Care & Feeding for a Rescued Tiger

Help lifetime sanctuaries care for tigers rescued from the pet trade.

Experts estimate that there are as many as 5,000 tigers kept in captivity across the United States. Most of these are not in zoos. They are in backyards, houses, and kennels, often with inadequate care and space. This is completely inappropriate for a wild animal that, in its natural state, covers a home territory of seven to thirty miles.

Tigers are intelligent 600-pound carnivores. They eat 60 pounds of meat each week, and require considerable space to move around, proper veterinary care, and enrichment activities. As a result of the out-of-control pet trade, most legitimate sanctuaries are nearing or at capacity for big cats, and many lack financial reserves. Worse, an increasing number of captive tigers are being offered for sale on the black market, driving a demand for tiger parts that encourages poachers to target their wild and endangered kin.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare has committed to rescuing big cats from dangerous or cruel captive situations, and moving them into qualified lifetime sanctuaries. Because so many sanctuaries are at capacity, IFAW is identifying the best ones and helping them increase the number of big cats they can handle. These tigers deserve a better life - they are wild animals, not pets.

You can help. Just $25 provides one day of food and care for a rescued tiger in a lifetime sanctuary.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people.