How did CARE get started

CARE has not always been the organization that it is today. In years past, the facility was used as a big-cat boarding house for a traveling show. Over time, new leadership arose that wanted to take the organization in a new direction, and with the inspiration of our late mascot, Jake link to Jake’s ‘in loving memory’ section, CARE was envisioned. Jake was the epitome of the horrible things that a person could do to a big cat. He was declawed, malnourished, left for dead, and the prospect of his survival when he first arrived to the facility was slim at best.  
 

CARE was started to put an end to these stories. We all share the same disgust for those who continue to abuse big cats, and our organization is dedicated to the fight for their safe-keeping and survival. When it is possible, we will house and rehabilitate sick, injured, and abused big cats ourselves.  
 

CARE is also dedicated to the future of big cats through research.  This research will help us provide for big cats better in captivity.  We all wish for big cats to live in the wild where they deserve to be.  Unfortunately we see decreasing numbers of big cat populations in the wild because of; poaching, disease, loss of nature, poor gene pools and starvation.  As human population continues to raise the cat population in the wild will surely decrease until there is no “Wild” left.  Due to this horrific fact, it has been increasingly become evident we must learn to provide for these amazing creatures in captivity if we wish to have them for the future to see.  Our research projects include dietary and vitamin studies. 
 
 

Where does CARE get its funding

CARE receives financial support from different venues. These include corporate sponsorship, our adoption and sponsorship program, fundraising events, tours of the CARE facility, and most importantly- private donations from people like you! The care of these magnificent creatures relies solely on the loving generosity of our supporters, and we deeply thank each and every one of you who have so selflessly given so that the cats could live in safety and comfort.  
 

Are you open to the public

Absolutely! Our goal is to educate the public about issues effecting big cats, in turn the public may become more active in our fight for big cats survival. We give tours either by appointment Link to email and phone, or walk-in on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please keep in mind that even though we try to be as accommodating as possible for walk-in tours it is best to call or email ahead for an appointment. This is usually due, in part, to the current day’s workload and the amount of volunteers on-site who are qualified to give tours. We also refrain from giving tours if the cats are eating. Some of the cats are protective of their food, and they will get agitated if there are too people walking around their enclosures. Weekends are usually the best time to drop in, so we hope to see you soon! link to directions 
 

How many Big Cats do you have

CARE is home to 41 Orange and White Tigers, 3 Lions, 6 Spotted and Black Leopards, 3 Cougars, and 1 Snow Leopard.  
 

Where did all the cats come from

Our cats have come from a number of different places. Sadly, some of the cats have come from private owners and unethical entrepreneurs who oftentimes were abusive and neglectful to their cats.  Some were born at the facility before CARE became CARE. 

How do you feed your Big Cats  

This is a high profile question.  Most institutions feed their big cats a processed meat product.  For the most part a quality meat with vitamins added for optimal feline health.  Although this is appropriate we have found feeding whole animals like cows, horses, deer and store bought chicken has great health benefit.  The majority of animals used to feed are livestock that have recently expired.   

In the cases the animals are still living, they are euthanized humanely. These animals are in critical health and would die soon on their own.  Our policy is to relieve any suffering immediately.  The living animals arrive mainly due to: colic, complications in birthing, broken legs or extreme emaciation due to old age.  Each animal owner is asked a series of questions to assure the animal cannot be rehabilitated.  In the cases where rehabilitation is possible CARE has gone so far as finding permanent homes for the animals in need.       

CARE has found it healthier for the animals to feed in what we call “holistically”, feeding the big cats the whole carcass.  Our big cats are eating the way they do naturally do in the wild.  The multi-day process of feeding allows the digestive system to function how it was intended, and promotes positive dental health (by eating bone, skin and hide).  Everyday CARE, along with other research institutions, is learning more about the positive effects of feeding holistic.  Click here to learn more about CARE’s research programs. 

How long does a Big Cat live

When a big cat is in the wild it will live, on average, about 10 to 12 years. In most captive situations the cats will live 15 to 17 years. Here at CARE, however, the cats tend to live around 18 or 20 years (and some even longer!). We attribute this to the “holistic” feeding that we do and also to the great amount of loving interaction that we regularly give the cats.  
 

Why are the cats in a sanctuary instead of being put in the wild  

There are a few reasons for this. Contrary to popular belief, there are very few places in the world that can be truly considered “wild” anymore. Most of the conventional “wild” places of the world are actually parks and reserves that are funded by the local government.  
 

Every cat that CARE provides a home for was; born, raised, and has lived in captive-bred situations throughout their lives. Their learned capacity to survive in the wild is virtually non-existent, and to simply thrust those animals into the wild, without them having the proper know-how to survive, would be a horribly neglectful and cruel act.  
 

Through recent research and discovery, it was found that tiger cubs taken from captive-bred situations and given intensive training over the course of years could be taught- by people- to hunt and live comfortably in the wild. Unfortunately, these cats also are living in a fenced area surrounded by people.  Like other big cats that live in the “wild”, if the cat were to escape its protective area it would most likely be killed by poachers or farmers protecting their families and animals.  The animals trained in this release program are not afraid of people, thus making them more dangerous is they ever escaped their protective area.   
 

Ultimately, we at CARE wish that there was never a need for sanctuaries like ours. We are hard-pressed to understand how anyone could ever treat these animals with anything but respect, dignity, and love, but we know all too well that those types of people exist. So as long as there are abused and neglected big cats out there that need our rescue, then we will not stop our mission.  
 

Is CARE currently accepting new cats

CARE is currently at its capacity as far as the amount cats that we can viably support. We are running the facility at its peak efficiency, and we are working on ways to increase the amount of cats that we are able to support without negating the care that we are able to give to our already resident cats. We have recently purchased the neighboring property with the hopes cleaning it and building more enclosures to house more cats. We’ve also started an aggressive fund-raising campaign with the hopes of providing the means to support the potential increase in our cat population. We want to try and help as many big cats as possible, but we must not ever decrease the level of care that we’re able to provide to our current cat residents.  
 

Has there ever been an escape at CARE

A cat has never escaped from the CARE compound.  
 

Why are there so many unwanted exotic animals

Many in the private sector who gain access to the ownership of a big cat do so when the cats are young, small, and manageable. Many people who own big cats also own them illegally. They will acquire the cat under the false impression that these animals would make good pets. This can’t be farther from the truth. What is needed to care for a big cat includes proper facilities, proper diet, proper veterinary care, and financial stability. Without all of these factors in place, the care of the cat will diminish, and the cat will most likely suffer as a result. Many people do not understand this. Whether they strive for the allure or prestige of owning a big cat, they sadly do not take the well-being of the cat into account. In many cases, the cat will grow to be too dangerous and financially draining for the person to maintain. Hopefully the proper authorities are notified and the cat will be place in a facility like ours, rather than the more horrific options of; starving to death, escaping and being put to death, or sent to a so called “good home” (really a hunting ranch) where the cat is yet again put to death.   
 

Can I physically help at CARE

One of the easiest ways to get a job at CARE is to simply come to the facility and fill out our volunteer application forms. You may also take a look at the volunteer opportunities section of our website.  We’re always looking for devoted individuals who are willing to donate their time and energy for the sake of the cats. We hope to see you around!