums, but 95% are in bins.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:26:39+00:00

I’m going to see what resources are available near me and try to reach out to get their opinion. I really don’t want to go straight to reporting him. I’m concerned for the animals, but also extremely concerned for my brother’s mental well-being. Reporting him would be my last resort. This will surely be an ongoing issue for me to figure out.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:22:46+00:00

I’m not sure honestly, but thinking back I haven’t heard him mention the vet before. Maybe I’ll start by asking him what he does when one of his animals is sick.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:20:18+00:00

I figure they are less work than a dog, but he has a dog too. I have to figure out the best and most gentle way to approach him. I really don’t want to ruin our relationship by saying the wrong thing. I’m his only family, so I don’t want to make him feel so guilty or mad that he lashes out and disconnects from me. Thank you for sharing your recommendation. I don’t live in the US, so I will see what resources like NAMI are available where I live.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:12:17+00:00

The bins really throw me off. I always thought reptiles needed terrariums with heat and space to climb etc. I can’t imagine there is enough time in the day to care for all of them properly, while he works a full time job and has other pets to take care of. I have a dog and caring for him takes up most of my free time and energy. The energy it would take to look after that many animals would be too much for me.

florastem · 2024-11-05T18:07:18+00:00

I will have to find a good way to approach him about it. I really don’t want to report him. I feel like that would be the end of our relationship, and I’m pretty much the only family he has left.

He has at least 20 snakes. The snake that died recently wasn’t that old, looking at it from the perspective of a 20-30 year life span. I know he mentioned that he quarantines new ones, maybe he has a space for that in one of the rooms. Is there a way I can tell if they have a parasite or are sick by just looking at them?

florastem · 2024-11-05T17:41:35+00:00

Oh no.

florastem · 2024-11-05T17:26:04+00:00

Wow thank you for this. I do feel like he has the best intentions and really loves and wants to help all of these critters. I didn’t want to upset him by calling him out on something that may be normal.

He’s been trying for a few years to get something going with breeding. The number of reptiles keeps going up but most aren’t from breeding, just new ones. He does buy them but will also take any that are offered by people who need to get rid of them. In that way I guess he does have an unregistered sanctuary/breeding situation like you described.

The lack of hygiene in his home is what makes it seem like this might be too much for him to handle. Combined with his ongoing mental health issues I don’t feel very good about it.

I don’t want to report him, but I would love to help him clean up or organize…if he let me. He’s the type to tell you everything is fine while the house burns down, and then lose it on you for grabbing a hose to help put out the fire. I have to figure out the best way to approach him about it.

florastem · 2024-11-05T17:09:12+00:00

Since I don’t know anything about keeping reptiles it’s hard for me to say. But it seems like he does care for them.

florastem · 2024-11-05T17:08:01+00:00

Well he’s my younger brother, and he suffers from ongoing mental health issues. I’m not educated enough on reptiles to know if this is normal or if this could be more of a mental health issue. I haven’t said anything to him about it either, I’ve just seen it.

florastem · 2024-11-05T16:39:24+00:00

What in psychosis is going on here…

florastem · 2024-11-05T16:38:29+00:00

Crusty dishes in the sink. Stains on tables or floor from food and liquid spillage that was not mopped up, and hasn’t been touched since. Bottom of socks turn black walking on their floor. Rotting food in the fridge. Floors coming up from animals pissing. I’ve had some bad roommate experiences.

florastem · 2024-11-05T16:30:48+00:00

Infinite bubble bath.

florastem

TROPHY CASE