Our tigers came from a sanctuary that went bankrupt in 2010. If the tigers were not relocated by September 30, 2011 they were to be euthanized. Finding a home for them was more of a challenge than we expected.

There are 58 organizations listed as sanctuaries for tigers in the United States. We researched and/or visited many of them.

Two things became clear:

1. There is no restriction on the use of the word sanctuary in an organization's name, so any breeder, exhibitor, dealer or roadside zoo can set up a company, acquire tax exempt status, and advertise and solicit donations as a tiger sanctuary. The word alone means nothing to the tigers, their living conditions, their life span or their ultimate end.

2. There are, however, true sanctuaries (two of them we already work with and who care for our cats) with dedicated, knowledgeable people doing exceptional work. These sanctuaries have land, infrastructure, procedures and people in place and could accept more tigers, but are unable to because of the additional financial burden of food, medical care and additional enclosures. It costs at least $5000 per year to feed a tiger. Currently these sanctuaries turn away 100 tigers each year, which is effectively a death sentence for every tiger they have to refuse.

The purpose of our organization is to raise money for these and other true sanctuaries so they can feed and provide homes for these unwanted tigers.

It will also allow us to respond in emergency rescue situations when tigers are abandoned or facilities are shut down by government agencies and the tigers have to be relocated in a matter of weeks.

You can make a difference.

To adopt a tiger select one of the following sanctuary tigers.

You will change the life of the tiger you help.

And if you visit your tiger, he or she may change your life.

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