About

Overview

Sitting amid the pristine natural beauty of the Northern California, Big Cat Refuge is a non-profit, licensed exotic wildlife sanctuary providing permanent, lifetime care to some of the rarest and most endangered species on Earth.  Tourists and animal enthusiasts from around the world come year-round to visit our beautiful grounds and meet our unique animals, including big, medium, and small cats often not housed in mainstream zoos.  Our exotic felines and other animals often come from bad homes and have suffered abuse, abandonment, or homelessness.  Our founding principle is to only provide the highest quality proactive care, standards, and enrichment, exemplified by always going above and beyond for our animals.

While there are 41 known species of felids, Big Cat Refuge is extremely unique as it houses one of the most complete felid collections in existence and sponsors several established special breeding plans under which the rarest endangered species are selectively bred to ensure their survival.  Small and medium exotic cats, for example, are most often not featured in mainstream zoos and their plights are largely unknown to the public, which has sadly fueled an industry of medium cat “pets” being kept in homes.  Nearly all our animals are non-releasable and critically endangered and enjoy diet, enrichment, exercise, and enclosure standards that far exceed minimum requirements.

BCR is a 501(c)(3) licensed non-profit operating under the supervision of highly qualified animal care professionals.  What started as a childhood dream evolved into a massive compound dedicated to the care of abandoned, neglected, and unwanted exotic species with a special focus on exotic cats and special needs animals.  We are one of California’s only true sanctuaries, not an exploitative commercial zoo, and are proud to house these magnificent, majestic creatures.

Your donations are highly appreciated, as BCR receives no government funding to support the animals under its care.  We are entirely dependent on the generosity of individuals and companies like you.  Don’t forget to reserve a tour to learn more in person.

Mission

Big Cat Refuge’s principal mission is to provide the finest natural sanctuary for exotic wildlife in need by providing permanent, lifetime care along with wildlife conservation education programs to our local communities to promote public awareness of the plights of exotic species.

Our education and conservation goals are primarily driven by our Volunteer Program and Educational Tours, through which the public becomes more enlightened about the importance of exotic wildlife and their rapidly declining natural habitats.

“When you visit our park, there’s a sense of magic.  You can see that the animals are loved and adored.  If you listen to their stories, you can understand their plights in the wild.  I don’t just want these animals to be found in a book or on TV.  We can make a difference, not just with these animals, but with their entire species.”

Ryan, BCR Founder

Beliefs

As a non-profit organization, we believe it’s important for our donors, visitors, and fans to understand our position on important animal-related issues.  We do not consider ourselves overzealous in our beliefs and we’re not radi-claw, but as a true sanctuary, we have certain uncompromising principles.

In addition to “common sense” positions (like opposing poaching, canned hunts, trophy hunting, animal fights, and declawing), our organization maintains firm stances on the following issues:

1. Exotic animals (particularly large carnivores) are not pets.  Unlicensed, unregulated private ownership of exotic wildlife is dangerous and wrong.
2. “Cub petting,” “cub photo ops,” and direct public contact of exotic animals is dangerous and wrong.  Promoting such attractions is dangerous for humans and animals and fuels a market for cubs who are ripped away from their mothers and ultimately languish in terrible conditions once they’re too old.
3. Unnecessary captivity of wildlife is wrong.  Captivity should only be a last resort if the animal is unable to be safely released in the wild or is part of a special breeding plan designed to continue survival of the species.
4. Captive breeding of animals should only occur to save a species from extinction.
5. Conservation of natural habitats is vital to the survival of countless endangered species and should be prioritized by governments.
6. Animal sanctuaries should be non-profit and animal care standards should always be beyond reproach.

At Big Cat Refuge, our beliefs drive all our decisions and are visible in our rescue decisions, educational programs, and even our advertising.  

Licenses & Accreditations

US Charity # 88–2289441 / CA Charity # CT0297114