Why Selling Big Cat Rescue’s Sanctuary Land Was the Best Decision for Wild Cats

Updated 8/27/2025

After over 31 years of operating Big Cat Rescue on our 67-acre sanctuary grounds, we sold the property in 2024 for roughly $20 million to two developers who will transform it into apartments and townhomes. This decision has sparked a mix of reactions, with some expressing disappointment that the sanctuary won’t remain open for visits. However, the decision was guided by a commitment to prioritize the well-being of the animals—both those that remained in our care and their wild counterparts.

Here’s why this was the best course of action for the animals, now and in the future:

The Decline in Resident Cats

At the height of Big Cat Rescue’s operations, we housed over 100 rescued big cats. By 2023, after the landmark passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, which ended private ownership and cub-petting exploitation in the U.S., the number of captive big cats needing rescue dramatically decreased. Our population dwindled to just 33 cats. Continuing to operate the sanctuary at a cost of $3.5 million annually no longer made financial or ethical sense.

Larger Enclosures for Our Cats

The remaining cats in our care were relocated to the accredited Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where we spent nearly 2 million dollars to build bigger and better homes for each of our cats. This sanctuary spans more than 400 acres, allowing for much larger and more naturalistic enclosures than what we could provide in Tampa. The proceeds from the land sale has ensured we can fund their food and medical care for the rest of their lives. Knowing our beloved cats now live in more spacious habitats brings us immense satisfaction. Knowing they are safe from hurricanes is a relief we can’t even begin to convey.

A Shift to Saving Wild Cats

The proceeds from the land sale have been invested to amplify our impact on global conservation efforts. Historically, we were able to contribute about $100,000 annually to in-situ conservation projects worldwide. With the funds from the sale, we are ramping up to donate a million dollars annually. Through August of 2025 we have donated $130,000 to conservation efforts for 2025 and plan to triple that by year end. Through careful investment of our reserves, we hope to grow that to a million dollars per year in conservation funding. With careful portfolio management and an economy similar to our past 30 years, we could do that indefinitely just from the return on investments. In part that depends on whether our past supporters share our passion for keeping the wild cats from going extinct and continue to donate. With investment earnings covering our modest overhead, 100% of donated funds will go directly to the projects.

2025 has been a year of really getting to know our Conservation Partners and having them put together future plans for expansion. In the past, our modest funding was limited due to the expense of running a sanctuary, so most of them only could count on us for $2500 - $10,000 per Working Group. Now that we can 10X that support they are thinking more broadly about how to scale up their operations, while still running lean and effectively. Our goal is to adopt several of the Working Groups and fund their entire budgets, so they can focus on doing the wild cat saving work, rather than having to fundraise all the time. The sale of the sanctuary grounds made this possible.

The Land’s Best Use

A few people have asked why the property wasn't preserved as a park or left wild. The land is surrounded by urban sprawl and could not be a meaningful wildlife habitat because it is too small and lacks corridors for animal movement to other open land. This was the last large parcel close to downtown Tampa, so it means that everyone who lives here will not be having to drive further out into Florida’s unspoiled areas. But the larger reason is that at a time when most of the species of wild cats are under imminent threat, with some trending toward extinction, using the proceeds of selling the land to fund projects that can reduce the threats and avoid extinction is clearly the best use of the value of this property.

Continuing the Fight

While we’ve said goodbye to the sanctuary grounds, Big Cat Rescue remains steadfast in its mission. Our focus has shifted to funding and vetting global conservation initiatives that address the dire threats facing wild cats, including habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The remaining Big Cat Rescue board and staff are committed to this fight, ensuring that the legacy of our sanctuary lives on through impactful conservation work.

A Win-Win for the Animals

This transition represents a win-win for all. Our former sanctuary residents now thrive in more expansive enclosures, while the funds from the sale enable us to make a greater difference for wild cats worldwide. It’s an emotional shift after three decades on the land, but the overarching feeling is one of satisfaction and hope for the future.

To our supporters, thank you for standing with us as we continue to fight for a world where wild cats live free and protected in their natural habitats. Together, we are ensuring a brighter future for these magnificent animals.