International Exotic Animal Sanctuary, Inc. (IEAS) was founded in Boyd, Texas in 1988 as a 501(c)(3), nonprofit tax-exempt corporation. IEAS's current mission is the care and welfare of its animal inhabitants, as well as educating the public about their needs. The inhabitants include bobcats, cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, and bears among other species. As of April 2007, 57 felines and seven bears call IEAS home, with spacious habitats, pools and houses. The employees and volunteers who care for the animals give of their time and talents to ensure the quality of life to which they are entitled.

The purpose and goals of IEAS are to provide a permanent sanctuary for exotic animals that have been abused, abandoned, neglected, confiscated, or previously owned by people unwilling or unable to provide for these magnificent beings. Additionally, IEAS educates the public through school programs, tour lectures, support for conservation programs, and public appearances about the value and worth of these sensitive, intelligent and perceptive animals, so that their future, as an important part of our world, is insured. We are committed to strengthening and promoting conservation education and other avenues to foster conservation in which we can participate.

First and foremost we serve the animals. Our ultimate goal is to provide these animals with the absolute highest quality of care possible in captivity. We work very closely with the city, state, and federal law enforcement as well as animal welfare agencies when animals are confiscated, abandoned and seized from abusive situations. Another very important part of our mission is education. IEAS educates the public to raise awareness about the dangers of keeping exotic animals as pets, conservation issues affecting these animals in the wild, and about the need to preserve these amazing beings for generations to come.

Not only is the sanctuary home to 64 exotic animals, but it is also a place providing education and conservation. The International Exotic Animal Sanctuary started the Intern Program in 2002. The program was a success from the beginning and has attracted students from all over the United States. Over the last five years, more than one hundred interns have completed our program and have moved on to contribute to zoos, sanctuaries and other reputable animal related facilities across the nation. Each of these inspired individuals have left here with one goal in mind-to help insure a quality life for captive animals and assist in animal welfare in the years to come. What better insurance do captive animals have for the future other than educating committed individuals that are dedicated to providing a quality life for captive wildlife by continuing education and practical experience!

The Education Program is designed to instill respect for nature and to raise awareness of the value and need to preserve these magnificent beings for generations to come. Over the course of twelve to twenty-four weeks each session, the chosen interns gain invaluable education and experience in all aspects of the Sanctuary’s operations. College credits can and have been earned at participating universities such as Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Arlington and Michigan State University. Dr. Richard Snider, Professor and Undergraduate Director of Zoology at Michigan State University, commends IEAS as a “primary source for research and development of better programs in management and animal welfare.” All of the interns that come to IEAS leave with fundamental knowledge and experience that complements their college education and takes them to the next level in their animal welfare career pursuits.

As part of the Education Program, IEAS provides conservation education tours where people can see the animals up close and learn about animal welfare issues related to keeping exotic animals in captivity and the conservation issues affecting these animals. During the tours, they are able to read our informative conservation signs posted throughout the Sanctuary. They inform the public of the natural history and the efforts being taken to conserve each of the different species that call IEAS home.

New events are always happening here at the Sanctuary. Check our website, www.bicat.org for details. Here you can find information about our tours, great pictures and videos of all of the animals, and updates on our special project: Bear Orphanage.

IEAS is proud to include many foundations, corporations, and private indiviuals as friends and supporters of our mission. We are very thankful to all of our generous supporters! Any and all gifts are greatly appreciated.

Everything that we do here, we do for the animals. We are proud of achieving animal care excellence in a number of ways. We maintain spacious, naturalistic habitats, nutritious diets and regular veterinary care for all of the animals. However, the highest quality of care requires more than just the bare essentials. Not only do we provide food and shelter for our residents, but we also care for their behavioral and emotional needs. The animals enjoy multi-level perches, ramps, pools and waterfalls, caves, tires, boomer balls, buoys, other toys, and seasonal items such as pumpkins and blocks of ice filled with food. Our unique Emotional Enrichment Program, which is overseen by our Animal Behaviorist, attempts to gain and maintain the trust of these abandoned and abused animals, as well as reduce their stress and improve their quality of life by providing a source of comfort and security. The Sanctuary has
set up a code of conduct for all staff, volunteers and visitors that gives the animals the respect and dignity they so deserve. Everything from daily operations to weekend conservation education tours are arranged to keep stress on the animals to a minimum.

Back in July 2007, the Board of Directors at IEAS began to recognize that a large need for housing bears had developed in our society. Many bears are being kept illegally, many are being displaced by development, and many are exceeding the ability of the current owners to give them the proper care that they need and deserve. It was at this time that IEAS began rescuing bears in addition to exotic felines.

Currently we have taken on the project of constructing Bear Orphanage: two beautiful, naturalistic, five-acre habitats for the bears of IEAS. Each habitat will be able to house up to nine bears. One will be used for grizzly bears and the other for black bears. These habitats will be tailored to fit the specific needs of these animals. Each habitat will feature forest and meadow areas, ponds and den areas, which are all part of the natural ecosystem for the bear. Holding areas and feeding areas will be included, allowing the staff to safely feed the bears and monitor their health.

Our hopes are offer to an enriching habitat that will provide for the mental and physical well-being of the bears as well as an exciting, educational experience for all those who visit. A perimeter fence will be constructed for safety and security reasons. Between the perimeter fence and Bear Orphanage will be a nature trail. This trail will be used to provide educational tours to the visiting public. Three observation decks will be built which will allow the public a wonderful vantage point from which to view these magnificent animals. These decks may also be used by the staff to monitor the bears’ health and behavior and conduct research without disturbing the animals’ natural behavior. Here at IEAS, we are strongly devoted to educating the public about the importance of preserving these amazing beings. Allowing the public to see these animals in their natural setting will provide us with an excellent opportunity to do just that.

IEAS is the first and only sanctuary of its kind to be certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is an accredited member of The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS).

In 2007, the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) honored IEAS with the Certificate of Merit for Zookeeper Education (CMZE). The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, institutions and organizations in the zoological community most actively promoting educational programs for zookeepers.