“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Unless you’re a cat or a dog, there’s a safe place for you at A Critter’s Chance in Hendricks county. Pigs, foxes, iguanas, turtles, snakes, rabbits … they have them all and most are available for adoption. Because regular shelters don’t have the resources to properly house and care for exotic pets when they’ve been confiscated due to abuse or neglect, that’s where A Critter’s Chance comes to the rescue.
Founded back in 2006 by Michelle Manker, A Critter’s Chance has helped hundreds of animals find their forever homes and provided a safe haven for those that are either not adoptable or are still waiting to find a family. The rescue’s mission is also to educate the public on the types of exotic pets they house and the care required to keep them healthy and happy.
Unfortunately, Michelle passed suddenly in 2013 and the future of the rescue wasn’t certain. However, other volunteers, including president Amanda Nosie and vice-president Kelly Thomas, stepped in to keep her dream alive and keep the A Critter’s Chance going.
Marley the red fox.
“To see the transition of a weak, scared, malnourished animals transform into a beautiful, happy, healthy pet is very rewarding,” says Thomas. “We have a good core group with a passion and knowledge of different species. It definitely takes teamwork and a lot of communication to make it work … it is endless, exhausting and sometimes heartbreaking work, but also very rewarding.
But some days are much harder than others and the inability to save every animal is tough on the volunteers.
“Unfortunately, there are way too many that are suffering and not enough help, capacity and finances to save them all,” Thomas adds. “We do as much as we can, but have to know when we’re at capacity and know when to say no.”
Kelly Thomas and Gambit, a pot-bellied pig.
So how can you help? “Donations are what we run on, but we can always use blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, hay, straw, bedding of all kinds, rabbit food, poultry feed, frozen mice for our snakes, fruits and vegetables for all species and poultry cuts for our foxes,” Thomas says. Donations can even be designated for a specific animal in need, whether for medical bills, food, etc.
Every critter deserves a chance at a happy life … and A Critter’s Chance makes that possible for so many.
For more information on A Critter’s Chance and how to volunteer or make a donation, please visit http://www.acritterschance.net or visit their Facebook page.
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