Our Story

Cape Fear Critters was born from a childhood spent deep in rural North Carolina — a place where animals outnumbered people and the sound of the wild was part of everyday life.

Our founder, Haley, was raised on land in Cape Fear where her mother, Tandy, had grown up before her. Tandy homeschooled Haley and passed down her love of animals — a love first kindled by her grandfather, who never met a stray dog he didn’t try to save. 

Compassion came naturally in their family, and the outdoors was the classroom.

It was in those early years that Haley met Pauly — a newborn opossum, hairless and helpless, whose mother had been killed by a dog. Haley was 11 years old, and she fed him drop by drop every two hours through sleepless nights until his belly was full. She made him a baby book. She carried him through the trees. He was her best friend.

When Pauly died, Haley was heartbroken. But something deeper took root — a lifelong calling to care for animals others overlooked.

To help Haley stay connected to wildlife, her mother became a licensed wildlife rehabber in 2012. Haley, just 12 years old at the time, joined her mother in caring for injured and orphaned animals. She’s been doing it ever since.

For years, Haley supported rescues across North Carolina and Texas — bottle-feeding kittens, nursing wildlife, and helping animals find safety. In 2025, she returned home to Cape Fear and made it official: she founded Cape Fear Critters, a registered nonprofit rescue and sanctuary on over five acres of land.

Cape Fear Critters spans over five peaceful acres of sanctuary land in Cape Fear, North Carolina. It’s a place where animals come to heal, grow, and — in many cases — stay for life.

Some, like Jack-Jack the pony, Lulu the pig, and Norbit the turkey, are permanent residents. Others — like Mouse the opossum, who was released but still drops by — are part of the extended sanctuary family. Whether they’re here for a season or forever, every animal is welcomed with compassion, safety, and respect.

Cape Fear Critters is a rescue, a home, and a legacy built on love, grit, and wild-hearted devotion.