Many were pets that outgrew their owners and their quarters, some are retired circus performers or have worked in the entertainment field and still others have been in small zoos that can no longer afford the care and upkeep of these beauties. Many have been abused and many more are scheduled to be destroyed because there are so few accredited sanctuaries with ample accommodations and funding to house the cats and allow them to live out their natural lives. Many are on the endangered species list. These magnificent creatures are the special residents of BigCat Rescue where every cat has the opportunity to live out their days in comfort.
The sanctuary is situated on 42 acres just outside the city limits of Tampa. Flanking one side of BigCat is a huge strip mall and across from that, the Citrus Park shopping mall. It's very easy to go right past the tiny dirt road leading to the sanctuary that has only a modest sign denoting the way to BigCat Rescue.
Owner Carol Lewis began the sanctuary in 1992. Read her story on how it all began here: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/how_we_start... The sanctuary is completely non-profit with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the feeding and doctoring of the cats and also in keeping their "natural" enclosures safe for both the cats and the visitors.
If you visit the sanctuary, don't expect to see the cats in cages or small enclosures nor should you expect a "zoo" atmosphere. The sanctuary is for the cats and everything about it is geared to their comfort and well-being, so if you're looking for rides and games, this is not the place to go but if you're a great cat or small cat enthusiast, you won't want to miss the opportunity of being up close and personal with some of the residents.
Currently, the sanctuary is home to approximately 200+ cats ranging in size from the tiny serval to the huge Barbary lion. The following is a list of some of cats you can see at BigCat Rescue:
Barbary Lions - Read this interesting news item about what was thought to be an extinct species and the DNA research currently being conducted on a pair of lions known to be descendants of the last line of Barbary lions: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/barbary_lion...
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