This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care. Today's focus is on a wildlife rescue. They're not as warm and fuzzy as kittens and puppies but the work they do is noble as are the animals they rescue.
I am here, alive and all around you
I have no voice
In your trees, your air, your fields, your oceans, your world
I have no voice
I am a mother, a father, a protector, a soul
I have no voice
I can walk, crawl, sing, fear
I have no voice
You must be my voice
Lions, Tigers & Bears
A Big Cat & Exotic Animal Sanctuary
The website is here
Take action here
Lions Tigers & Bears is a federally and state licensed non-profit 501(c)(3) rescue facility dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused Big Cats and other exotic animals. We are one of very few accredited Big Cat Sanctuaries in the US. We are a NO KILL, NO BREED, NO SELL rescue and educational facility that allows the animals in our care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. Our goal is to provide a safe haven for these rescued animals and to educate the public about the growing population of abandoned and unwanted exotic animals and where they come from. Our primary concerns are for the health and comfort of our animals and the safety of those who share these precious natural resources. We will protect and provide these animals with a lifetime home, realizing that environment, exercise, and personal attention are key to their well being. Every attempt is made to provide healthy diets, medical care, immunizations, and whatever else is necessary for the physical and psychological welfare of each animal in our care. In addition to our current family of cats, others in need of medical aid and rest have been welcomed to our sanctuary, limited only by the extent to which we are able to provide adequate help, shelter, and safety. Our original focus was on our rescued cats, but we are concerned with the welfare of all captive exotic animals.
Sadly, in many areas of the United States, there are countless unwanted, abused, and
abandoned Big Cats in captivity. In fact, the number of animals bred and born in captivity is greater than that in the wild. In most cases, cats born in captivity must endure horrific neglect and abuse due to the immense responsibility in their upkeep. In many states Big Cats, most commonly lions, tigers, cougars and bobcats, are acquired by roadside zoos and then eventually become surplus animals, are retired from entertainment, are purchased as pets when young, or are sold and bred for profit.
There are far too many stories of abuses suffered by captive cats. The most common is neglect and for this there can be no excuse. A large cat, be it bobcat, serval, leopard, lion, or tiger, cannot be a pet. Many people do not realize that in many states a baby lion or tiger can be bought just as you would a pet dog or cat. What starts out as a novelty – that cute, little 10-pound cub – soon turns into a 500-pound wild animal that is expensive to manage and dangerous to have in your home.
How many tigers live this sort of terrible life? We believe there are about 10,000 exotic cats living in captivity in this country, bought and sold through this exotic animal trade – and remember, only about 5,000 are left in the wild! There are more tigers in backyards across this country than in all the zoos together. The exotic animal trade is a 17 billion dollar a year industry, second only to drugs and weapons. These exploited Big Cats are crassly used for silly entertainment, and when they don’t sell tickets or make money anymore, they are dumped and in desperate need of finding places to live. Then the exploiters buy another young cat and the same sad cycle begins again. It’s so heartbreaking. LTB receives calls every week from people who need to find a home for exotic cats because they can no longer afford them or no longer want to care for them. Owners of these cats soon find out that zoos and sanctuaries, already filled to capacity, have no room for them. These throw-away Big Cats can live 20 years or more – don’t they deserve a secure and happy lifetime home?
When our founder, Bobbi Brink, is asked why she started LTB, she often replies, “After witnessing the heart-breaking phenomenon known as the “exotic animal trade” and seeing the victims of this business, I was compelled to do what I could to help these animals. I have spent many sleepless nights picturing the tortured lives these cats end up living. The places where these marvelous animals are kept are truly disgusting – sometimes in places you would least expect, such as in miserable holding cells with no sunlight or windows, living in cages so small they barely have room to stand up or turn around. Many live in basements, never seeing the outdoors or smelling fresh air. I have seen 10 or more cats crowded together in a small enclosure, where they restlessly pace in filth and fight each other for scraps of food. Some starve to death. A full grown exotic cat costs about $15.00 a day to feed ($450.00 a month-just for food!)”
Lions Tigers & Bears strives to:
Rescue a limited number of cats and other exotic animals that have been abused, confiscated, or are in danger of being destroyed for lack of a suitable home and provide them with a permanent home.
Provide comfortable shelter, nutrition, health needs and caring attention to the animals currently in our care.
Maintain a clean habitat for the animals using the highest safety standards.
Participate with others to help promote legislation to ensure captive cats and other exotics receive responsible lifetime homes, prevent the breeding of captive Big Cats without special purpose and reduce the abuse that so many endure.
Arouse community interest and awareness by educating the public about the plight of all exotic animals, both captive and wild, and by providing information about how we can help them survive.
Lions, Tigers & Bears’ Adoption Program
Have you always wished you could have a tiger as part of your family? Now you can! Or a lion, leopard, llama or any of the other beautiful rescued animals at Lions, Tigers & Bears. You can adopt your favorite LTB animal by making a monetary gift of any amount (a recurring monthly or quarterly donation). Your contribution will help us provide lifetime care for the animals at our sanctuary. In appreciation of your generosity you will receive an official Adoption Certificate, a photo of your new furry family member and a personalized thank you note.
To adopt one of our rescued animals, you can either:
Click the Adopt Me below which will direct you to our Paypal page. At check out be sure to write the name of the animal you want to adopt (ie: “Conrad Adoption”) in the “Purpose” section and be sure to mark the box to “Make this recurring (monthly)”.
ADOPT ME!
On behalf of all of our rescued animals, we thank YOU!
Click here for a complete list of LTB’s adoptable animals.
Click here for the Official LTB Adoption form.
Mail form with payment to:
Lions, Tigers & Bears
24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901