Big Cat Rescue does an excellent job rescuing and giving big cats a dignified healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately so many times they need rescuing because bed people have purchased them as "pets" and then learn they're large wild cats. Even worse there are those horrible people who use them for their personal profit. I cannot understand how anyone could be critical of these humane life savers.

I find it incredulous at times the flak good people receive for being GOOD. I cannot compare to BCR but I ,too, have had less than pleasant comments for my modest endeavors for enlightening others of the plight of animals everywhere!. I have visited BCR several times and it really is a marvelous place with healthy cats. And yes I REALLY hope that one day there will be no need for BCR and other places similar. Let us also hope Tony the Tiger moves in soon!

My husband and I have visited BCR several times. We always find the enclosures immaculately clean, the animals have enrichment toys to keep them active, they all look healthy and well cared for. Not only are they well cared for, it is obvious that BCR loves each animal as an individual. Very impressive is the feeding process which enables them to medicate the animals that need medication, invidually with concern of other animals getting into the medicated food. Holdiays are all celebrated with the animals in very crative ways. If the animals could talk, they would give their living arrangements as a 5 STAR animal SPA !! Thank you BCR for taking such good care of these beautiful creatures of God !!!

To clarify feeding process - each cat has been trained to go into it's own feeding cage at feeding time. A door is automatically closed so no other animal can get to the food. This enables meds to be put in that particular animal's food. It also enables the staff to go in and clean out the enclosures while the cat is happily chomping away on it's food. Thus - no worry about another animal taking another cat's food away. Dinner time is a happy time at BCR !

BCR is absolutely amazing! They take in an y animal that is abused or run over look at Skip who was hit by a car. they not only replaced his hips but they gave him a home to live out his life because he can no longer eat a diet that is from the wild. he has three beds. they even gave him his bed that he had been sleeping on for almost 2 months so that the transition was alot easier. If not for BCR these animals would have either died or worse .

I have been to BCR a handful of times and have taken family from out of state with me. Everyone loves the tour, and enjoys contributing the BCR's care of the cats. BCR tries very hard to educate the public as well- which is necessary as most folks do not realize the enormous amount of false information put out there by breeders about exotic pets and/or the road side shows that claim to be helping "save" big cats by charging the public to pet and take pictures with abused animals. When these people run onto hard times, become ill, get tired of keeping up the expenses, it is BCR who comes to the rescue to save the cats from being killed or left to die. I am grateful for their dedication and so happy to have found a great sanctuary to visit often and support.

Big Cat Rescue is simply the best! The care and support the animals receive is of the finest quality. They are a non-profit organization and they put the care of their animals first!

BCR is indeed a great light in an often dark and hopeless world. I have been so astounded by the excellent level of care the staff and volunteers give the animals. Moreover, the dedication and absolute love for the cats is palpable. BCR restores my faith in humankind.

I have been travelling to Florida for the last 10 years and have never visited BCR until last year. I wished I had found them sooner. Their knowledge was astounding and the care they give the animals is second to none. Anyone who says differently needs their head examined. This is not an ideal situation for the animals, ideal would be living free in the wild but because some stupid humans get these animals and then discover they can't look after them, then the animals end up at BCR. BCRmight not be wild and free but it's as near as paradise for these animals compared to their previous life with some idiotic humans.

I have done a TON of research and have a friend that used to work for the SS and he helped me find out of the BCR was on the up and up. We are all very impressed by the work done there. As a matter of fact, the Big Cat Rescue is the whole reason my daughter is going to college in Tampa. she wants to volunteer there and help them raise money, ect. She wants to work with breeding and conservation of endangered big cats at a zoo when she graduates college and the BCR was recommended to us for a good place for her to volunteer. I love what they do there and I am praying Tony the Tiger gets a chance to live out his days there. Keep up the good work and I look forward to meeting everyone at the BCR when we move there. Oh yeah, my whole family is moving to the Tampa area so that my daughter has these opportunities!!!

Yes Mr. Joe not so Exotic you have been to BCR and have distorted and lied about the animals there.
I have seen your distortions:

You took close up pictures of cats but did not show full enclosures, which are large and designed as closely to natural habitats as possible. I've seen the results of your lies, distortions and dirty work.

For example:

1 - Cat sitting in small cage with water dish ... This is a feeding cage. Every animal has it's own cage to go to when food is distributed. . Animals are given necessary medications and carefully observed while in these cages. It is at this time that keepers clean out the enclosures. You tried to make the reader believe this was how the animal lived! Bold faced lie.

2 - Ferals running around - so untrue. Domestic cats are all cared for and greet the visitors with friendly meows. The cat you showed had a beautiful full coat, looked healthy and was obviously well fed.

3 - Dead Xmas trees. Dfferent organizations/stores donate unsold Christmas trees - which add variety to enclosures. The trees bring new smells for the animals and offer something new to investigate.

4 -There is a distorted picture of a tiger lying by the side of an enclosure, indicating a small space, but if you look closely, you see green grass in the background and a pond. This is a round" enclosure one acre in size.

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5 - Black cat on rock - this is where the animal goes to sun himself - entire rest of enclosure conveniently cut out. There are trees to climb, grass to roll in and a den to hide in.

6 - You portray huts/dens as small caves where animals huddle. These are usually in the middle of an enclosure and true to natural habitats of exotic cats . Once again eliminating the complete enclosure.

7 - You show tiger lying on it's back, all four legs in the air / belly exposed. You try to portray as a sick animal. Evidently you do not understand cats, wild or domestic only take this position if secure and content. Obviously this tiger is full of trust and totally comfortable in its surroundings.

8 - Three legged Serval was rescued from the side of the road in AZ. You try to make the reader believe this happened to the Serval while it was at BCR - bold faced lie!

You claim BCR only houses bobcats, tigers and servals. I suggest you get a book on Exotic animals because there are Lions, Panthers, Leopards etc at the sanctuary. Evidently you don't know the difference.

You apparently are a jealous, vindictive person who has nothing better to do, than lie / distort facts and pictures in an attempt to discredit a fully accredited sanctuary that is know world wide for it's outstanding reputation. Your ignorance shows in many ways Mr. Not so Exotic . It might do you well to take a course in spelling / grammar along with ethical reporting of facts.

The above comments were written in reply to postings by an individual who constantly harasses Big Cat Rescue. Obviously, WestchasePatch has deleted his comments. Thank you WestchasePatch for not tolerating this type of negative, deceptive and irrational posting.

Anthony Marr is a well known animal advocate around the world. He travels all over and his knowledge of Tigers, habitats and sanctuaries is indisputable. Note a recent posting:

Anthony Marr: Big Cat Rescue in Tampa has offered a place for Tony. I've been there twice, and rank it among the top 3 of all the wildlife sanctuaries I've seen over the years, which number at least 2 dozen in as many states.

Joe not so Exotic - all I can say is you are a nut case who is driven by jealousy and hatred. I've visited the sanctuary many times and know first hand all about BCR. Anyone who would go so far as to ride a helicopter to try to discredit a sanctuary such as BCR has got serious problems. She did not get busted for abusing rabits, never shocked the snow lepoard, it died of old age. Since I have seen your distortions and lies, I realize you will stoop to any level to spread your venom. You are a very sick person.

Big Cat Rescue provides permanent homes to neglected, abused and abandoned cats as well as retired performers. These cats live in spacious, natural, well-maintained habitats and are provided with medical care, a proper diet, enrichment, and the respect they deserve. The staff is truly dedicated to the cats and their well-being; they strive to give them the best homes possible in captivity. Big Cat Rescue of Tampa Florida is also an educational sanctuary that informs the public about the serious issues of private ownership of big cats and fights for better laws to protect them. Having visited Big Cat Rescue and spending 3 days there, I was very impressed by not only the commitment of the staff to the cats but the well-organized and professionally run operation of the sanctuary. Big Cat Rescue’s priority is the welfare of their cats.

I live in Florida and am more than familiar with BCR and all the awards they have received. Your level of intelligence shows in your postings.

As previously commented, I live in Florida and walk BCR frequently. Therefore I know fact vs fiction. Your lies and deceit are very obvious. When you post comments under an alias, you might want to check your spelling / gammar and content. You are way too obvious. Actually you are very pathetic.

Not worth wasting any more time or energy on people like you ........again - you are a pathetic bunch of
vindictive, jealous, deceitful people. But you already know that about yourselves.