Snake nearby? Stay calm and follow these steps
Separate the animal without approaching the snake
Dogs may bark, circle or lunge, while cats and poultry can move toward a snake unpredictably. Call the pet away if possible, use a secure door or gate and do not send it back to locate the animal.
If contact or a bite may have occurred, contact a veterinarian urgently. Symptoms can be delayed, so do not wait for obvious illness before seeking veterinary advice.
Pet-related places The team can assess
Call-outs may involve kennels, chicken coops, aviaries, cat enclosures, stables, feed rooms, paddocks, gardens and yards where pets normally roam.
Feed, water, shelter and rodents can attract prey animals and create conditions snakes may investigate. Keep feed sealed and rodent activity controlled, but never search for a snake by moving materials yourself.
Dogs in yards
Open lawns, garden edges, kennels and fence lines where a dog has noticed movement.
Cats and enclosures
Courtyards, cat runs, aviaries and sheltered spaces close to vegetation.
Poultry areas
Coops, feed storage, nesting materials and places where rodents may also be present.
Horses and livestock
Stables, feed rooms, paddock edges, sheds and water points on larger properties.
If a dog, cat or other animal finds a snake
Your safety matters too. Do not reach between the animals or attempt to grab the snake.
- Call the pet away or use a barrier only when this can be done safely.
- Secure animals indoors, in a vehicle or behind a closed gate.
- Keep people away and maintain a safe visual reference.
- Contact a veterinarian urgently if a bite or contact is possible.
- Call Snakes in the City and explain the animals, location and last sighting.
Prevention without false guarantees
Supervise pets outdoors during warmer periods, keep grass and access paths visible, store animal feed securely and address rodent activity. Check low shelters before placing hands inside.
No yard can be guaranteed snake-proof. Professional advice is appropriate whenever an animal cannot be safely separated from the sighting area.
Professional reptile capture and relocation
NSW catch-and-release work requires the appropriate wildlife licence. Harley operates under NSW General Licence MWL000102655, uses specialist handling equipment and focuses on safe, lawful and humane relocation.
A call-out cannot guarantee capture if the animal has already left or cannot be located. The attending catcher will give straightforward advice based on the site and last known position.
Professional, licensed and realistic
Harley operates under NSW General Licence MWL000102655 and uses appropriate equipment for safe capture, containment and humane relocation. If a snake has already left or cannot be located, capture cannot be guaranteed; The attending catcher will provide practical advice based on the site and last known position.
