You do not need to handle this alone.
Call animal control if: The snake is in a living area (kitchen, bedroom, living room) and you cannot safely isolate it. Animal control officers are trained to capture and relocate snakes.
Call a wildlife removal service if: The snake is venomous, large, or inaccessible (inside a wall, under a heavy appliance). Wildlife removal specialists have the tools and training to handle venomous species.
Call a neighbor (only if): You are certain the snake is non-venomous and you just need moral support. Do not ask an untrained neighbor to handle a snake you’re unsure about.
Emergency services (911) are NOT appropriate for most snake encounters. Reserve 911 for actual medical emergencies—like if someone has been bitten. Animal control is the right resource.
What to tell the dispatcher:
- Where the snake is (room, furniture, location within the room)
- Size and color (from memory, don’t go back to look)
- Whether you think it’s venomous (and why)
- Whether anyone has been bitten
