Animal rescuers never know what they’ll be called out for — but one woman in Australia faced a rescue unlike any other when she was asked to help a spider in danger.
The call came from someone who had spotted a massive huntsman spider and wanted to kill her. Instead, Barnyard Betty’s Rescue stepped in to save the gentle giant, later naming her Charlotte.
And Charlotte wasn’t just any huntsman. At nearly the size of a pug, she may be one of the largest of her kind ever photographed.
Though her size startled people, rescuers quickly saw the truth — Charlotte wasn’t dangerous at all. Like most huntsman spiders, she was calm, non-aggressive, and simply wanted to live her life in peace, snacking on bugs.
“She was a beautiful, calm spider, not aggressive in any way,” Barnyard Betty’s Rescue wrote on Facebook. “She didn’t or doesn’t need to be killed! Poor spiders are so misunderstood.”
After her rescue, Charlotte was safely released on the rescue’s farm, where she could roam freely without fear.
While her photo sparked fear in many who saw it online, Barnyard Betty’s Rescue hopes her story helps remind people that every creature — big, small, or scary-looking — deserves kindness and respect.
“All creatures great and small are welcome here at Barnyard Betty’s Rescue,” they wrote. “A safe haven no matter how you look.”
To help other misunderstood animals like Charlotte, you can donate to Barnyard Betty's Rescue.
