11/12/2024
We have been asked a dozen times if we provide category c license reference letters….
And I’m glad to report that now we do!
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST.
Thanks to Gareth and Mel for being the first participants.
What is this for?!
This is for reptile keepers wanting to get more experience and the subsequent DBCA REQUIRED reference letter by a Category C dealer/keeper for keeping venomous snakes on the advanced license.
This is a hands on training session spanning a few hours, and designed for me to observe your venomous snake handling skills.
We have a checklist of tasks and information that must be completed to a competent level, and only then will I be happy to provide a reference letter.
INCLUDED TRAINING—
Snake Bite First Aid
Legalities & License Conditions
Tools
Transportation
Handling
As mentioned, this is HANDS ON. This involves being required to physically restrain a venomous snake, as this is a necessary and integral part of keeping venomous snakes. This will be shown and taught in the safest and most practical way I know, minimising as much risk as possible.
So why us?
I have been keeping pet reptiles since 2010, relocating venomous snakes for 11 years, and keeping them as pets for almost 10 years.
I will never claim to be an expert - I am not.
I am, however, quite experienced.
This reference letter training is not something I will take lightly. There will be no letters without completing this, even if we are already mates.
Venomous snakes have an inherent risk, and I will not sign off on someone I think does not have the skills to keep them as pets safely.
There is a cost to this, and this has been discussed with a few different keepers to come up with a fee that is fair to me for my time (and reference letter) and training, and to make sure you - the keeper - are positive keeping venomous snakes is something you really want to do.
However, if either I or you feel you are not quite ready, and require further training, there will be no additional cost. It’s 1 fee until you are ready to apply.
Our cost will be $300 per person.
This includes hours of education and training as well as answering any other questions you may have. It does include going over husbandry requirements as well.
As I mentioned, if either of us feel you need to come back, you will NOT be required to pay again.
FINALLY — doing this training and having a reference letter, does NOT GUARANTEE DBCA will sign off on your license application. This is at their discretion, and this letter is only one part of their requirements of said application.
It is HIGHLY recommended you also do a venomous snake handling course, as that will go a long way to assist your application.
Again, we offer ZERO GUARANTEES that your license will be approved by dbca. We cannot do that.
If this course is something you would like to do, please pm the page email me at [email protected]