Who is Big Cat Rescue?

Big Cat Rescue is one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world dedicated to abused and abandoned big cats.

We are home to about 50+ lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars and other species most of whom have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, saved from being turned into fur coats, or retired from performing acts.

What sets Big Cat Rescue apart is that we are working to end the abuse at its root by ending the private possession and trade in exotic cats through legislation and education.

The sanctuary began rescuing exotic cats in Nov. 4, 1992.

Mission Statement

Big Cat Rescue’s mission is to provide the best home we can for the cats in our care, end abuse of big cats in captivity and prevent extinction of big cats in the wild.

Big Cat Rescue has many species of cats, many of whom are threatened, endangered or extinct now in the wild, including:

Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Cougars, Bobcats, Lynx, Servals, Ocelots and Caracals

The cats at Big Cat Rescue are here for a variety of reasons, including:

Abandoned by owners who wrongly thought they would make good pets

Abused by owners in order to force them to perform

Retired from performing acts

Saved from being slaughtered to make fur coats

Rescued as babies after hunters killed their mothers

Visit Big Cat Rescue

Big Cat Rescue is closed to the public until there is a vaccine to protect the cats.

Contact Big Cat Rescue

General inquiries: info@bigcatrescue.org or call 813.920.4130 We are located at 12802 Easy St. Tampa, FL 33625 No visitors other than regular donors.

More About Big Cat Rescue

Find out more about Big Cat Rescue’s celebrity endorsements, our awards and credentials, the cats we have rescued, our finances, our staff, our volunteers, our media coverage, our history and evolution and your privacy.