'Love the unloved': Reptiles, snakes need rescuing too, says Cape Breton resident

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaCape BretonEntertainment & Life 'Love the unloved': Reptiles, snakes need rescuing too, says Cape Breton resident 'Snakes are just tails with faces' Author of the article: By Rosemary Godin Published Aug 25, 2026 7 minute read Boa constrictors such as Aries do not bite and are generally considered to be non-aggressive. Jay Hardy is Aries' caretaker and runs Jay's Crazy Critters, a Port Caledonia-based reptile sanctuary. Hardy says people don't realize there is a need for such things, but many reptiles and snakes are surrendered or abandoned every year. Hardy takes the animals around to local events as well as birthday parties for all ages. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED Article content It’s not your typical cute and cuddly animal rescue — although some may have that exact opinion.  Article content Article content A young lifelong animal lover took up an unusual crusade three years ago: they rescue snakes and reptiles. Add in a couple of rats, some ducks, frogs, a tarantula and exotic reptiles — as well as their own couple of cats and dogs — and you have the makings of Jay’s Crazy Critters.  Article content Article content “I’ve always rescued animals,” said Jay Hardy of Port Caledonia, between Glace Bay and Donkin. “If an animal needed a home, it was coming to my house.”  Article content They tell the childhood story of hiding a stray cat in their bedroom closet for a few days before it was discovered.  Article content “I was feeding the stray cats when I was younger and one day I stuck one of them in my bedroom without telling my mother,” Hardy said. “She was pretty upset because it was a stray cat and God knows what it could have had.”  Article content Hardy resides on the Donkin Highway in Port Caledonia, where they live with a dog, a few cats, some ducks and a couple of dozen reptiles. Over the past three years, they have also rescued guinea pigs, rabbits, domesticated rats, a tarantula and even frogs.  Article content “Love the unlovable,” Hardy said.  Article content And that’s just what they do. While some people won’t come near a lizard or snake for example, Hardy has no problem walking around with them wrapped around their neck.  Article content Jay’s Crazy Critters is a safe place for Moonmist, a lavender albino ball python — one of the 50 animals and reptiles living in a Donkin rescue sanctuary. Jay Hardy…