By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-03 07:14:06 | Updated at 2026-09-03 07:56:53
1 hour ago
A snake has been found in the bread aisle of a supermarket, as an animal educational organisation has issued a warning about a surge in animal abandonment.
Pet Encounter in Workington, Cumbria, said that they found a baby corn snake in a Heron Foods store in Maryport last month before it was taken to a veterinary practice for a check-up.
While it is not clear if the snake, which has been nicknamed Crumbs, had been abandoned or escaped, Pet Encounter believes that the cost of living crisis has contributed to a rise in pet snakes being handed over to them.
The group has rescued 21 snakes so far this year, up from a total of 14 in 2025.
Ben Nicholson, from the organisation, said: “There's the equipment, heat mats, heat bulbs; they all have a cost and we're in a cost of living crisis.
“People are looking to cut down on their energy use, and these animals can be a significant factor.”
He added that Pet Encounter never intended to become an animal rescue, but they will likely need to adapt their business model to allow for the increasing number of abandoned or surrendered pets.
He told the BBC: “We started Pet Encounter for education purposes, but we're now looking at changing our business model and going down the route of being a charity so we can get some help with funding.
Crumbs, as he has now been nicknamed, was found in the bread aisle of a Heron Foods last month
FACEBOOK/PET ENCOUNTER
“We can't say no to these animals.”
Mr Nicholson said that a lack of education around exotic animals and trends has also contributed to more abandonments.
He continued: “We find a lot of them coming through crazes.
“With Harry Potter season about to launch again, we're expecting an influx of owls, so we're preparing aviaries for that.”
A milksnake is among the variety of snakes rescued by Pet Encounter this year
FACEBOOK/PET ENCOUNTER
He added: “People will buy a pet snake and not realise the care and attention that they need.”
Pet Encounter rescued a kingsnake from a house in Workington in July, after the new homeowner discovered it in their boiler cupboard.
They also collected a milksnake that was found on the pavement.
Last month another animal rescue, Little Beasties based in Ulverston, warned of a lack of education around ownership of snakes after a royal python was rescued in woodland near Slack Head.
It came just a fortnight after staff found a corn snake in a drain at the Barrow Raiders rugby ground.
Mandy Christopher, who owns Little Beasties, said sometimes "people are not given the right information whether a snake is right for them.
"If somebody comes to us looking to get a snake, they need to have come in a few times, filled out a care sheet, and have had to spend quite a bit of time thinking about it.
"Unfortunately, not everywhere is like that so you can walk in and walk out with the snake in the same day."
