Name : Sarah Mailey
Company name : I'll Catch It Snake Catchers
Job title : Owner operator - Reptile relocations
If we had to step into your (she wear) shoes (pun intended), what could we expect a day in your life to feel like? :
You would be adrenaline fuelled chasing after the second most venomous snake in the world as well as pythons & goannas bigger than yourself. You might find yourself up a tree, in a drain, on a roof, in a scissor lift or even at the top of a crane catching a snake.
What do you enjoy about your role? What is the favourite part of your job? :
Being able to educate people about reptiles, and watching my customers go from being petrified of snakes to, over time, admiring them and coexisting with them.
How did you get into your role? What did you study or how did you learn your skills? :
I had to do a venomous snake handling course. I spent many hours cleaning venomous snake enclosures and being taught proper handling techniques by people who already had the experience and held the permits I needed to apply for in order to catch and release reptiles on my own. I went to South Australia to learn how to catch and release reptiles. Given they only have the spicy snakes (venomous), I thought that would be the best way to learn. I've also done some volunteering at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Have you won any awards, earned any special recognition or been involved in something “out of the box”? :
I have been on The Project and on the news many times over the years for some pretty outrageous catches. My most recent was a big Lace monitor (goanna) stuck at the top of an electrical pole. We shut down the electricity to the surround streets, and I went up in a scissor lift to do the rescue. I am a wildlife carer for Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers. I do rescue, transport and rehabilitation. I recently received an award from them for “rescuing wildlife from objects not even designed to be entered”..... Does that count??
What advice would you give to other women? :
In this industry, you can always learn more, so don't be afraid to reach out to others in the industry. Try different techniques and work out what works best for you. Do what you feel is safe as a snake catcher. Make sure to get yourself a pair (or 4) of she wear boots. You won't actually want to take them off.
Do you have a favourite saying or quote, or mantra that you live by? :
Not really a saying but I do speak to every snake out loud like it's my best mate.
Tell us a funny story about your role or an amusing experience you’ve had :
A few years ago, I was called out to a sea snake that had washed ashore. When I arrived, she was actually in labour. She gave birth on land, which hasn't been documented before, as far as we know .
Have you ever encountered any negative experiences that, although difficult at the time, may have helped shape who you are today? :
Definitely, with reptiles, they are very misunderstood, so we encounter negative experiences quite often. Over the years, this has helped me to de-escalate situations and use education as my key tool.
How do you feel about your she wear boots? Any comments you’d like to make.
I roughly spend 16 hours a day in boots, so I have gone through my fair share of boots. Most brands I have found are heavy on the foot and do not feel flexible when I'm bending my feet. I usually go through 2-3 pairs of boots a year - that was before I found she wear. I now don't feel like I'm carrying around brick blocks on my feet, and I can move freely without feeling the tight feeling I always got when I bent my feet. I also like the fact that I can just give them a quick wipe down to get any dirt off, with no boot polish.
Follow your dreams, don't let anyone or anything hold you back. In 2018, this was all a dream for me. I still pinch myself now that I am where I am today.
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Want to see what a day in Sarah's boots actually looks like? Follower her story through Instagram & Facebook.
Sarah tackles every rescue in our pink Achieves Women's Safety Boot.
