there are more tigers in captivity in the United States than there are in the wild

We rescue captive big cats, like lions, tigers, and cougars – animals who are at risk. And we’re working to ban the private ownership of big cats in the united states.

Problem

In the United States, there are as many as 10,000 big cats in captivity.

These animals are at risk of abuse and often live in terrible conditions: in private hands, in menageries masquerading as rescue sanctuaries, and at unqualified roadside zoos operating with little oversight or accountability.

When these big cats are surrendered or confiscated, rescue operations kick into gear and transfer the cats to qualified sanctuaries. But, for too long, many sanctuaries had to turn these cats away.

Solution

Working alone, sanctuaries didn’t have enough resources to rescue all the cats in need. But working together, they’re able to do more.

So, we established a network. In 2017, legitimate sanctuaries—those that don’t buy, breed, sell, exploit or trade animals—formed the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance.

Now, when cats are surrendered to sanctuaries that can’t place them, the sanctuaries contact each other or IFAW’s hotline—and the cats have homes within hours.

Impact