Took a tour of this wonderful heartfelt sanctuary. Our hearts were touched by the love given to each and every animal on the grounds. Please donate to this wonderful place to help keep the animals with food, shelter and medicine. It is an enormous undertaking to take Care of all these creatures and this couple has accomplished so much on a small budget. These animals need our help.
Review from Guidestar
SC CARES founders Cindy and Skip changed my life while changing the lives of countless animals.
Previous Stories
When I first met Cindy and Skip I realized they were special human beings; humble and hopeful. They sold their homes, property, and forfeited their once normal and comfortable lives. They traded their lives for the sake of their beliefs. Not many of us are willing to do that. Not many humans believe so strongly in their principles to take such a large risk to move to a rural property and begin to set up a rescue, rehabilitation, and most importantly a sanctuary for so many living beings. I had the opportunity to volunteer frequently with Cindy and Skip (SC CARES founders) for a full year before moving out of SC. In that year I observed the compassion they showed for each animal whether with a shell, feathers, or fur. No animal was small enough to be discounted by Cindy. Many days when I showed up, Cindy was busy bottle feeding possums, an animal that most people find to be scary and a nuisance. She would stroke the tortoises shelsl making them dance under her hands. She would speak softly and calmly, whispering sweet nothings into Dennis the deer's ear. Despite her hectic and busy schedule taking care of the hundreds of animals daily, Cindy spends time each day showing every animal affection and love. One thing that is always poignant in my mind is that each animal that passes has a funeral, a burial, and a little plot in the front yard that unfortunately grows every year. Every animal matters and every animal deserves respect. Cindy and Skip have given so many deserving animals a second chance and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe, loving, and comfortable environment. I frequently think of the impact that SC CARES has on the animals who were irresponsibly purchased and/or attained. Cindy is constantly turning away animals in need not because she does not care, but because resources (food, space, shelter, and money) are scarce. This world needs more people like Cindy and Skip. Their wholesome compassion for life and the living is a testament to the type of people they are and the organization that they run.
This is a wonderful sanctuary ran by loving and compassionate people and volunteers. They have about 160 animals from all walks of life. They work day in and day out to give these creatures a loving home and finals residence! Visit or help if you can!!
Previous Stories
SC-CARES is a wonderful organization who does selfless work from the heart. These people are truly special and the animals there are loved and cared for in a way you can only see by visiting. They survive solely on volunteer help and donations made by the community and are doing all they can to help every animal that crosses their path. I highly recommend your support in this place.
There is so much love at this place.
I have visited SC-CARES several times with my grandchildren over the years. It is very well run and there is a large selection of types of animals to look at and to hear. The bird house was very noisy, but the birds were beautiful. We visited a very fat pig, some horses and a bunch of tortoises. We loved it and hope the two very kind people who run it will be able to continue to do their good work.
Barbara Kolff
SC-Cares Animal Rescue is such a wonderful, and mostly natural living place for a large variety of God's creatures. These animals needed the very special safe place to survive and were taken in with loving open arms. The folks at SC-Cares are definitely angels who give their heart, sole and countless time to care for each and every animal and hours on end trying to raise funds to support the rescue. Please help support their wonderful organization for the sake of the animals who couldn't help themselves and would have likely perished without them.
SC Cares epitomizes compassion and caring. There is so much love that goes into the wonderful sanctuary they have created for these very special creatures. Cindy and Skip work really hard to ensure the animals have a clean and healthy environment. It is a very rewarding place yo volunteer, as the animals here have a way of thanking you for just being there. They know they are in a loving place.
We need more places like SC Cares, as they also work hard to educate people on animal abuse, the care required for exotics and the commitments and responsibilities required when owning an animal. The welcome people to visit with an appointment. I encourage people to support this nonprofit.
Coastal Animal Rescue and Educational Sanctuary goes as far as humanly possible to care for a wide range of wild animals, promotes proper education to all ages, and helps the community when a wild animal needs medical care and placement. While this all sounds routine it is far from that! This husband and wife team has dedicated their life to these animals. Even while the husband was newly diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment they both continued to put the animals and public first. So much compassion just exudes from both of them and they need the financial assistance to keep the Sanctuary properly up and running. The public needs to keep this Sanctuary going. Factual and compassion is needed to be taught by the Sanctuary to the general public. Please consider any amount of dollar assistance to this most WONDERFUL facility. This place is a little gem of humanity, love, devotion, caring, compassion. Thank you for your consideration, Joan House
SC-Cares is a much needed and often overlooked sanctuary in Georgetown County, SC. Cindy and staff treat each resident with more love and compassion than some people treat their elderly parents! As a part-time volunteer, I see the need for a donation that would be considered "pennies from heaven". It would enable the facility to complete the unfinished aviary giving a larger home for more than 75 large unwanted birds.
Winning $20,000 would make a huge difference!!
I knew the couple who started this great Wildlife Sanctuary before they did it. I remember the hope they had for what they wanted to do. They sold everything they owned so they could set up a place to put exotic unwanted/neglected/orphaned/abused and any other reason an animal needed, and give sanctuary to them. It truly is an animal sanctuary in every sense of the word, and they give each and every one of their rescues time and attention, medical care and love. I toured their facility a few years ago and was astounded at how much they have accomplished even under great difficulties and setbacks. They are always hoping to expand to help even more animals in need but need the funds to do it. If anyone deserves a reward for all they do, SC-CARES does.
I was introduced to the founders of SC-CARES through my father, who performed pro-bono legal work for them when they moved to Georgetown, SC and opened up the sanctuary. Since that time I have experienced the pleasure of witnessing their unyielding commitment to not only those animals in their direct care, but to animals outside of the sanctuary. Skip and Cindy understand these precious and spiritual beings need love, comfort and stability, since most of them come from chaotic circumstances of which they had no choice. Cindy and Skip take measures to avoid placing undue stress on the animals and have made a lifelong commitment to providing a final home for these majestic beings.
SC - C.A.R.E.S. is a true donation-run animal sanctuary. With more than 150 animals of all kinds, there's never a dull moment. The aviary is a special treat, full of flight activity and colorful voices.
Caretakers Cindy and Skip offer heartwarming stories of how their residents have overcome mistreatment and neglect to recover and live out their lives in peace.
I became interested in SC CARES when I moved here 5 years ago. The owner would write such wonderful articles in The Sun paper and I decided I wanted to see this place for myself. I had never seen many of her animals anywhere else except the zoo. The amount of work that goes into caring for these animals on a day to day basis is staggering. It's hard work and few volunteers are willing to do what it takes. It would be great if they could hire someone to help on a full time basis. Please provide them with as much financial support as possible.
I have visited and helped one time. I wish I could go everyday and give them a million dollars. They give all they got everyday and it is exhausting but they keep on plugging along. Even with Skips cancer and brutal chemo treatments they kept this place going.
Have a dear friend who volunteers on a regular basis and I hear wonderful stories about their good works and unending love and devotion for these rescued animals. True love! Her husband also builds tortoise homes for the rescued tortoises. Attend their annual Dinner and raffle! Good fun and benefits SC Cares!
Everyone truly cares about the animals here and work well as a team to provide the best care possible.
The love & compassion that is given to all these animals is tremendous. Cindy, Skip & all the others do a wonderful job ensuring that these precious critters have a safe & healthy place to call home.
Up until late February of this year, I had been a hands on, get down and dirty (and bitten...hehehe), volunteer for SC CARES for over 3 years. Unfortunately health issues have gotten in my way and I am no longer able to work intimately with the wonderful creatures who live there. I hate waking up on Saturday mornings now knowing I cannot go interact with my creature friends which was my stress relief after a long week at work. I now donate monthly, I am trying to do fund raising activities, and anything else I am able to do for them (like "Walk for a Dog" every day when I walk my pups and they then donate to SC CARES). SC CARES is awesome! They do wonderful things for every creature until they close their eyes for the final time. Please help them however you can! Go to their webpage and donate! Thank you!
Skip and Cindy are amazing people and have dedicated so much time and effort into caring for these animals. It is beyond a full time job for them and I am envious of their dedication. I recently went on a service trip to volunteer at the sanctuary and it was one of the best experiences of my life! They somehow manage to run the sanctuary and an ice cream shop in town, where Skip hand makes all the flavors (and its amazing ice cream too!). They are so passionate about this cause and deserve a lot more recognition.
Over the summer, I, along with about 36 other individuals had a tour at SC-Cares. Cindy, Skip and all the volunteers were most knowledgeable, experienced and wonderful tour guides. they showed how much they all c
ared about each animal at the center and have a vested interest in their well being. I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful things that are happening there and wish more people knew about this center and provided them with the needed support and means to provide for all the animals. Kudos to all they do and here's to many more years of caring and compassion for those creatures that cannot speak for themselves. I'm sure Pickles, the one bird there, would express it's gratitude and say "Thank you for caring for, rescuing, and loving me!"
Cindy and Skip work so hard all day long, every day, 365 days a year, feeding and caring for the animals for which they provide shelter. They care for horses, pigs, deer, tortoises, goats, chickens....and even more! They provide a safe place for abused and neglected farm animals (for the most part they are farm animals). I have volunteered in the past helping to feed and clean up after the animals. Currently I pick up meat and produce donations for the animals from our local grocery stores, and deliver those donations to the Sanctuary.
I must say, it is not easy caring for the animals. One is usually tromping through mud and poop to care for them! Also, the water bowls are emptied and scrubbed every day and then filled up with fresh water. Cindy and Skip could very much use this grant money to help build the aviary that they are currently working on, and even to hire some part-time help! They need the help!!
A more passionate group of people you will not find anywhere. They have a heart for the animals and go above and beyond for them. Take some tome and go visit. You will be glad you did. There are so many ways to support this group. I use the app Walk for a Dog nearly every day, every little bit helps.
This organization does all it can for many animals that have no where else to turn! Cindy and Skip along with their volunteers take excellent care of these animals! I learned of this organization last year and do not live close enough to do more than donate. But from following them try Facebook I have understood their passion and commitment to those who cannot help themselves!
My family has supported SC cares since it's inception with donations of car, money, visiting the sanctuary. We know how hard the owners and volunteers work by watching them in action. They truly love the animals as do the volunteers. It is good to see a non profit actually spend the monetary donations on the animals and not using for themselves.
I have supported SC Cares since a visit with my grandchildren 5 years ago. They are wonderful in every way. I feel comfortable that every dollar goes for the animals.
SC Cares is one of the most amazing places I have ever had the honor to visit. Cindy and Skip give so much of their lives to caring for these animals that otherwise would have no place to go. It is such an heart warming experience to get to volunteer and spend time with these wonderful creatures.
I had the pleasure of going down to SC CARES with a group of fellow students from Appalachian State University during our fall break this weekend. I was absolutely blown away by the passion that Cindy and Skip have for each and every one of the animals that they have at their sanctuary. It was so amazing to be able to work with people who care so much about what they are doing. They definitely put the animals first, which was extremely important to me. The property is very well maintained and makes for a beautiful and tranquil environment for every animal that they have. I cannot wait to come back to SC CARES one day!
I first heard of SC Cares when my husband and I were visiting my brother-in-law, who is a volunteer with this wonderful animal rescue/sanctuary. We have gone with him to visit the animals while he is working with them and have met Cindy and Skip as well as others of the dedicated volunteers that help out. I really appreciate the open and loving hearts that Cindy,Skip and all the others have for all animals. I am so impressed with what they have done for the animals in their care and know that they would do more for others as money, room and manpower will permit. They have great care for the animals!
I have been a volunteer for SC CARES for almost 3 years. I fell in love with SC CARES on a visit and just felt I had to be a part of helping all of the animals. Cindy and Skip are two of the most awesome people you will ever meet and their 24/7 devotion to ALL of the animals is amazing! We always need donations and more volunteers, but we do what needs to be done to make sure the animals are cared for each and every day (sometimes it is even just Cindy by herself feeding 170+ animals, she has such devotion!). I love working with the animals and it has become my weekly "retreat" to keep myself grounded. Set up a tour, you will love meeting all the animals!!
I have been volunteering at SC CARES for about 5 years now. Sometimes I just help at fundraisers, but if I am lucky, I have time to go to the sanctuary and help the animals directly by feeding, cleaning, and loving. This is a top notch rescue sanctuary who needs your help! Money works if you can't.
Sarah
Volunteering with SC-CARES was such a great experience. I went with ASU for Fall Break, and it was truly wonderful, Skip and Cindy were so passionate and caring about all the animals, and I learned so much from just being around them. I hope they continue to do good work for animals in the future.
SC-CARES is a organization that is built on the love of animals of all kinds. I had the pleasure to visit this past summer and would encourage anyone locally to do so as well. Sc-CARES survives on donations and every dollar donated really does make a difference. I would encourage anyone that has a love for animals to get more information on the organization and make a donation to help save our furry friends!
SC-CARES is truly a wonderful organization. Cindy and Skip are so passionate about caring for animals and it shows as soon as you drive onto the property. I was truly fascinated by their knowledge and love for the animals. It was amazing to see so many exotic animals being cared for by such a small organization. I would recommend this place for anyone to visit and volunteer. If I lived closer, I would be a committed volunteer. I love spreading the word of how wonderful they are and I hope they can continue to grow and people support them.
I volunteered at SC-CARES during spring break and was simply amazed by this organization. Cindy and Skip are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly love what they do, and have made an outstanding home for the animals.The animals are beyond well taken care of. I learned so much from the experience and have so much respect for what they do! It is a life-changing experience to volunteer with these amazing people and animals!
SC-CARES is an amazing place! I had the pleasure of visiting this past summer! The knowledge and love that Cindy and Skip have for the animals they care for is incredible! If you are ever in the Georgetown, SC area, stop in for a visit!
I have visited SC-CARES on many occasions while here on holidays from Canada. It is a wonderful place and they do incredible work with the animals. I admired Cindy and Skip's dedication and hard work.
I love it there.
We first visited SC-Cares last summer and were blown away by the work being done there. The animals are cared for and loved. Each animal is known by name and Cindy ensures that each not only get the nutrition they need, she works with a vet to identify the best supplements to keep the animals and birds healthy.
I have rarely met an organization that runs on love and passion and SC-Cares is definitely one of them. Last summer we adopted several of the animals and, even though we live in Canada and only visit this area once a year, we will continue to provide whatever support we can. Cindy, Skip, and the volunteers should be so proud of what they have created and maintain.
I have been at sc cares several times and I have always been impressed with this very unique rescue. Who else would take in a calf with only three good legs or a deer with only three legs. The parrot building is amazing. Great people!!
This is great charity run by 2 very caring, hardworking people. These animals would literally have no place to go it they did not have the santuary. Some are exotics and some are farm animals and other wildlife that could not be rehabilitated and put back in the wild. Since the local rescue organizations usually only do cats and dogs, this is the only place for these animals to go and their last hope. Being a volunteer there, you can't help but fall in love with them- the people and the animals.
SC-CARES has the animals in first place in everything they do. The animals come first and then if there is any time left over during the day, maybe they get a little break. But that doesn't happen too often. They see that these animals are cared for as if they were their children and always show them their love. The animals sense the love they receive from their caretakers. I have been there many times and there is a great atmosphere around these animals. Any help they can receive is very needful.
Patricia Hodges
Lexington, North Carolina
Believe it or not, this animal reserve started in a house on High Rock Lake in Lexington NC and then moved to the present location in Georgetown SC. Skip and Cindy wanted to start a zoo in SC but ran into major problems with some developers. As a result they were able to purchase the land in Georgetown SC and started SC Cares. It is a 501c3 non profit which survives off of donations from the public and businesses. The workers are all volunteer and give of their time and talents to insure the animals have a place of security and safety to live out their lives. Skip and Cindy are two individuals that are dedicated to animal survival and without the help and interest of the public it couldn't survive. Thanks to the dedication of Veterinarians and businesses many things and time have been donated for the interest of the animals. They are presently in the process of building a aviary for the birds of many different species.
If you have not contributed, please take a moment and send a donation to this worthy cause.
Maurice Hodges
Lexington NC 27295