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About CARE
Our Mission Statement:
The Center for Animal Research & Education, (CARE) was founded to provide for the rescue, rehabilitation, and holistic nurturing of sick, injured or abused big cats thus ensuring a vital habitat and safe haven for them to live in comfort and with dignity. Further, with public education and research, to ultimately ensure the future of the species.
CARE was founded in 2003 as
a nonprofit public benefit corporation as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of
the IRS code - ID #03-0520301. The facility received its USDA Class C
license November 2
,
2004. Currently, CARE is home to 1 Snow Leopard, 3 Cougars, 6 Black &
Spotted Leopards, 3 African Lions, and 39 White and
Orange Tigers.
CARE is dedicated to working for and with this feline family to:
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Provide a resource
to the animal medical and scientific community for study, research and the
development of programs. The objective is to learn from the animals’ natural
behaviors, instincts and habitats. No experimentation of any kind will ever
take place nor will the animals’ safety and comfort ever be compromised.
- Provide a medical and scientific educational forum for veterinarians, veterinary students, animal caregivers, environmentalists, animal trainers, and volunteers and a place for collaboration on learned and discovered techniques to enhance the quality of life of big cats in captivity.
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Establish a public
awareness of the magnificence of the big cats, the activities at the Center
and the issues faced in caring for large exotic felines in order to create a
better understanding of the level of commitment required and to facilitate
greater community involvement.
- Provide a safe educational and recreational venue where families, groups, school children, and people of all ages can gather to observe and learn from these great creatures.
The Center for Animal Research & Education is working to help turn the tide
of the abused and abandoned big cat. The previous organization operated
primarily as a boarding facility for performing
animals and assisted in
big cat rescue efforts by providing care and a sanctuary for animals rescued
from abusive and unsafe environments. Heidi Berry,
a recognized
authority in the field of captive management and husbandry of large exotic
felines, moved to refocus the purpose of the Center in 2002. In order to
protect and provide for the Center’s long-term future, all commercial
activity was terminated and the conversion to a nonprofit entity commenced.
By 2003, CARE had received its tax-exempt 501(c)(3) determination from
the IRS. Founder Heidi Berry and
countless volunteers are the driving force behind the Center’s mission.
Their tireless devotion to the care and welfare of the great cat family is
the foundation on which the Center was built. It is the organization’s
staff, volunteers, members and donors who hold the hope and promise for the
future welfare of the magnificent creatures that depend on CARE for a
safe haven.
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