PJ Venom

15/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Bakerton

Received a call about a possible snake sighting in a garage.
Upon arrival the team immediately started with the search.
Shortly thereafter, a beautiful Rinkhals was found.

No injuries present on assessment.
Rinkhals removed and relocated back into nature away from any residential areas.

Send a message to learn more

14/02/2024

📍Factory Call-Out
Boksburg

Received a call about a possible snake sighting at a large factory. Upon further investigation on the premises, a beautiful harmless juvenile Aurora was found. No injuries present upon assessment.

The snake was removed and relocated back into nature away from industrial and residential areas.

13/02/2024

📍Direct delivery from client
Bardene

A family contacted us about a baby swift that was found on the ground in their yard. Due to unfortunate circumstances, little one couldn't be place back into the nest.
The family managed to safely bring the baby swift to us directly and after a thorough assessment, no injuries were present however a good appetite was noted which we're pleased about.

The baby swift bird will be handed over for further care at
South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Family who brought the little one to us, gave the name Taylor Swift 😂🐦

11/02/2024

Our rescuer Petrus Pretorius during an owl rescue at a factory.

Special memories
🦉🐾💥

11/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Sunward Park

Received a call about a snake sighting at a house, upon arrival the search began to locate the snake in the area where it was last spotted.
As the search continued a beautiful Rinkhals was found inside a pipe in the garage.
The snake was removed and relocated to a safe area back into nature.

11/02/2024

📍Direct delivery from client
Boksburg

A family contacted us about a pigeon they saved from their family cat and brought it to us directly.
Unfortunately extensive injuries were present upon assessment so this poor little guy needed immediate treatment to ensure the best chance of survival because every life matters regardless of how small.

He is currently on the way to a facility in Sunward Park for further management and treatment.

10/02/2024

As our founder and rescuer, Petrus Pretorius, ended a busy shift a work and made his way home, he got a phone call from our community Chaplain about a poor dog that accidentally got injured by a hook.

The hook penetrated a part of the dog's mouth.

Petrus agreed to assist and proceeded to the family.
Upon arrival, Petrus immediately started working on the distressed dog along with 1 Life Rescue and sure enough managed to extract the hook successfully.

Teamwork ensured that this boy had a positive outcome.
Thank you Justin ( 1 Life Rescue ), Gerta ( EMS Chaplaincy & Trauma Support Page ) and Petrus (owner of PJ Venom)

10/02/2024

📍Road side Call-Out
Heidelberg,GP

While spending time with friends in Heidelberg, by coincidence we were notified about a family in need of assistance as they found a snake inside their vehicle. Guess we were at the right place at the right time.
The family spent the day hiking and was returing home when one of the passengers noticed a snake inside the vehicle just before they turned onto the N3 highway.
We immediately made our way to their location to assist as we always carry our equipment with us in our vehicles.

Upon arrival the family was visibility shaken up luckily for them no one was injured, because upon closer inspection it was confirmed to be a beautiful Puff Adder.

The snake was safely removed from the vehicle and placed in a container for safety. The vehicle was thoroughly inspected by our rescuer to ensure that the family would have no further stowaways.

After the all clear was given the family made their way back home and the Puff Adder was relocated far way from any residential areas back into nature unharmed.

What a call ! 💥🐍

10/02/2024

Extremely important educational article to read 💥🐍

We have a large presence on social media with well over 500 000 followers over our various pages. Our Facebook group Snakes of Southern Africa is one of the largest and best run wildlife pages in Africa, and members submit dozens of snake pictures daily, asking for assistance with identification.

10/02/2024

💥 Perimeter Sweep Investigations :

Prices :

•Industrial - Per Hour R500-00 which includes Call-out fee and should any reptile be found the rehabilitation if injured and relocation

Monthly retainer package for industrial clients also available depending on the size of the premises - Booking to be made for a free quotation upon evaluation of premises.

•Residential - Per Hour R300-00 which includes Call-out fee and should any reptile be found the rehabilitation if injured and relocation

10/02/2024

📍Factory Call-Out : Perimeter Sweep Investigation
Anderbolt

Received a call from a Safety Officer requesting us to book them for a Perimeter Sweep to be done at their factory.
Booking was scheduled accordingly and on the day booked, the sweep began at point A and we worked our way throughout the premises.

Upon entering a nearby warehouse we noticed it was filled with multiple pallets and some broken pallets on the grass outside.

Further into the investigation outside, a beautiful Rinkhals was spotted behind the stacked pallets on the grass. Immediately precautions were placed into action and the area was cleared from any operating employees.

The Rinkhals was caught and assessed for any possible injuries or signs of distress, fortunately a healthy Rinkhals placed in a container for safety.
The sweep continued and 2 more juvenile Rinkhals were caught.

Once property was cleared by us, operations resumed.

The 3 snakes were relocated to a safe location for them to enjoy their freedom in nature away from any industrial or residential areas.

08/02/2024

📍Client Call-Out
Kempton Park

Received a call from a client about a small snake spotted inside one of the houses within the Estate. Upon arrival a juvenile Rinkhals was removed from the premises.

What a beautiful little Danger Noodle🐍

The Rinkhals was released back into nature away from the Estate.

08/02/2024

Happy Memories 💥🦅

Another reason why we are proud of our founder and rescuer
Mr. Petrus Pretorius

An ambulance driver for ER24 helped the Owl Rescue Centre by collecting an injured owl in the South of Johannesburg, driving it to safety.

08/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Parkrand

Received a call from a fellow snake catcher about a possible snake inside a house. We agreed to assist as we were closer than our colleague at that moment in time.
Upon arrival at the property the homeowner was visibility shaken however after some reassurance and the fast assistance of our rescuer a lovely Rinkhals was captured.

After assessing for any injuries, the Rinkhals was safely removed and relocated back into nature away from the residential area.

08/02/2024

Happy Memories 🐍💥

PJ Venom founder, Mr. Petrus Pretorius doing what he does best

Saving lives of people and animals

08/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Ravenswood

Received a call from a homeowner after they noticed a large black snake in their yard. The family was advised to immediately lock their dogs in the house to avoid any injuries or fatal encounters for their beloved pets or the snake.
Upon arrival the large Rinkhals was spotted immediately and was a fiesty fellow during the capturing.

The Rinkhals was safely removed and relocated to a safe location away from any residential areas.

08/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Sunward Park

Received a call from a family about a snake in their yard after they saw their dogs barking at something on the ground. Upon arrival they lost sight of the snake but luckily after a thorough sweep was done of their property, a beautiful rinkhals was found by the family's lapa.

Rinkhals was assessed for any injuries and safely relocated away from the area back into nature.

07/02/2024

Factory Call-Out
📍Boksburg

Received a call from a local factory employee about a possible sighting of a dark snake outside one of their warehouses while moving pallets onto a logistics truck. Upon further investigation a beautiful Rinkhals was on the move towards tall grass on the premises next to the factory canteen. After intercepting it's movements, the rinkhals was caught and assessed to ensure that there were no injuries.

A health Rinkhals was removed and relocated away from the area back into nature.

07/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Alberton

Received a call from a home owner who spotted what seems to be a large snake. Upon further investigation on the property it was discovered that it wasn't a snake as initially reported to us but an extremely dehydrated and lethargic Rock Monitor Lizard.

After the Lizard was caught, treatment immediately began to start hydrating him.

After 2-days, a massive improvement was noticed in his movements and appeared to be more responsive to his surroundings.

The lizard was relocated and released back into nature after he completed his treatment.

07/02/2024

📍House Call-Out
Impala Park

Received a call from a home owner about a possible snake sighting in his yard. Upon further investigation on the premises, it was discovered that a 1.5m Rinkhals was hiding underneath the swimming pool's pump. After multiple attempts to gain access to the snake, permission was received from the owner of the property to start digging.

When the Rinkhals was finally rescued, it was noticed that she was pregnant and appeared to be uninjured.

She was safely relocated away from any residential areas.

06/02/2024

📍House Call-out
Boksburg North

We received a call about an injured owl that flew into a moving vehicle, luckily for this feathered friend, the people stopped and requested assistance instead of leaving him on the side of the road.

After the rescue, the owl was transported to a nearby facility for further management and investigation of his injuries.

Update on injuries :
Confirmed concussion
Confirmed broken leg

We wish this little guy a speedy recovery.

06/02/2024

Wishing Hermien a speedy recovery 🐍💥

Never underestimate the dangers of snakebite. Hermien Grobler, an experienced snake remover, was bitten by a 1,8 m Black Mamba while removing it from a car's engine.

She drove to the nearest hospital at high speed and got there in 17 minutes. Two minutes later she stopped breathing and had to be ventilated. A few hours later her kidneys were not functioning and she was placed on dialysis. 14 vials of polyvalent antivenom were administered soon after hospitalisation, yet she remained unresponsive for the next few days.

Hermien received excellent treatment, is now in a general ward and well on her way to a full recovery. She was fortunate in that she got to a trauma ward very soon after the bite and received the correct treatment.

While we mostly see good outcomes where Snakebite victims are hospitalised soon after a serious bite, things can easily go wrong as each snakebite is unique and symptoms may vary dramatically.

We wish Hermien a speedy recovery.

06/02/2024

📍Factory client Call-Out
Brakpan

Received a call from a client with a Rinkhals spotted inside one of their warehouses. Upon further investigation, the snake identification was confirmed and the snake was safely assessed and relocated away from the area.

Massive spike in snake sightings within industrial areas over the last couple of weeks.
Please insist that employees should be careful, if any sightings of snakes on your premises, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Alternatively, you can send us a email or whatsapp.
[email protected]
073 011 1434

06/02/2024

💥 ATTENTION Industrial areas💥

We have been busy with multiple call-out requests over the last couple of weeks, where employees working inside warehouses have been finding snakes hiding between pallets and other logistical items.

Please advise your employees not to attempt to injury, remove or kill the snake as this could result in severe consequences for your employee and for your company.

Rather give us a call to do a thorough perimeter sweep on your premises to ensure the safety of your employees.
Should any snake be found, it will be relocated by our rescuers.

Don't wait until it's too late, CALL NOW ! 💥

Alternatively, you can send us a email or whatsapp.
[email protected]
0730111434

06/02/2024

Welcome to PJ Venom,

Founder, Mr. Pretorius has over 20 years experience in Reptile and Wildlife rescue. Being a qualified paramedic, he came across many snakebites throughout his career and realized that many communities need assistance with snakebite education and wildlife. Mr. Pretorius started PJ Venom to assist in those matters and to give a voice to those who can't speak for themselves. With years of experience not only in snakebites, but in snake identification and reptile rescue.
Mr. Pretorius has assisted on many occasions with the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Relocation of countless helpless reptiles and animals.
PJ Venom also offer premises sweep investigation, where a proper search on the perimeters on the entire property is thoroughly done.

All this is done in Mr. Pretorius's free time when he isn't on shift as a paramedic.

Please note that call-out fees apply which includes Travel costs, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Relocation of the animal.

Should PJ Venom have limited availability on request, we will assist to get a fellow rescuer out to your location for assistance.

When requesting assistance we kindly ask :
1. Your location
2. Description
3. Keep distance from reptile while keeping visual on its movements.
4. DO NOT KILL IT AND DO NOT LET YOUR DOGS NEAR IT

Thank you,
PJ Venom Team