When did Big Cats ofSerenity Springs first open?
We opened in 1993.
Are you licensed?
We are state and federally licensed just like zoos, but without the funding.
Where do you get your cats?
Our cats come from all over the country. The reasons are as varied as the cats. Only about 10% of cats come from abuse situations.
How long do they live?
Lions and tigers can live 20-25 years in captivity. Cougars and Leopards can live 15-20 years.
Do you ever sell or get rid of your cats?
No. All cats that come to the ranch will live out their lives out here.
Do you ever breed your cats?
Not on purpose. However, accidents do happen and we do have cats that were born here.
How old are the cats when they start to spray?
3 years, when they are sexually mature
Do both males and females spray?
Yes
How much do the cats eat?
800 lbs per day
How often do you feed them?
The cats get fed once a day. We do have fast days, which occur on a rotating schedule. In the summer they will fast twice a week, generally Tuesday and Saturday. In the winter we fast only one day a week unless the temperature drops below 0 for 24 hours.
What do they eat?
Their staple diet is a beef/horsemeat grind. They also get poultry, fresh game, and straight fresh horsemeat.
What does it cost to feed them?
The cost to maintain the facility is $14,000 a month when nothing goes wrong.
How much do the cats weigh?
Tigers-250-900 lbs
Lions-300-450
Cougars-70-150
Leopards-70-110
What is a Liger?
A liger is the result of breeding a male lion and a female tiger. This only happens in captivity, as lions and tigers live in very different habitats in the wild and will not inter-breed.
What is a Tigon?
A tigon is the result of breeding a male tiger with a female lion. There are no tigons at the ranch at this time.
What about those “When animals attack” videos?
While it does happen, 90% of those videos are staged for the cameras. We have received calls from producers of these shows asking to use our cats. We have always and will always refuse such offers.
Would your cats attack?
We would never put our cats in a situation that would force them to attack. They are wild animals and could never be referred to as “tame” but, if you give them the respect they deserve, they will respect you. They could, however, love you to death.
What can I do to help?
Big Cats of Serenity Springs is a non-profit organization and donations are always gratefully accepted. We accept cash, checks, and credit card donations through Paypal online. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
If you live in Colorado, we have a number of volunteer orientations throughout the year for those who would like to help with the up keep of the ranch. Please note that, for the safety of the cats (as well as the humans), volunteers are never in an enclosure at the same time as the cats.
Whether you donate time, money, or materials, please know that YOU do make a difference!
Have a question that's not answered here? Click on the e-mail link below and send me your question. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
