In-Sync Exotics is a wild-life refuge in Wylie that provides sanctuary for exotic animals that have been orphaned, abandoned or mistreated. The day I visited was wet and dreary, and I’m not just talking about the rainy weather.  In fact, almost every person I met had tears in their eyes.

   “Nicholas, our 16-year-old Bengal tiger, is dying,” said Liz Dunn, volunteer animal behaviorist. “We just found out two days ago.  We knew he was sick because he stopped eating, but this diagnosis is devastating – so, yeah, emotions are running real high.”

     In-sync owner Vicky Keahey took “Nicky” to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Texas A & M in College Station where they diagnosed the cat with cancer.

    “He only has a few days left and there’s nothing we can do.  I’m just trying to keep him comfortable until…” she said, stopping mid-sentence, tears streaming down her face. “If he doesn’t start eating again, I’ll give him another day, put his head on my lap, stroke his back, and then let him go to heaven.”

     Keahey founded the nonprofit 19 years ago after rescuing a cougar from a veterinary clinic she was working at.  In-sync is now home to 45 animals: 18 tigers, 6 lions, 3 leopards, 12 cougars, 2 Siberian lynxes, 2 bobcats, an African serval and a coatimundi.   It’s a job that requires round-the-clock care.

     “I live here, literally - my day starts at around 8 a.m.  scooping poop, cleaning out dens, shifting cats around so they can all have playground time; they all get fed one main meal, and then snacks all day long,” she said. “And there are so many other duties that come up like illness or vaccinations. It’s labor, but it’s a labor of love.”

    The average big cat eats five pounds of ground meat as their main meal, a pound and a half of chicken for dessert, and several meat-strip-treats each day.

    “And let me tell you, it gets expensive,” said Keahey.  “It costs about $12,000 per month just for food, and that doesn’t include bills, transportation costs or extras. Vet care alone can run $20,000 per year.”

      This time of year is the hardest with donations running dangerously low.

      “Right now, we are in desperate need,” she said.  “I’m willing to plead, beg, scream and holler because we need help to care for these animals real, real bad.”

   Keahey has four regular employees and 156 volunteers, 25 of whom work on a regular basis.

    “We offer guided tours and field trips for families, scout groups and schools, and we do ask for donations for those to help us support the animals,” she said.   

    Plans for the future?

    “We’re hoping to build our own on-site vet clinic fully equipped for big cats by the end of next year so we can provide all of their care right here,” she said.

     “We’ll need a lot of grants and donations to make that happen ---- but this is my life.  I’m totally invested.  They are like my children.  I’ll be out here old as the hills in a wheelchair pointing fingers if I have to.”

    To make a much-needed donation or schedule a tour, visit www.insyncexotics.com; call 972-442-6888 or mail checks directly to In-Sync Exotics, P.O. Box 968, Wylie, Texas, 75098.