You’re probably familiar with these two friendly faces: Miranda Holliday, the main high school lunch lady, and Chad Holliday, also known as “Mr. Chad,” the custodian. That isn’t their only job, though! Outside of school hours, they run the C & M Small Animal Rescue.
They originally started in June of 2019 in their house in Normal. Since moving to El Paso, they now have half of a giant Morton building housing the rescue. They take in many animals, including bunnies, chinchillas, guinea pigs, birds, leopard geckos, snakes, spiders, bearded dragons, ferrets, turtles, tortoises, frogs, sugar gliders, fish, and many others. They take in animals–whether they are unwanted, lost, or sick– and take care of them. Then they adopt them out to loving families and individuals.
Miranda and Chad both love their work. They spend countless hours taking care of the animals. Chad is always looking for better ways to improve the rescue. He loves to build enclosures and toys for the animals. He builds the chinchillas’ enclosures out of wood by himself, kiln-dried pine to be exact. The chinchillas jump around their cage onto the wooden platforms and shelves. They also chew on the shelves to take care of their teeth so they don’t overgrow. Miranda spends hours at the computer keeping paperwork and records sorted, along with keeping the bills paid. She also assists Chad in the daily care of all the animals.
They have travelled to notably far places from home, such as Florida, West Virginia, and New Orleans, to rescue animals. Along with travelling far from home, locations near home help them tons. PetCo in Normal has a donation box in its store that goes to the animal rescue. They also work alongside animal control services in many different counties. Just recently, they had two Kunekune pigs that were seized by Springfield Animal Control, along with eight parakeets and 10 bunnies, all in one night. 
Why are they interested in this work? Chad responded, “I’m just doing my part. I believe everyone should do their part to better the world.” He then explained, “It takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours a day to check on, feed, and water.” With Miranda keeping track of all the records, I asked her how many animals they have adopted out. “We have adopted out roughly five hundred to six hundred animals every year since we started in 2019.” She also said, “Since starting the rescue, it has helped me overcome my fear of snakes and spiders.” There was a nine-foot-long yellow Burmese python that specifically helped.
Now that you’ve heard all of this, you must wonder what it is to live with it. I know firsthand hand as these are my parents! When I was younger, I still remember being stuffed in the back seat of the car with animals in cages and supplies surrounding me. The rescue has become not only a huge part of my parents’ lives but also a part of my life. I have had many experiences open to me as I went along with my parents on rescue trips across state lines. If you’re interested in learning more about or possibly adopting an animal from C & M Small Animal Rescue, just talk to Chad or Miranda. You can also visit their page on Facebook.
