You probably already know someone who has rescued a homeless dog or cat – but what about someone who adopts unwanted hermit crabs?

Sarah Porter has become the proud parent of over 30 pet hermit crabs that she has rescued from across New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Some of the tiny crustaceans were found abandoned on the beach while others were relinquished by reluctant pet owners – but over the course of the last few years, Porter has traveled great distances in order to give them all a loving home.

"I think in the big scheme of things, it may look kind of silly," Porter told USA Today. "They're just these little hermit crabs, but honestly it feels good to know that they're comfortable and happy as a crab can be, and I think all animals deserve that."

Porter says that people will often give the crabs as gifts without knowing the extent of their required care. Though they dwell on land, the crustaceans have gills that necessitate a humid environment, and many gift shop vendors will sell hermit crabs without the proper equipment to replicate their tropical habitat.

Since hermit crabs are native to the Caribbean, Porter is unable to reintroduce them to the wild. She has, however, turned a 55-gallon tank into a "crabitat" for her beloved clawed critters – and based on their daily treats of veggies and watermelon, it seems pretty safe to say that they are happy as clams.

"They deserve to be comfortable and well-fed and have the environment that nature designed for them," says Porter. "So even if this isn't a tropical beach it's as close as we can get them there."

(WATCH the video below) – Photos by Sarah Porter

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