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ABOUT US



Our Mission





Sanctuary



To provide SAFE HAVEN for any species of wild cat finding itself in need.



Education



To provide EDUCATION related to wild cats.



Conservation



To monitor and assist in wild cat CONSERVATION efforts worldwide.



Wild Felid Advocacy CenteR



The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington is a 501(c)3 non-profit sanctuary for displaced wild felids. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. We are licensed and inspected regularly by the US Department of Agriculture under its Animal Welfare Act.


We receive no State or Federal funding and rely on the kind donations of the public and businesses who value our mission. Our operating budget is roughly $75,000.00 per year.



the Cats



Our animals come to us from a variety of situations. Some cats come from dire negligent circumstances, exploitative situations, or as an alternative to euthanasia. Others come from homes where they were well cared for, but could not stay due to legislation or the death/illness of the caretaker. The cats also come from rehabilitation facilities where they were not able to return to the wild, and zoological facilities. We are proud to be a haven for wild cats from all origins.


We are a safe haven for approximately 50 wild cats, ranging from 6 – 24 years, including Cougars, Bobcats, Servals, Tigers, Canada and Eurasian Lynx, Domestic/Wild Hybrids, a Caracal, Geoffroy's Cat, Jungle Cat, Snow Leopard, African Leopard, and the only true Gordon's Cats in the United States.



Sanctuary



Providing a safe haven for displaced wild cats and their hybrids is the Wild Felid Advocacy Center's primary function. As a forever home to each cat placed in our care, we take the responsibility seriously to give them the best chance at living a healthy, peaceful, comfortable, and enjoyable life. To meet their needs, we build natural and spacious habitats, provide proper diets and medical care, deploy an extensive enrichment program. and limit the length of time/number of guests the cats are exposed to.


At the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington, it is all about the cats.



Education



The Wild Felid Advocacy Center is home to 13 species of wild cats, with origins from five of world's continents (Antarctica has no native felids). When visiting WFAC, a knowledgeable guide takes you around to see and learn about these species, first hand. Although book and computer learning are efficient at teaching the facts about these unique animals, meeting them forever changes your perspective.



Conservation



The Wild Felid Advocacy Center reconnects people with wildlife by introducing visitors to rare, threatened, and endangered species, as well as local species—up close and personal. People are more inspired to protect a species after meeting them and learning, first hand, of their inherent value. We are grateful for the opportunity to inspire the conservation of all wild felids, and all wild species, both locally and worldwide.


For local conservation, we provide a home to Red Eared Sliders (a turtle species invasive to Washington and other western states) so they are not illegally released into local waters.


We are a certified member of the Department of Fish & Wildlife's "Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program". a program to offset local habitat loss.


Every year, we keep over 30,000 pounds of meat from going to landfills, and we up-cycle materials like fire-hose, lumber, fencing, empty kegs, etc., keeping tons more out of landfills and the environment.


Landscaping choices are made to encourage healthy bee populations, and to support a diverse, natural ecosystem ranging from rare newts and owls to common ravens and coyotes.


For international conservation, we support effective organizations and projects with low administrative costs. Lumens for Lions, the Scottish Wildcat Foundation, Fishing Cat Conservation, and International Society for Endangered Cats are a few examples. Individually, Board Members also contribute to Panthera, the Snow Leopard Trust, and World Wildlife Fund.


Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary
ISEC Canada

3111 E Harstine Island Rd N
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427 - 4466*
*Phone calls are answered by a voicemail messaging system. and are generally returned within two days.
EIN # 38-3771133


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