Ref. 29957-90This boa constrictor was found on a local bus . . . one of a growing number of abandoned exotic pets the RSPCA has to deal with. KEVIN SHOESMITH finds out how the animal charity deals with the problem.

SWINDON may be thousands of miles from the tropics but the sight of an exotic snake is not that uncommon.

According to RSPCA inspector Steph Daly, more and more Swindonians are fancying themselves as amateur zookeepers leaving the animal charity with a headache when they outgrow their cute status.

In February, the Evening Advertiser told how an 8ft boa constrictor snake had been abandoned on a number 55 Wootton Bassett bus.

The slippery passenger, who weighed in at around four stone, eventually found a new home in a Surrey reptile centre.

"Exotic pets are big business and we try to encourage people not to buy them unless they have specialist knowledge," said Steph.

"In this case we believe the snake belonged to a youngster who just couldn't look after it. These kinds of pets need a lot of looking after."

Steph reckons that many of the animals are bought over the internet, where controls are loose.

She said: "They're difficult to get hold of in shops, but anybody can get them over the net.

"People don't even bother to read up on their chosen animal before they place an order."

The inspector admits to having a chuckle when she receives a call to pick up the snakes.

"The police usually contact us to investigate," she said. "Even the biggest policemen won't go near them not even the non-venomous ones."

One of the most unusual cases she has dealt with happened last year when she was called to pick up a corn snake, which stopped off for a curry.

"When I got there we spotted this snake bathing in the sun round the back of the takeaway shop.

"It had obviously escaped from somewhere, but the owners never came forward so we found a new home for him."

Sadly, not all cases have a humorous element.

The latest figures available for Wiltshire and Dorset show that the RSPCA carried out 197 rescues in 2002, which resulted in 15 convictions.

"You never become immune to the suffering of the animals. The moment I do I will quit as an RSPCA inspector.

"My worst ever case was in Wigan, shortly after I became an inspector in 1997.

"It involved three dogs and they had resorted to eating each other through starvation.

"Sometimes when you see sights like that you need to have a de-brief with colleagues. When you arrive at an incident you go onto autopilot and get the job done. It's when you get home and think about it, that it hits you." Frustration is one of the main emotions felt by inspectors, says Steph. And normally it's when the charity fails to prevent a death.

Last month we reported on the sickening case in which a cat and dog had had to be put down, because their owners playgroup worker Marcia Burch and husband Jonathon failed to seek medical attention for the animals.

At Swindon Magistrates' Court the couple admitted allowing the weeping sores to go untreated, which later became so infected that vets had no choice but to put the pets down.

Steph said: "The dog had a tumour and these do not grow overnight."

Often people refuse to acknowledge that their pets are ill the result, says Steph, of the "ostrich effect".

"This is something I see all the time. At the first sign of trouble people bury their heads in the sand and hope the problem will go away. It won't and there's no excuse."

Fortunately however, such cases are rare, and the majority of cases have a happy ending.

Lucky, a 15-year-old jet-black Labrador-cross, is a classic example.

Previously, the dog had been living on a diet of cider.

When his owner was eventually persuaded to give Lucky up two months ago, he was covered in fleas and severely malnourished.

Lucky will now spend his remaining years with RSPCA fosterer Sula Clark, 24.

And according to the mum-of-one from Inglesham Road in Penhill, he's quickly making new friends with the rabbits she is also fostering.

She said: "He loves playing with them and they seem to get on really well."

Since Sula took on her voluntary role, her garden has been home to more than 30 rabbits.

Son Brandon, five, lends a hand too and wants to become an RSPCA inspector.

"He loves the animals to bits he thinks they're great."

Anyone who would like to adopt an animal can call the RSPCA on 01793 829360.

To report animal cruelty call 08705 555999.