Big Cat Rescue 1992-2024
With an unwavering commitment to conservation, we strive to protect these majestic creatures both in captivity and in their natural habitats.
By championing the Big Cat Public Safety Act and funding insitu projects, we work tirelessly to combat the threats posed by the pet trade, wildlife trafficking, bushmeat and sport hunting, as well as the collection of wildcats for zoos.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure the survival and thriving future of wildcats, fostering a world where they can roam freely and their presence continues to enrich our planet. Click any pin below or choose from the menu at left to see conservation work funded by Big Cat Rescue.
NO TOURS
All of our cats have moved to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Reserve in Arkansas so that we can focus on keeping cats from going extinct in the wild. To read details about the move and our future plans see bigcatrescue.org/moving. We encourage you to visit our cats and many others at TCWR https://www.turpentinecreek.org/plan-your-trip/buy-tickets/
About Big Cat Rescue
Welcome to Big Cat Rescue, a dedicated organization committed to the preservation and protection of exotic wildcat species. Founded with a passion for wild cat protection and conservation, we have been at the forefront of critical efforts to safeguard these remarkable creatures for over 31 years.
Our journey began by recognizing the urgent need to address the issues faced by big cats in captivity. Through tireless advocacy and collaboration, we played a pivotal role in the passing of the U.S. federal Big Cat Public Safety Act in December 2022. This landmark legislation stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the well-being of big cats across the nation.
While our efforts in securing legislation are pivotal, we believe that true conservation lies beyond the walls of captivity. To ensure the long-term survival of wildcat species, we have turned our attention to protecting them in their natural habitats. By funding insitu projects, we empower local communities and conservation initiatives to combat the various threats faced by wildcats, including the perils of the pet trade, wildlife trafficking, bushmeat and sport hunting, as well as the collection of these magnificent creatures as zoo specimens.
At Big Cat Rescue we are driven by a shared vision of a future where wildcats roam freely in their natural habitats, unhindered by human interference. We recognize the intrinsic value of these awe-inspiring creatures and the pivotal role they play in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Through collaboration, education, and unwavering dedication, we strive to protect and preserve the irreplaceable legacy of wildcats for generations to come. Our motto is: Wildcats in the wild; Our Mission, Their Future.
Join us in our mission to make a meaningful impact on the lives of these extraordinary animals. Our Goal is for our donors to find their gifts to us to be among the most satisfying they make by accomplishing our mission in the most financially responsible manner possible. We consistently receive Charity Navigator’s highest 4 star rating. Together, we can create a world where wildcats thrive, where they inspire awe and respect, and where their existence serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of our planet.
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Big Cat Rescue funded critical wild cat conservation projects in 2024, supporting efforts across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Initiatives include predator-proof chicken coops, spay/neuter programs to prevent disease transmission, and community education to reduce human-cat conflict. Key projects include protecting Pampas cats, ocelots, jaguarundis, and margays in Peru, Brazil, and Mexico; funding the Small Cat Conference in Ecuador; monitoring flat-headed cats in Indonesia; and supporting cheetah conflict mitigation in Kenya. Through collaborations with partners like Centro de Investigacion Biodiversidad Sostenible and Pampas Cat Working Group, Big Cat Rescue ensures sustainable conservation solutions for endangered and vulnerable wild cats worldwide.
The illegal trafficking of cheetah cubs for exotic pet ownership is driving the species toward extinction. With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs left in the wild, countries must act to protect these majestic animals. The U.S. set a powerful example by passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, which banned private ownership of big cats and ended dangerous practices like cub petting. This groundbreaking law has virtually ended big cat exploitation in the U.S., and now other nations must follow suit to combat wildlife trafficking and ensure a future where big cats can thrive in the wild.
Shop to save wild cats at BigCatRescue.biz
Fernando Vidal has dedicated the past 24 years to rescuing and protecting Chile's endangered native wildlife. In 2000, Fernando and his wife, both former airline employees, used their life savings to purchase land and establish a reserve for animals in need. Their primary focus has been on threatened species like pumas, guiñas, pudus (the world's smallest deer), and huemuls.
Jose Ramirez Fernandez is a passionate conservationist working tirelessly to protect small wild cat species in the dense forests and rugged mountains of Costa Rica. As a native Costa Rican who is an expert in rodent biology, Jose brings a unique perspective and skill set to his mission of saving animals like the elusive oncilla, powerful ocelot, and the newly discovered clouded tiger cat.
In the lush landscapes of Mexico, where the whispers of the wild carry stories of majesty and survival, stands a hero whose dedication to conservation is as profound as the roots of the ancient trees. Mariam Weston, leading the Ocelot Working Group under the mentorship of Dr. Jim Sanderson, embodies the spirit of hope for the region's most elusive inhabitants: the Jaguar, Ocelot, Puma, Bobcat, Margay, and Jaguarundi.
Dr. Hurtado's unwavering commitment to the conservation of endangered cats is evident in her tireless efforts to protect the Pampas Cat and the Andean Mountain Cat from the brink of extinction. Each day, she wakes up with a singular purpose: to ensure that these elusive and precious animals continue to thrive in their natural habitats.
With unwavering determination, Dr. Tirelli pursued her PhD in Zoology, focusing on the ecology of the Geoffroy's Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) and the Pampas Cat (L. munoai) in the Brazilian and Uruguayan Pampas.
Our conservation funding started back in the 1990s when we provided funding for small wildcats workshops in Costa Rica and Nevada. In 2005 we funded $8950 in projects. In 1997, at the urging of our President, Jamie Veronica Murdock, we began supporting the Snow Leopard Trust through their Irbis Enterprises, and were their second largest customer for handicrafts made by local people to protect snow leopards until we closed in 2020. We didn't track insitu donations formally until 2006 and from then until 2014 our donations, over and above those for SLT, were around $5,000 per year. In 2015 we were able to increase our conservation funding to $29,000. In 2016 we increased our wildcat conservation funding to $51,000. In 2017 we were able to increase it to $89,000. From 2018 - 2022 we were able to provide critical conservation funding to those protecting wildcats globally with $100,000 per year. In 2023, despite all of the challenges from COVID 19 and having been closed for tours since 2020 we were still able to increase ouf insitu funding to $131,000. Not counting donations prior to 2006 and not counting any of our support to the Snow Leopard Trust, we have donated $989,000. Would you help us cross over the $1,000,000 million dollar mark in 2024?
People are Purring about Big Cat Rescue
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“I love to use every opportunity to praise the work these people at BCR are doing. If you have a chance to donate please do so.
Eric Winkler
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“I’ve been a fan and supporter of Big Cat Rescue for nearly ten years. I’ve donated thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours helping spread their mission.”
Mary N
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“Very informative. Helpful and friendly staff and interns. They showed how much they cared about conservation and about the plight of the animals they are trying to protect.”
K Sr