The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the oldest and largest nonprofit refuge for captive large carnivores in North America, with over 150 lions, tigers, bears and other animals in residence. One of just a handful of “true” sanctuaries for these animal victims, The Wild Animal Sanctuary is at the forefront of the captive wild animal movement, and is the national leader in providing large acreage habitats for rescued species. A stunning statistic: the illegal exotic animal trade is third largest source of illegal profits in the world, after illegal drugs and weapons! There are an estimated 25,000 or more great cats, bears, wolves and other large carnivores kept as “pets” in America’s back yards, basements, apartments and garages! The Wild Animal Sanctuary is out to change social consciousness about the majestic animals who are victims of the captive wildlife crisis. So, in addition to saving animals, we do everything we can to provide education about the captive wildlife crisis. We are open to visitors daily, we host tours for students, groups and businesses, and we do public presentations on an ongoing basis. Internships are also part of our education program. Our web site, www.wildanimalsanctuary.org, has lots of information, and we also have myspace sites that provide continual updates. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a magical place to visit…a life-saving refuge for exotic great cats, bears and wolves, where the animals get to roam and play and swim in large acreage habitats. Thousands upon thousands of these majestic animals suffer and die each year, victims of abuse or abandonment, of the entertainment industry, of traveling shows, breeding compounds, hunting ranches, and so many other terrible situations. These desperate animals need Champions…please join The Wild Animal Sanctuary today in saving some of Earth’s most majestic creatures…the forgotten animals in the Captive Wildlife Crisis! “If all the animals were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit.” – Chief Seattle

We are The Wild Animal Sanctuary, North America’s oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary dedicated exclusively to saving and providing life-long homes for exotic great cats, bears, wolves and other large carnivores. We are also dedicated to educating about the dramatic plight faced by more than 25,000 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Jaguars, Leopards, Mountain Lions, and Wolves in deplorable captive situations.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary rescues animals that have been kept illegally as “pets,” as well as those surplussed from zoos, from circuses, roadside stands, magic shows, the movie, television, and entertainment industry, traveling road shows, other facilities that have been shut down due to abuse of animals or to financially forced closures, and those confiscated by law enforcement.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the leader in creating large acreage habitats for the various species, depending on the size and number of animals in a location. For instance, a handful of wolves live in a 5-acre habitat, and up to 20 tigers roam in a 20-acre habitat.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary provides exceptional stewardship for not only all the animals it has saved, but also to the planet at large. Making use of recycled, donated products on a large scale, the sanctuary has been able to create 64 acres of species specific habitats with underground dens and play structures, and build its 100 square foot welcome center by using literally tons concrete, thousands of telephone polls, miles of chain link fencing, and other recycled materials

The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s mission is twofold: 1) to save and provide life-long homes for abused, abandoned, exploited or illegally kept Lions, Tigers, Bears, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Wolves and other large carnivores, and 2) to educate the public about the dramatic and tragic plight of the thousands of animals held in captivity outside of our Public Zoo system. To that end, the sanctuary is open daily for visitors, school tours, and does public presentations.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary serves city, state and federal law enforcement – as well as individuals and animal welfare agencies – when they confiscate exotic animals from illegal or abusive situations. The sanctuary also provides extensive public education about the captive wildlife crisis in America, and offers internships and other educational opportunities to students and individuals looking to gain more experience in the field of large carnivore rehabilitation and care.

The need for help in the captive wildlife crisis is at an all-time high. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is at the forefront of providing much needed services to captive wildlife, the public, and educates about causes and solutions through three key programs. These programs include the Wild Animal Care Program, the Wild Animal Education Program, and the Captive Wildlife Rescue Program. These three programs sum up the hard work, dedication and love demonstrated every day by the sanctuary’s employees, volunteers, supporters, and those who care about making Earth a planet of harmony for all its inhabitants.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary has lots of exciting events planned. While most of these activities are in Spring and Summer, 2008, you can always check our web site, www.WildAnimalSanctuary.org, for the other things we’ve got going to help the animals.

Chair: Patrick Craig, Executive Director
The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO

Pat Craig began saving captive wildlife at age 19, while still a college student. From his first animal, a Jaguar cub, which he kept in a small licensed compound on his family farm outside Boulder, CO, Mr. Craig’s vision has led, 28 years later, to the oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary in North America for exotic Great cats and bears who have been abused, abandoned, exploited or illegally kept. Today The Wild Animal Sanctuary houses 150 Tigers, Lions, Grizzly and Black Bears, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Wolves, Servals, Bobcats and Coati Mundi. An innovator in providing exceptional care for captive great cats and bears (including designing one of four USDA-approved diets for large carnivores, and in developing large acreage species-specific habitats), Mr. Craig is a recognized expert in large carnivore behavior and management. He has participated as a member in The Association of Sanctuaries, and the American Sanctuary Association, on whose board he served. Mr. Craig has also lectured regionally and nationally on subjects as diverse as captive wildlife rescue and transportation, great cat behaviors and diets, and has addressed and developed related public policy and legislative issues. He has worked successfully with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA is the regulatory and licensing body for all exotic animal species), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and many other state and national organizations, as well as Universities across the country. Mr. Craig consults with other sanctuaries and animal welfare organizations, and is currently working with GEPDA (Gente por la Defensa Animalia) in Mexico City, to develop a national sanctuary in that country. He has developed detailed plans for the National Institute for Captive Wildlife Protection.

Director/Secretary: Toni Scalera
The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO

Toni Scalera graduated with honors from Florida State University, BA, Commercial Art. Following her experience in working for large regional shopping centers across the US, she earned her Certified Marketing Director (CMD) accreditation from the International Council of Shopping Centers. In addition to her marketing work in the shopping center industry, Ms. Scalera has worked in a variety of private and public sector enterprises, including the entertainment industry (Warner Bros.), retail management, community policing, and leasing. She is skilled in marketing, public relations, annual meeting, conference and special event planning, and has aided many nonprofit organizations. Ms. Scalera is also known for her work in metaphysical circles, and has taught and lectured nationally and internationally, and has written for publications throughout the U.S. Her work with The Wild Animal Sanctuary extends from animal care and compound maintenance, to her current position as Director of Development and Public Affairs. This work encompasses public relations, marketing, donor relations, education and development. Ms. Scalera’s honors include Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, as well as articles about her work in Women’s Wear Daily, Amusement Business, The Guinness Book of World Records, and various other regional publications.

Director: Dr. Carroll Loyer, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology)
Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado, Englewood, CO

Carroll Loyer, DVM is board certified in Cardiology as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1986, followed by an internship in medicine and surgery at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, and finished a residency in cardiology at the University of California at Davis in 1992. Dr. Loyer was the first student at Colorado State University to take elective courses in ultrasound and echocardiography. After an internship, he was asked to return to Colorado State to perform all the cardiac studies, even before receiving formal advanced training in cardiology. He introduced spectral Doppler echocardiography to CSU, and he was involved in the conversion to color-flow Doppler echocardiography at UC Davis. Dr. Loyer also developed the methodology to perform the newest technique in veterinary echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography. Dr. Loyer has been involved in computer-aided veterinary medicine, and he is currently developing interactive software to help teach echocardiography to other ultrasonographers. Dr. Loyer has been a cardiology consultant for several large veterinary corporations, as well as maintaining his clinical practice, and giving continuing education lectures around the country.

Director: George Ellis
Boulder Public Works, Boulder, CO

George Ellis is a supervisor for the City of Boulder Public Works in Boulder, CO, and specializes in construction and carpentry, where his work includes building design and construction. He graduated from Boulder High School, and has participated in numerous courses in construction, management, and related fields, where he has acquired many advanced certifications. Mr. Ellis has been heavily involved in The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s work since its inception, both with animal rescues and animal care, as well as in construction of animal housing, rescue and transport cages, large animal enclosures, animal habitats and visitor infrastructure, including ramps and large observation decks. Throughout the Sanctuary’s growth and evolution, Mr. Ellis has been a stalwart presence in saving captive wildlife.

Director: Judy Wilson
Corporate Express, Broomfield, CO

Judy Wilson works as a Purchasing Supervisor for Corporate Express, where she is a Senior Buyer for National Accounts. Ms. Wilson attended the University of Las Vegas, and the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, where she was an Anthropology major. Her other work experience includes workman’s compensation and insurance. Ms. Wilson has participated in many of her community’s activities over the years, including serving as area supervisor for International Exchange Student programs, area counselor for divorce recovery groups, and area Supervisor for the Red Cross. Ms. Wilson is the Volunteer Coordinator for The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s Volunteer Crew, where she manages a group of 40 Volunteers, and conducts regular orientations for new Volunteers, as well as Volunteer training. She is also a member of the Sanctuary’s Speakers Bureau, and regularly makes presentations on the Sanctuary’s behalf. Ms. Wilson was recognized for her Volunteer work in a regional newspaper.

Director: Becca Miceli
City of Angels Veterinary Specialty Center, Culver City, CA

Becca Miceli worked for The Wild Animal Sanctuary from 1999, when she first began volunteering, to 2007, when she was the Animal Care Director. During her time with the Sanctuary, Ms. Miceli has worked in every area to help meet the Sanctuary’s needs. Her tasks have led to skills in the areas of animal care, veterinary care, rescue operations, habitat construction and landscaping, special events, and project management. She also managed the Animal Adoption Program, one of the Sanctuary’s leading funding projects. While still a volunteer at the Sanctuary, Ms. Miceli worked at both veterinary clinics in Longmont, CO, and also for the Longmont Humane Society in animal care. She attended Metro State College in Denver, CO, where she obtained her certification in Public Non-Profit Management. Ms. Miceli is currently pursuing advanced education for Great Cat management, and works in the oncology department at the City of Angels Veterinary Specialty Center in Culver City, CA

The Wild Animal Sanctuary is fortunate to have the support of many individuals, organizations, corporations and businesses, schools and universities, foundations, and a whole lot of people who care about the animals. Some of them are: Actress and Humanitarian Jessica Biel, Firestone Building Products, Micro Motion, Inc., Rinker Concrete, Cast Transportation, Rocky Flats Nuclear Power Plant, King Soopers and Safeway Grocery Stores, Dr. Terry Campbell and Dr. Erick Egger, Colorado State University Veterinary School, Dr. Carroll Loyer, and Dr. Chad Devitt, Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado, Dr. James Cook and Dr. Derek Fox, DVM, University of Missouri Veterinary School, Dr. Bruce Hutton, Denver University.

In addition to being the oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary in North America exclusively dedicated to helping exotic great cats, bears and wolves, The Wild Animal Sanctuary is also the only nonprofit refuge to provide large acreage habitats for the different species. This enables the animals to enjoy a life that closely approximates the life they would have in the wild. The 150 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Wolves and other animals at the sanctuary are healthy, happy and – we believe – grateful to have an easy life after everything they suffered before being rescued.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary would like nothing better than to complete our Animal Hospital, to serve not only the rescued residents at our refuge, but any other captive great cats, bears or wolves who may need its services. Finishing the animal hospital will require a complete interior build-out, along with obtaining large animal veterinary equipment, surgical and medical supplies, and administrative office equipment and technology.

Another critical objective for the fiscal year is to purchase the adjacent 80 acres of land north of the sanctuary that is currently for sale, in order to build more habitats for the animals and create a grasslands buffer to the encroaching development.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary recently rescued two female African Lions and a Black Bear Cub, all victims of abuse, abandonment or illegal ownership. In addition, a 3700 square foot building has just been constructed, that will be turned into an animal hospital for the great cats, bears and wolves at the sanctuary, as well as others who may need veterinary services.