29/09/2026
Too Many Directories...
Not Enough Direction
Sorry folks, this is a long but but I have bit to say.
"snake catcher directories" are popping up online....
It's seems every so often someone takes on the task of creating one, perhaps attempting a "better" version than what's currently around, or maybe they simply aren't aware of the several that already exist?
I won't be listing them here, as I'm not interested in endorsing any of them.
Directory apps and websites have come and gone over the years.
They can be hard to maintain long term, and some past and even current ones have potential regulatory and legal issues their developers don't seem to have realised yet.
That's one of the main reasons directories have failed in the past.
People start out with the idea, and in some cases only to run into the legal, ethical and regulatory side of things further down the track.
It's also hard work to regularly check that every catcher listed is still current and valid.
Some directories have also added catchers using publicly listed details without asking for their consent.
That isn't illegal, but it isn't great practice either.
Some even state in their own fine print that their listings are unverified, and that being listed doesn't guarantee a catcher is licensed or will answer.
Others have actively avoided reaching out to certain catchers, or have even refused to list them.
I've been on the receiving end of BOTH. My details have been listed without my consent (this year in taking time off for personal reasons so I definitely don't want my details shared).
I've also been "avoided" by others. Which only does a disservices to those needing help.
Several of these directories have added a triple zero "push to call" button, and this is where things can get legally messy, depending on how the button works.
A button that connects directly to triple zero is not legal....
A button that opens your phone's dialler with the number ready to go is legal, but it still creates a huge liability if it fails....
And for person seeking assistance, if their phone has poor reception or no data, it's useless anyway.
Honestly, there's no need for the button at all, and in a real situation where someone may have been bitten we don't want them scrolling through or waiting for a website or appto load.....
We want them doing what we've all been taught: pick up the phone and dial 000 (or 112) straight away.
Alongside the directories, we're also seeing more and more snake ID pages, particularly on social media.
The only one I recommend and refer people to is the Australian Snake Identification, Education + Advocacy Group (ASIEA) because It's run by knowledgeable people, and they run a tight ship!
Very professional and consistent.
With the oversaturation of snake catchers online on top of these directories and ID pages, I feel like we're losing focus on what's actually important: the welfare of the snakes, and the person on the other end of the phone who needs help.
In my personal opinion, too many options isn't always a good thing, especially when the apps and web directors arent seemingly working together.
Over the years we've gone from struggling to find catchers, to suddenly being overwhelmed by them with all these sites, pages, apps and directories presented as a "must haves" for everyone.
Many of them are competing with each other, and some can be very territorial.
The lines are blurring too. Some "directories" are really just one business with a directory-style front end, which makes it harder to tell who you're actually dealing with.
Having it set up this means is a beifit to the business running the app or directory because the web traffic goes through them...
There's also a conflict of interest when a directory is run by a snake catcher and marketed under their own business branding.
Even with the best intentions, it raises fair questions.
Who decides which catchers get listed? Is the owner's own business given priority? And are competing catchers being left off?
A directory only works if people can trust it's neutral, and that's hard to do when the person running it is also competing for the same calls, or listing their own business in first search results or the "top of the list" in multiple regions.
Then there's the word "licensed." If a directory says it lists licensed catchers, it should be checking those licences, which means collecting and storing people's details.
That comes with responsibilities, like a proper privacy policy and clear disclaimers, and some of these directories have neither.
On the other hand, directories that admit they can't verify their listings are being more honest, but that just shifts the job back onto the person who needs help... So either way the person with a snake in their house is left doing the checking.
A national directory works best when it's one central portal.
But now that there are several floating around, each one will have some catchers who overlap and some who are missing entirely.
If the whole idea is to help someone find their nearest catcher.
Which directory do they check first?
Do you keep all three on your phone?
You might get lucky with the first one, but what if you don't? You move on to the next.....maybe another one after that.
Sure, you could cross-reference them all before you ever have a snake encounter. That's probably one sensible and streamlined approach to finding numbers, But for someone dealing with an urgent and unexpected snake situation, searching through several directories and waiting for pages to load could just add more stress.
And if these directories start competing to be the top Google result, you may as well just search "snake catcher near me" and go straight to the source.
Again, I think the idea itself is a good one. But when several people have the same idea, the water gets muddied.
In the end, it's the person who needs a snake catcher who wastes time jumping between third party sites and apps.
Not everyone is online
Let's not forget the people who rarely use the internet, or only go online with a computer or tablet.
Some, particularly the elderly, may not even use a mobile phone.
That leaves them with limited options for finding a catcher.
On top of that, people who are vision impaired may struggle to navigate these apps and directories at all.
Keep it simple
I say this at the start of every year, and I'll keep saying it. Simply take some time now to gather the numbers of snake catchers in your area yourself, and save them in your phone before you need them.
• Search online
• Contact your local council
• Contact local wildlife groups
• Don't be afraid to ask a catcher for any other local numbers they'd recommend
By all means, take a look at the directories, just don't assume the catchers listed are your only local options, because some could be missing.
Also keep in mind that catchers may not know they've been listed.
I was unaware my details were listed on a new directory. I've requested my in for be removed.
If I search Bendigo, you'll see listings for a company that doesn't even live or catch in Bendigo anymore, and there is a listing for others who are 100km to 159km away....
Reach out first to check they're still operating and available.
