1 person found this review helpful
CENTER FOR ANIMAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INC
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January 18, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
C.A.R.E. IS THE MOST LIFE-CHANGING, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH WHICH I HAVE EVER DEALT. MY FIRST VISIT IN 2001 WAS THE MOST WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. IN FACT, MY MOM HAD DIED JUST 8 MONTHS PRIOR TO MY VISIT AND I WAS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE DEPRESSION. BUT THAT CHANGED AFTER I GOT THERE--ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT WAS HOW MUCH SHE WOULD HAVE ENJOYED SEEING ME DO THIS, AND HOW MUCH SHE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE DONE IT HERSELF. DURING THAT FIRST VISIT I WAS ABLE TO INTERACT WITH EVERYTHING FROM PRE-MATURE BORN WHITE TIGER CUBS THAT WEIGNED ABOUT 4 OUNCES TO A 600 LB TIGER. AS A VOLUNTEER, I HELD, FED AND BASICALLY ACTED AS A "MOM" TO A BABY COUGAR, A LION CUB AND SEVEN WHITE AND ORANGE TIGER CUBS. I ALSO WAS ABLE TO INTERACT WITH 57 OTHER MAJESTIC BIG CATS INCLUDING: TWO EXTREMELY RARE SNOW LEOPARDS, BLACK AND SPOTTED LEOPARDS, WHITE AND ORANGE TIGERS, COUGARS AND LIONS. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THEY GOT UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH SO MANY WONDERFUL "WILD" ANIMALS. I CAME AWAY FROM THAT WEEK-LONG VISIT COMPLETELY HOOKED AND HAVE TRIED TO VISIT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR SINCE THEN. AND, I TRULY BELIEVE SOME OF THESE ENORMOUS CATS REMEMBER ME AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS. MY ONLY WISH IS THAT I WERE CLOSER SO I COULD HELP OUT MORE AND VISIT MORE OFTEN. LEAVING IS VERY HARD AND I CRY MOST OF THE WAY BACK TO LONG ISLAND, NY. HEIDI, DERRICK AND THE KIDS HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO THESE CATS. HEIDI, ESPECIALLY, KNOWS EACH ONE OF THEM INTIMATELY. AND YES, THEY EACH HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY. THEY EXTEND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO PEOPLE WHO INTERACT WITH THEM. THERE IS NO WAY A COMPASSIONATE, FEELING PERSON COULD LEAVE C.A.R.E. WITHOUT BEING DEEPLY CHANGED BY THE EXPERIENCE. DUE TO BEING 100% VOLUNTEER AND DONATION RUN, C.A.R.E. DESERVES ALL THE HELP IT CAN GET TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THESE ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND UNWANTED CATS A SAFE, CLEAN, AND NON-STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT TO LIVE OUT THEIR LIVED. C.A.R.E. PROVIDES THIS TO THE ANIMALS AND MUCH MORE TO THEIR HUMAN CARETAKERS!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING MADE DAILY BY PROVIDING BETTER HOUSING AND LIVING CONDITIONS FOR EACH CAT. MEDICAL CARE IS ALWAYS IMPROVING. BEING ABLE TO HAVE INTERNS THAT LIVE ON THE PREMISES IS ALSO A BIG HELP.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
OH MOVE IT CLOSER TO ME! :) NOTHING-IT IS ONE OF THE CLEANEST MOST EFFICIENTLY RUN ORGANIZATIONS I HAVE EVER SEEN. AND, ALL THE MONETARY DONATIONS GO RIGHT TO THE CARE OF THE CATS.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO HAVE HOUSING FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VOLUNTEERS ON THE PROPERTY. THAT WAY ALL COULD EXPERIENCE HEARING THE ROAR OF THE LIONS IN THE MORNING AND EVENING WHICH IS GREAT. AND, VOLUNTEERS WOULD BE CLOSER IN CASE HELP WAS NEEDED AT THE CENTER
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
OH, MY GOSH, YES!! IT CHANGED MY LIFE AND OPENED MY EYES TO THE LIVES OF THESE WONDERFUL CATS. I ALSO LEARNED MUCH ABOUT THE CARE OF BIG CATS INCLUDING THEIR FEEDING, MATING AND DAILY LIVING HABITS. AND I MADE FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND SOME FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHO I STILL KEEP IN TOUCH WITH.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! ALL MY FRIENDS SAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ME SMILE SO MUCH AS WHEN I'M WITH THE BIG CATS. I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR THEM. AND LOSING ONE OF THEM IS LIKE LOSING A MEMBER OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY.
1 person found this review helpful
September 2, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
A wonderful facility working to give as meaningful a life as possible to a variety of large cats that will never know what it is like to live in the wild. They get donations from the public and help from volunteers and interns. They are always in need of more donations because every dollar coming is directed towards immediate needs.
Whether you believe that humans are the dominating species on this planet because of natural selection or divine intervention matters not to me. But because we are I believe we owe the rest of the species on the planet respect. And when we choose to alter an animals life and use them as we do, at that point that animals life is now in our hands. And once that life is now in our hands because of our choice, we owe that animal as long and as healthy a life as possible. We owe them that.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The healthy lives of the big cats that live there.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Try to get some governmental help with funding.
1 person found this review helpful
September 2, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I was an intern at CARE in the Summer of 2008 and am now back to help out 3 years later because I fell completely in love with the facility my first time here. The amount of love and compassion the CAREgivers of this facility give their animals is incredible. They truly only have the best interests of their animals in mind. This place is extremely unique and anyone who comes to visit will be hooked after their experience. The only thing that could be improved would be increasing public exposure. Being over an hour away from the DFW area really hurts them as far as funding goes.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
how amazing their education program and their ability to make it such a unique place to be.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find a way to bring as much water as necessary as well as shade for the brutal Texas heat.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
outside air-conditioning :)
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Learning many new things about cats and their environments as well as how the volunteer/non-profit organizations work and how much work it is!!!
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
very special.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
September 2, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
They do GREAT work at CARE. They offer so much education about big cats that everyone can participate in. I have been to many facilities with big cats and this is the best that I have ever seen. It is such a shame that animal facilities such as this must struggle to make great things happen. Good luck to everyone involved with CARE!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
By watching it grow for the past 20 years.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Donate a 20 million dollars so they could have all that they deserve.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
How did you learn about this organization?
Heidi is my sister and I love the work that she does.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
September 2, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
CARE is an amazing facility that gives big cats a home that is different than anywhere else I have seen. The love and care is top notch. The people are pleasant and the animals seem truly happy. I would recommend CARE to anyone who wishes to make a difference in a big cats life. After one visit you will be hooked. The only issue I have found is their lack of funding. The location is one hr from the DFW area and has very little public exposure. The location is good for the cats but not so good for donors and visitors. they also need more trees.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Every time I visit there are new things going on the improve the big cats lives.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Add more areas for shade. It gets very hot in Texas. The people and the animals get very hot.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
General Operating
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I did a tour and knew they could use the extra help
What would you tell others about this organization?
go and see the cats. you will not regret it
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
4 people found this review helpful
August 10, 2011
4 people found this review helpful
In the 2 ½ years that I have been volunteering at CARE, I have led many tours, cleaned up a lot of tiger poop, and helped with fund-raising and special events. I am now a member of the board and dedicate as much of my free time to working for the cats as I possibly can. I have learned so much about these cats.
It is such a tragedy to know of the loss of species in the wild and the consequences of irresponsible private ownership.
We all know that there is a strong possibility that many of these great cats will disappear in the wild within our lifetime. The only way that people will know they exist is to see them in captivity, which is a horrible shame. These animals deserve better than that, and by being advocates for their cause, hopefully we can turn the tide and ensure that there will always be tigers in the jungle and lions on the savanna. In the case of the cats at CARE, they have never known that freedom, and never will. They were born into captivity and will live the remainder of their lives in enclosures. All we can do is dedicate ourselves to providing them with the best care possible. Giving them large enclosures with lots of enrichment, fresh food that provides them with all of the nutrition that they need and medical care to make sure that they are healthy and live without pain. And of course, lots of love. I may not have a lifetime of experience working with big cats, but I know what I see. Our cats are cared for, cherished and protected. And they respond to the love and attention they are given. No, it is not a natural occurrence that these wild predators have a relationship with humans. Yet, because of their situation, these cats have formed powerful bonds with their caretakers. They enjoy our company and affection almost as much as we do.
It is no surprise that I love these cats. They are precious to me and hold a very special place in my heart. But it isn’t just the cats that make CARE special.
The people who are the backbone of CARE are amazing! People from all over, with so many different stories. These people keep CARE going. They are volunteers, interns, partners, visitors and donors. They all contribute to our purpose-giving our cats a loving, safe home for as long as they live. I have enjoyed getting to know all of the people at CARE. I love sharing my stories of the cats with visitors and watching their reaction to being in such close proximity to these guys. And I cannot begin to express my respect and admiration for our Executive Director, Heidi Krahn, her husband Derek and their children. They are an amazing family, full of humor, dedication, and love. Heidi has dedicated her life to these cats and to watch what she accomplishes on a daily basis is simply astonishing. The Krahn family are the heart and soul of CARE and it is an incredible honor to be a part of the CARE family.
I get to work around animals that I have appreciated for most of my life, but only from afar. I continue to learn and above all, I get the satisfaction of knowing that I am doing something to protect animals that I cannot imagine this earth without. With some luck and a lot of hard work, we will continue to educate people about the consequences of keeping big cats as pets or using them for entertainment and monetary gains. We want to continue to provide a home for cats that have been abused or abandoned. Hopefully we can work as advocates to save these species from extinction, so that someday years from now, someone like me can fall in love with these animals and know that they have a protected place in this world.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my work with the sanctuary
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand the facility to provide additional home to cats in need
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Thank you so much for the great review! I love that you mentioned the out-of-town visitor housing, that is actually a project that we have on our list. We know people would love to be able to stay fr the weekend instead of just the day. Hopefully that will come to fruition in the next year or two. We so appreciate your support!