Exotic Animals as pets can find Sanctuary

The world is slipping by right before our eyes with natural and man-made disasters. Disasters like the oil spill in the Gulf and recently the Japan earthquake, tsunami, leakage at the nuclear power plant. These disasters have affected not only human beings a number of animal species. Many people and organizations make a difference in the lives of many animal species by taking responsibility for our actions. These people provide a sanctuary and/or retreats throughout the United States. These sanctuaries or retreats provides a safe haven for many abuse, abandon, retired and injured exotic animals, farm animals and domestic animals.

A few years ago at a county fair, I was introduced to the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary which is located in Sarasota, Florida. I became interested in helping theses exotic felines through monetary donations. I felt like I could help more if I could find a place located in the Midwest that provided big cats and other animals a place that they could live their lives to the fullest. Fortunately, after searching the Internet I was able to find a place close to home. It was located in Southern Wisconsin. There was another sanctuary located in southern Indiana.

The Valley of The Kings is a sanctuary and retreat that is located in Sharon, Wisconsin.  The sanctuary is located on a private farm that is the home to more than 50 large cats. The large felines include;  Bangle Tigers, lions, Lynx, Mountain Lions(cougars), white tigers, leopards, and many other species of animals. The sanctuary also provides veterinary care, shelter, and contact with humans in a positive way to all the animals that had been abused. These species range from ducks; barn cats, Canadian geese, mules.llamas, ponies, horses, foxes, peacocks,, wolves, black bears,and cross breed wolves.  You may ask what is meant by term cross breed wolves; it is when a wolf from the wild is mated with a domesticated dog or pet an Irish setter, black Labrador, German Sheppard or golden retriever are the most common. These combinations of mix breeds are actually very dangerous and usually abused by their owners.

The Valley of the Kings take pride in what they have accomplished for the sanctuary. They continually are raising funds through memberships and local fundraising events. The biggest fundraiser events include many motorcycle riders that raise money to help feed these cats a proper diet of turkey or whole chickens. The money also helps in building or constructing areas for the big cats so they have plenty of room.Sometimes, local farmers and other patrons can leave deer or calf meat out in the front of the large steel gate on wooden planks. This meat has to be fresh and carry no diseases for the big cats to feast at meal time. There other ways that the sanctuary raises funds to help in maintaining the farm. They provide a place where old cell phones can be dropped of and the sanctuary receives funding, bringing in aluminum cans to recycle also known as "Cans for Cats" drive and using coupons from local business'. The Valley of the Kings have a small gift shop on the grounds that sells calendars with photos of the Big Cats on the farm along with t-shirts.

The Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat doesn't receive any help from federal or state revenue. So all the money that is acquired through fundraising helps feed and care for all the animals 365 days a year.

The staff and volunteers do tours of the sanctuary on weekends to provide public schools, other special groups and new members a education about animal abuse and awareness of exotic animals.  They provide instructional videos and other educational material  for those that would like more information.  Since, the sanctuary is privately owned and on a large farm there are set visiting hours for members, volunteers and prearrange tours.  If anyone is interested of volunteering for such a great cause and to help abused animals, and save the big cats;"King of the Jungle" by visiting their website http://wwwvotk.org.

My family joined the Valley of the King membership and found the drive to be pleasant as we drove along Wisconsin's country roads to get to the sanctuary. On weekend visits we were able to bring fresh chicken legs to feed the big Cats as a tasty treat. We also brought fresh apples and carrots to feed the many ponies, horses, and llama. We found each visit a learning experience and very rewarding in helping the big cats.  A famous motto is "Help those that can't help themselves"