This Is How I Ended Up at a Kangaroo Sanctuary
“Do you think the kangaroos are my destiny?” I whispered to Josh while we were falling asleep.
“No,” he answered back.
“I think they’re my destiny,” I told him.
*******
My friend Sarah told me about the kangaroo sanctuary. It’s actually not just kangaroos. The woman has wallabies and sugar gliders and degus and emus. But the focus is on the kangaroos. And maybe sanctuary is the wrong term. Maybe kangaroo ranch? In any case, it’s an education kangaroo space.
Sarah and I were talking about what I’m going to do with myself when the twins go to college. I am in a constant state of thinking about possible hobbies and volunteer work. I was telling her how we’re going to become birders, despite knowing nothing about birds, and that I was going to start volunteering with the ornithological society. “It’s not ideal,” I told her, “mostly because I’m not totally in love with birds, but volunteering for the zoo — what I really want to do — is too hard because it’s so far away.”
“Why don’t you volunteer at the kangaroo sanctuary. That’s right near your house.”
Kangaroo sanctuary? How have I never heard of this place?
She opened her phone and showed me photos of her daughter petting a kangaroo. The woman takes the animals on the road for educational events, but you can also visit the ranch and play with the animals while you learn about macropods. Plus, they need volunteers to clean out the habitats.
I was born to clean. That is my passion. When I was a kid, I mucked stalls and groomed horses once a week at the stable where I rode. My favourite job ever was dishwasher at a cafe. I have cleaning supplies all over my house so I can be in a constant state of cleaning.
The only way I can explain how in felt to learn about this place was with that part in The Magicians when Penny brought the button to Quentin after they were both out of Brakebills and Quentin realized that his childhood dream of going to Fillory had been in his future the whole time. That is how I felt learning about this amazing space just a few minutes from my house — that the Melissa of a few weeks ago had no idea that her future contained a kangaroo sanctuary, but it clearly has always been my destiny, especially as I piece together moments of my life like a jigsaw, layering together my love of animals with my love of Australia with my love of cleaning.
I went last week for the first time. I got to hold a baby kangaroo in a carrier, stroking its velvety head while it ate leaves. We bottle-fed kangaroos and they licked treats off our hands. We peeked inside a pouch and saw a little jellybean-like kangaroo growing. There are about 30+ kangaroos on the ranch, and all but three were happy to play with us. They were so loving, and the woman who runs the ranch is brilliant and filled our brains with macropod facts.
I want to start volunteering now so I have all of my ducks in a row before the twins leave for school. I need to know that something else needs me, even if it’s just to remove poop from an enclosure. I guess you can say that I’m ready for my destiny to begin.
11 comments
This is spectacular. I am looking forward to a lot of kangaroo stories. Can we get weekly updates?
Oh. My. Heavens. (Squeeeeeee!) SO CUTE!
Sounds like a fantastic plan for volunteering!
Exactly this: “I want to know that something else needs me”
Wow did you hit the nail on the head there.
But OMG this place exists right in our backyards, basically? I don’t have to go all the way Down Under to see Kangaroos??? Can anyone go there??? I need to know what this place is and I need to go there NOW.
You see….I LOVE Kangaroos. When my dad went there on business when I was in high school I asked him to bring me back a kangaroo. And He brought me back a stuffed one. And my heart melted because he remembered and oh my 😭
I *thought* Josh was your soul mate, but if he can’t see how kangaroos are your destiny…I’m having some doubts. I will assume that he sees some other plan, and knows that kangaroos will just be a stop on the road to that. But I’m seeing destiny here for sure.
I wish we had an exotic animal rescue nearby!
How cool! Unfortunately for me, the only animal sanctuary near my home is for reptiles. I don’t see myself volunteering there! 😉
That is very cool! I’m kind of jealous.
I am so flipping excited for you. You look so happy!
Sorry to be a downer… But if this is the place I found in MD by googling it is definitely not a sanctuary or rescue and I hope they’re not calling themselves that. This is something I feel very strongly about (and I’ve attended my fair share of animal law conferences so I know a thing or two). It looks like it’s basically a glorified petting zoo – – renting out wild animals to make a buck and calling it education. Not cool with me (we don’t patronize zoos)…
Definitely not a downer, but it is a USDA-licensed educational space on regulated farmland that takes in kangaroos that need housing. Definitely felt good about the visit, though I will say that we patronize zoos when we feel the zoo is mirroring the animal’s habitat, providing education or conservation services, etc. So I may have a lower bar. I use PETA’s guidelines for evaluating a space, and they hit 9 of their 10 guidelines.
I don’t know if it’s your destiny — but it does sound like something you would do (& love doing), lol.
A former classmate/friend wound up her career as the head of the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada before she retired. 🙂
https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ca/
Oooooooooh, that picture! You look so HAPPY. This sounds like the perfect opportunity for you. I do think that kangaroos are your destiny!
(Also, I had to look up what a “degu” is, they are super cute too!)