At The Big Cat Sanctuary, protecting wild cats is more than a mission, it’s our purpose.
For over 25 years, we’ve been committed to safeguarding these incredible animals through every aspect of our work. Guided by five core pillars, our efforts are focused, impactful, and deeply rooted in compassion.
Every cat in our care deserves the very best. At The Big Cat Sanctuary, our experienced animal care team works around the clock to ensure each resident thrives. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. From expansive enclosures designed to replicate natural habitats to daily enrichment activities that encourage instinctive behaviours like stalking, climbing, and play, we put their wellbeing first. Each cat also benefits from personalised care plans and specialised veterinary attention, including routine health checks, advanced diagnostics, and geriatric care when needed.
Our philosophy is simple: a lifetime of respect, comfort, and dignity for every cat that calls the Sanctuary home.
We are proud to contribute to the global fight against extinction through our participation in the European Endangered Breeding Programme. These scientifically coordinated efforts focus on maintaining genetically diverse and healthy populations of threatened species, many of which face severe decline in the wild. By working alongside international zoological and conservation partners, we help ensure that future generations can experience the wonder of wild cats, not just in sanctuaries, but in their natural habitats.
Every birth at the Sanctuary is a step toward securing the future of endangered species like the Amur leopard, Sumatran tiger, and snow leopard.
Knowledge leads to action and action leads to change. Our education initiatives aim to spark curiosity, foster empathy, and inspire lasting commitment to conservation. We welcome thousands of visitors each year, offering immersive tours, interactive experiences, and tailored learning programmes that bring people closer to wildlife. From early years learning to lifelong advocacy, we empower individuals of all ages to understand the challenges wild cats face and how they can make a difference.
Whether it’s a child discovering their first big cat or an adult reconnecting with nature, we believe every educational moment is a chance to change the world.
Protecting wild cats means protecting the ecosystems they depend on. We actively support in-situ conservation efforts across the globe, partnering with organisations working on the ground to safeguard habitats, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and engage local communities in sustainable solutions. From the grasslands of Africa to the forests of Asia and the Americas, our funding, expertise, and advocacy help preserve vital landscapes and biodiversity. The Sanctuary donates to a variety of conservation and welfare organisations including the Cheetah Conservation Fund, The World Forest Organisation and the Snow Leopard Trust.
Because without safe, wild spaces, there can be no wild cats.
Too many wild cats suffer at the hands of exploitation, neglect, or illegal ownership. At The Big Cat Sanctuary, we are a place of refuge, a safe haven for those in urgent need. Our rescue work ranges from complex international relocations such as our Ukrainian Big Cats in Crisis Campaign to emergency interventions closer to home like our small cat rescue from Cats Survival Trust. Once they arrive, rescued cats receive immediate veterinary care and a secure lifelong home where they are never exploited again.
Every rescue is a promise that from now on, they will know only kindness, safety, and peace.