Thousands of rescued tigers, lions, and other big cats require lifelong sanctuary care after rescue from exploitative situations. Understanding what good sanctuary welfare looks like matters.
The proliferation of captive big cats in private ownership and exploitative commercial operations has created enormous demand for sanctuary places. Genuine accredited sanctuaries provide lifetime care with no breeding, no public handling contact, and no commercial exploitation of the animals. The welfare challenges are substantial: animals with histories of trauma, social deprivation, and unsuitable nutrition require patient rehabilitation to reach a level of welfare that reflects their quality of life. Distinguishing legitimate sanctuaries from pseudo-sanctuaries exploiting the sanctuary label for commercial purposes requires attention to accreditation status and adherence to no-contact standards.