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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think releasing a pet is cruel?

273 replies

SnailTrailtoFreedom · 23/07/2022 09:16

We have a pet snail. He came to us on a lettuce leaf when he was so small his shell was translucent and he could fit on the nail of my little finger. He is now nearing the end of his life span. We are going on holiday in a couple of weeks and I haven't yet found someone to have him - our usual pet-sitters are themselves going away at the same time.

One member of the family (YABU) thinks we should release him into the nearby forest, or garden so he has a taste of freedom before he dies by being eaten by something

The other (YANBU) thinks this is cruel. He has been kept inside since he was a baby, his food and water falls from the sky and he sleeps outside of his shell. He wouldn't last a minute in the great outdoors. We could ask the neighbours, even if we don't know the parents all that well, the daughter plays out with and is in a class with my DC; or smuggle him into the hotel with us (travelling by car, not leaving the country). Or ask the hotel. He's in a box, he doesn't need to be taken out of it. But I don't know if snails like travelling?

OP posts:
Original poster
SnailTrailtoFreedom · 23/07/2022 09:35

@Mrsjayy he would fry if I put him outside. It's hot, I only have a small balcony and no shade.

OP posts:
Wombat100 · 23/07/2022 09:36

Just take the snail with you, surely it won’t take up much room….

DeanStockwelll · 23/07/2022 09:36

Don't set him to die free you are right he right he wouldn't live.

I would either take him with me and hide him just for the duration of when you think the room will be serviced.

Or now the weather has cooled down a lot put a large shallow tray ( seed tray baking sheet/tray) in his tank filled with water and as pp said a growing herb or weed.

Photo please !

TheLadyofShalott1 · 23/07/2022 09:37

Welshrarebitontoast · 23/07/2022 09:22

Is this a joke?

You already know it’s cruel to release anything into the wild that’s been living in captivity.

Either find an animal sanctuary or kill it (which will happen anyway).

If this actually is supposed to be a joke perhaps you could volunteer in an animal sanctuary to see just how hilarious it is to deal with that people are dumping because they got bored, can’t be arsed, novelty has worn off and then you’ll see just how unfunny you are.

How can you be so nasty to the OP, she has done a lovely and kind thing by nurturing her snail.

You are the cruel one at @Welshrarebitontoast by suggesting she kill the poor little thing - how would you suggest she does that, I can't think of any humane way, unless she takes it to the vets.
As for animal sanctuaries, I doubt there are many that would accept a UK sized garden snail, too many people think that little creatures don't have feelings!

For other pps who are suggesting she leaves it alone with enough food and water, even if the logistics were doable, the poor thing would miss it's humans, it has been used to having company since it was a baby!

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/07/2022 09:38

Take him with you.

Welshrarebitontoast · 23/07/2022 09:38

SmallPrawnEnergy · 23/07/2022 09:28

Are you alright?

How do you go from, it’s cruel to release an animal into the wild, volunteer at a sanctuary to “kill it”

It sounds like you’re more on the wind up than Op.

Show quote history

I’m perfectly well thank you.

The OP states “give it a taste of freedom before it dies”, so a lingering death is a better option?

ReneBumsWombats · 23/07/2022 09:39

I don't see why you can't take him with you. If he tried to trash the hotel room, you'd be back before he'd even moved three inches towards the minibar.

JimJonesLivesInMyHead · 23/07/2022 09:39

OMG he is sooo cute 😍and I don't even like snails!

OwlinaTree · 23/07/2022 09:39

What is the snail's name? Is it Shelly?

Welshrarebitontoast · 23/07/2022 09:40

TheLadyofShalott1 · 23/07/2022 09:37

How can you be so nasty to the OP, she has done a lovely and kind thing by nurturing her snail.

You are the cruel one at @Welshrarebitontoast by suggesting she kill the poor little thing - how would you suggest she does that, I can't think of any humane way, unless she takes it to the vets.
As for animal sanctuaries, I doubt there are many that would accept a UK sized garden snail, too many people think that little creatures don't have feelings!

For other pps who are suggesting she leaves it alone with enough food and water, even if the logistics were doable, the poor thing would miss it's humans, it has been used to having company since it was a baby!

Show quote history

Yes I’m the nasty one.

love how batshit crazy MN is.

RudsyFarmer · 23/07/2022 09:40

I’m not sure how heart warming this really is. You’ve robbed the snail from living a natural life out in nature and now have no clue what to do while you go on holiday for two weeks. Im
not a fan of any animal being kept in captivity. In your situation I’d put a Facebook plea out and hope someone animal crazy responds and is willing to care for it.

Catsdrool · 23/07/2022 09:41

I can’t tell if people are taking the piss here or not…it’s a snail…a normal snail out of the garden

Clymene · 23/07/2022 09:41

Just put it outside and get another one when you get back. I've got loads in my garden you can have

vodkaredbullgirl · 23/07/2022 09:41

What do you call a homeless snail?

A slug.

eekyeeky · 23/07/2022 09:42

Either find an animal sanctuary or kill it (which will happen anyway).

do they take snails?

YesItIsI · 23/07/2022 09:42

Put him on the bonnet of a car at the start of a quarter mile drag race. An exciting quick death or super powers await!

SamMil · 23/07/2022 09:44

Just get a pet sitter to pop in every few days to give him fresh food/water & moisten the tank, or take him with you.

eekyeeky · 23/07/2022 09:45

the poor thing would miss it's humans, it has been used to having company since it was a baby!

I didn't know snails could bond!

Mrsjayy · 23/07/2022 09:47

SnailTrailtoFreedom · 23/07/2022 09:35

@Mrsjayy he would fry if I put him outside. It's hot, I only have a small balcony and no shade.

I mean you could make shade for it

Soubriquet · 23/07/2022 09:47

Honestly, if it’s a UK holiday just take it with you.

The snail won’t care about travelling.

Abroad holiday would be a bit more difficult, possibly impossible, so you would need to find someone to temporarily take care of it

Mydpisgrumpierthanyours · 23/07/2022 09:48

Why not take him/her with you then take photos of them by landmarks etc rather than leaving him in your room?

3amAndImStillAwake · 23/07/2022 09:49

Catsdrool · 23/07/2022 09:41

I can’t tell if people are taking the piss here or not…it’s a snail…a normal snail out of the garden

Oh good, it's not just me.

AhaLyn · 23/07/2022 09:50

Why did you take a garden snail in? Not being horrible just curious. The only time I’ve done this is when I cracked a shell and kept it in whilst it grew back and released it. I was 9 at the time though.

TheLadyofShalott1 · 23/07/2022 09:50

RudsyFarmer · 23/07/2022 09:40

I’m not sure how heart warming this really is. You’ve robbed the snail from living a natural life out in nature and now have no clue what to do while you go on holiday for two weeks. Im
not a fan of any animal being kept in captivity. In your situation I’d put a Facebook plea out and hope someone animal crazy responds and is willing to care for it.

His natural lifespan would have probably been about 5 minutes as he obviously isn't at all shy @RudsyFarmer However, I do think that your Facebook idea is a good one - @SnailTrailtoFreedom you could just make your post seeable by people who you know won't judge you as being mad. If I knew you, and lived near you, I would take him in a heartbeat!

eekyeeky · 23/07/2022 09:51

Why not take him/her with you then take photos of them by landmarks etc rather than leaving him in your room?

You could make a scrap book together! #makingmemories