My Nonprofit Reviews

SC CARES founders Cindy and Skip changed my life while changing the lives of countless animals.

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.