CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y.- Marion Janusez handles reptiles with a tenderness often reserved for a newborn child, but that’s because the animals are her babies.
“I don’t know,” Janusez said with a laugh, “They’re just perfect, as far as I’m concerned!”
Enter her home and no matter where you direct your gaze you’ll see evidence of the scaley objects of her affection– whether they’re alive or not, real or fake.
“I just love how independent they are,” said Janusez. “They fascinate me, the moment they’re born they’re on their own, and I’m a very independent person myself, and I think I admire that.”
Janusez is the driving force behind R.A.R.E. (Reptile Adoption, Rehabilitation, and Education), a unique animal shelter that’s dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured or unwanted reptiles; it’s so unique, she says she gets calls and email from people all around the world.
Her Cheektowaga home doubles as homebase for the non-profit, and shelters dozens of reptiles, with yearly bills that add up to more than $12,000.
“We don’t charge for surrenders because I don’t want people just throwing them outside or letting them die in the cellar,” said Janusez. “But we just ask for a donation. If you don’t have it, we’ll take the animal anyway.”
The unwanted pets often come from children– and their parents– in over their heads with a new pet. She says she got four drop-offs this week alone from college students leaving for school.
Janusez takes as many as she can with an ultimate goal of finding them new homes; however, she is picky about who can adopt.
“I want somebody that’s really going to care for this animal,” said Janusez.
For more information on R.A.R.E. click here.