THE BIG CATS IN BOYD, TEXAS……I have a number of lions, tigers, panthers, cougars, cheetahs, bobcats, servals and bears in Texas, and I visit them every time we travel there. They are not actually mine, but it’s the closest I’ll ever get to owning a lion. It’s probably a real good thing that I will never own a lion because my own herd of rescue cats pretty much run the show around our house.
On a trip to visit my daughter in Ft. Worth three years ago, I discovered the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary. It is not a zoo or a place where the cats do tricks. It’s a serious and sincere effort by many dedicated people to preserve and take care of big cats and bears who have been abused or neglected.
It is beyond impressive. These animals have been kept in apartments, crates and small circuses. The stories break your heart. The staff, interns and volunteers who care for these exotic creatures work tirelessly to give them the quality of life they deserve.
Most of these animals are not young. They had tragic lives before they were brought to IEAF and most are malnourished.
Vince and I visited them last week. On the hour plus walking tour of the Sanctuary, the guide explains how each animal came to IEAS. Each has a story, and one is sadder than the next.

The caretakers are particularly sensitive to the cats’ moods, what kind of day they are having and other important facets of their personalities.Last week, a male cheetah was having a rough day. He was depressed because he missed his sister who died recently. They did not want to agitate him more, so we were not allowed to see him. A gorgeous male lion, Ron, was upset because a caretaker drove past him in her golf car and forgot to stop and say hello. This is a daily tradition, and this particular caretaker just forgot. We were asked not to stay at his enclosure very long. We learned there is not much that upsets a 700-pound male lion more than an elusive golf cart.

Zippy, the hurricane tiger, is observing Melanie.

ZIPPY, HURRICANE IKE, NASCAR, AND TONY STEWART -Zippy is one of my favorite stories. “Zippy,” an eight-year-old year old Bengal tiger, was rescued during Hurricane Ike last year. Some moron kept Zippy in a garage near Galveston. When the hurricane hit, Zippy’s heartless owner abandoned him. Zippy, much to Zippy’s credit, escaped. Thankful to be free, he took refuge in a church. After a quick confession, he was captured and brought to IEAS. NASCAR driver Tony Steward was touched by the story. He had an enclosure built for him, and Zippy will always be cared for at IEAS. He was named after Stewart’s Crew Chief Greg Zipadelli. I don’t know much about NASCAR, but I am now a Tony Stewart fan.
A few others of my favorites:
TAJ – A male Siberian tiger is also known as “Elvis.” While hanging on a tire with his teeth, he lost one of his canines. When he growls, he has the Elvis look with the raised lip. As if on cue, Taj did his Elvis impersonation.
TASSERS – This very old bobcat, 21 years, is never in a very good mood. He has arthritis and doesn’t move well. He let us know he didn’t want us there.

Guaranteed to be in a bad mood,

Tassers invites us to leave his enclosure.


As cute and cuddly as these guys are, they are wild animals. No one, except an animal behavior expert, ever enters their enclosure…and that’s ONLY when they are having a good day.
As much as I’d love to have a lion, I know the lion would rule the roost. The 13 pounds of food a day would be a problem. That would be 39 cans of Nine Lives.

It’s a wonderful place. Don’t miss it when you are in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. The best anyone can do for these wonderful animals is to visit and support them.
http://www.bigcat.org/