What would it take to start an exotic animal refuge?

[AlienGirl]

What would it take to start a refuge for rescued exotic animals? I suddenly landed on this as my newest pipe dream, and would like to see if there's any way at all I could ever do it.

Tucker

[Robeson]

1. Here are several sites for you to visit and research....

...they are refuges for exotic cats, and they would welcome your help or inquiries, and will answer questions you may have regarding exotic animals. Please check them out and contact them if you have questions or need advice...


http://www.li-feline.com/

http://www.wildaboutcats.org/

http://www.hdw-inc.com/

http://www.panther.state.fl.us/

[blindpig]

2. what have you got in mind?

cats? hoofed stock? a general menagerie?

Money is the first requisite: critters are a money hole. Land, facilities, groceries, lawyers, veterinarians, it's endless.

Location can be tricky. There's a growing trend of cities and counties of forbidding residents from keeping any animal that could be construed in any way as dangerous to humans. The Humane Society is behind much of this, the county tried to outlaw much of my reptile collection along with much anything else not found at Petco a few years back but we beat them back at a series of town hall meetings.

Having a vet who is competent with your stock and who won't break the bank is indispensable.

Working with wild animals is one of the most gratifying things I can think of. Breeding them is the best. I was an animal keeper at a municipal zoo back in the day and I still miss it. I wish you luck if you take on what I consider a sacred endeavor.

[AlienGirl]

6. I was thinking of a mix...

Probably medium cats, fennecs/other foxes, birds, and rodents. If I had a large enough space (many fenced acres) some deer--possibly unreleasable white-tails from local rehabbers. I was imagining a place for animals retired from showbiz and exotic pets whose owners couldn't keep them anymore, and maybe also rehabbed wild animals who were unreleasable due to imprinting or disability.

The money is the real problem though... *sigh*. (Isn't it always?) In my state, the laws are pretty relaxed about exotic animals in unincorporated land--townships and cities have their own rules, but last time I checked it was easy to get approved to keep anything up to large cats. (One pet store I used to visit regularly had ads for tiger cubs, $1500 for a male and $2000 for a female.)

I don't suppose there are any grants or anything I could apply for? I'd have to buy the land and set up a contract with a vet.

Tucker

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Lots of insurance.

[Lorien]

4. You could learn about it by interning here:

www.bigcatrescue.org

[Princess Turandot]

5. I don't really know this guy although an animal group I sometimes help..

orders t-shirts from him.

http://www.socialtees.com/

Click on animal rescue on the left. His name is Robert, I think.
He rescues anything, but specializes in snakes. He does this in Manhattan. I haven't seen the snakes which are in the basement of the building where he takes the t-shirt orders, but I saw a 4 foot high stunning Macaw that he had acquired from a very elderly woman going inot a nursing home. He does dogs, cats, lizards, birds. If he can manage this in NYC, maybe he can give you some pointers. He is very pleasant but a little distracted so if you email or call him and he doesn't reply quickly, I'd just follow up.

[auburngrad82]

7. You might be able to talk to these people

http://www.trianglemetrozoo.com/default.asp

The founders have been keeping exotic animals for many years and just started this local zoo in the last 5 years or so. They may be able to give you some advice or tips on getting started.

[serryjw]

8. Did you notice this link?

My guess is they could guide you....I wish you and your future creatures years of happiness

[Dervill Crow]

9. Try Wolf Haven (near Tenino) and a cat place near Spokane.

I don't remember the name of the big cat place, but they rescue big cats that were born in captivity and can't be kept as pets. You can probably get info from them about how they got started.

Good luck!