Snakes make animal lover feel a lot safer

[caption id="attachment_142379" align="aligncenter" width="500"] STRANGE BEDFELLOW: Jeru von Claassen with one of the snakes she is living with. Picture: RIAAN MARAIS[/caption]

ANIMALS in Wonderland owner Jeru von Claassen has described her first week of living with an assortment of pythons and boas as oddly comforting.

“There have been quite a few break-ins in our area in recent weeks, but having some snakes in my bed made me feel a lot safer,” she said yesterday.

Von Claassen, 36, is sharing an enclosed space for two weeks with the snakes to raise funds to buy the land the sanctuary and educational centre in Greenbushes operates from.

“I doubt someone will try to hurt me while I have a 4m-long reticulated python next to me,” Von Claassen said with a smile.

She, her husband Juan, 37, and their two daughters, Cassandra, 17, and Jade, 14, started Animals in Wonderland in 2009.

Von Claassen entered the room at the animal centre a week ago and plans to spend another week there in an effort to raise funds.

“Donations have been coming in slowly, with a couple of American donors and some South Africans pitching in,” she said.

“So far we have raised about R10 000, but we hope to make quite a bit more.”

The owners of the farm are planning to sell the land, and Von Claassen hopes her family can buy it themselves.

Besides looking after a number of snakes, they also care for predatory birds, reptiles and mammals, all rescued from dire circumstances.

Her fundraising effort includes uploading daily educational videos about the animals at their centre, and inviting anyone to spend some time in the “Snake Room” with her.

“At night I hear them slithering around,” she said. Von Claassen said Lizzy, the 1.5m ball python, loved sleeping under her pillow every night, and Juliet, the 4m reticulated python, had snuggled up to her most nights over the past week.

However, she described the experience as a spiritual journey, spending a lot of time praying and working on a book she planned to publish.

Anyone interested in donating can visit Animals in Wonderland’s website or Facebook page for more information.