Who We Are
Our History: As most passions begin, Serenity Springs Wildlife Center started in the home of Nick and Karen Sculac. A profound lover of animals, Nick was known to bring home an assortment of two and four legged creatures for his family to foster. Along with his wife and three daughters, his attention turned to rescuing a cougar, named Sierra, in 1993. Sierra was sick and malnourished when Nick found her at a farm in Kansas. He worked against all odds to save her life and today, almost fifteen years later, Sierra still calls Serenity Springs her home.
Shortly after Sierra, they rescued another young cougar, Loredo. They began devoting their attention toward opening a sanctuary to rescue cougars and to educate the public about captive wild cats. Because their home was being crowded and shredded by these two active, growing cubs, Nick bought land near Calhan for his family and their beloved cats. Each day, Sierra could be seen perched on Nick's shoulders, as they drove out to the sanctuary or his construction sites to work.
Their best-laid plans quickly changed when Nick & Karen decided to rescue 12 exotic cats from the Alamosa Tiger Ranch in 1994. The owner had run out of money, and the cats were abandoned and starving; Nick quickly began building cages. The rest, as they say, is history. The next 10 years were a time of enormous work caring for the cats, learning about their needs, learning about the world of exotic pet dealing and ownership, learning about the issues the cats face as unsuitable domestic "pets" and expanding the sanctuary by leaps and bounds. Deeply involved with feline conservation groups, they were an outspoken voice in the feline community. Nick and Karen continued to rescue exotic cats from cruel and inhumane situations and the need was quickly growing.
Today, Serenity Springs Sanctuary is home to over 120 lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bobcats, sevals, and a binturong. In keeping with their outlook on the environment and animal conservation, many of our residents are cast-offs from private owners, zoos and circuses.
Our Organization's Mission
Big Cats of Serenity Springs DBA Serenity Springs Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe, stable, and permanent home for non-domestic felines and other exotic wildlife. Through educational programs and community outreach, we strive to raise public awareness of the existence of the large numbers of captive wildlife and the continuing need for sanctuary from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Through introduction to, and education about, these magnificent creatures, we promote compassion and respect for all animals, while fostering recovery for endangered species.
Who We Serve
In this ever-evolving world, there is always a price to be paid for progress. All too often, that price is paid by those who do not benefit from that progress. Whether it be destruction of habitat, or decimation of its population, animals suffer when progress comes to them. Big cats, as well as other species, have become threatened, and even extinct, at the hands of man. As main attractions at roadside zoos, sparring partners for professional boxers, or even personal pets, these animals serve at the whim of their masters. When they no longer serve that purpose, they are euthanized or abandoned.
Our Programs
1. Provide a safe, permanent, and adequate environment for rescued exotic wildlife.
2. Promote education, both formal and informal, about exotic wildlife, the threats to its existence, and measures that can be taken to mitigate human exploitation.
3. Develop a veterinary center of excellence that, in addition to providing state-of-the-art care and maintenance for the feline residents, can serve as an educational training ground for veterinary students, and provide hands-on experience in handling and caring for exotic cats.
Upcoming Events
"2nd Annual Poker Run", July 4-6, 2008
"Christmas with the Cats", December 2008
Board of Directors
Nick Sculac – Founder and President of Big Cats of Serenity Springs. Nick grew up in southern California, where he trained cats for commercial work. He spent several years in the Marines, and had been a contractor for 27 years. Nick has 30 years experience working with big cats and other wildlife, including training cats for Siegfried and Roy.
Gunnar Heuberger – General Manager and Owner of Heuberger Motors, Gunnar has been very active in our local community contributing to various charities. He has sat on various boards throughout the years, and is currently on a product development board for Subaru. He has been a dedicated volunteer to Big Cats of Serenity Springs and a devoted animal lover.
Vicki Dimond – A graduate of the University of Houston, Vicki has a 32-year business management background in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. She is the current Editor and Associate Publisher for the Colorado Springs Style Magazine. Former Regional Director of Development for the American Cancer Society, she was also the former Marketing/Promotions, Production and Public Affairs Manager for KOAA-TV Channel 5/30 and Promotions Manager for the Gazette Telegraph.
Melanie Marsden, DVM – Dr. Marsden is originally from Western South Dakota, and has lived in Colorado Springs for ten years, with her husband and 2 children. She attended the University of California at Davis where she received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and her DVM degree. She works with small animals and exotics, and has worked as the veterinarian for Big Cats of Serenity Springs for the last ten years. She has served on committees as an expert veterinarian for the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Board of Pharmacy. Dr. Marsden has been a Veterinary New Network Reporter for three years. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation. She is also current President of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.
Gaynelle Mize – Gaynelle is almost a life long resident of Colorado, graduating from Western States College in Gunnison, Colorado, in 1971. She was a teacher in Colorado Springs, and then worked for the El Paso County District Attorney's Office, retiring as a marketing products director for Current, Inc. She has served on the Boards of the Broadmoor Improvement Society, Cystic Fibrosis, and the Furr Ball (the fund raising arm of the Pikes Peak Humane Society). She has also worked on projects for the Children's Literacy program. She was President and served on the Board of the Broadmoor Golf Club Ladies Association. She has a Portuguese Water dog and small (rather than big) cat, and loves animals and of course her 8 grandchildren.
Julie Walker – Julie served in the United States Air Force for 10 years in Intelligence and Administrative Management/Training Management. After a short career in Law Enforcement, she has had a successful career in the automotive industry as a Finance Director. Julie has spent her entire life working with animals of all types – as early as grade school she was active in 4-H, breeding and training German Shepherd dogs and showing Quarter Horses. Since moving to Colorado in 1994, Julie has competed in several equestrian competitions and has spent several years rescuing and retraining Thoroughbred Race Horses.
Major Supporters and Sponsors
Colorado Springs Style Magazine
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Dirk Arthur, Las Vegas
Randy Miller of Predators in Action
Law Tigers
Cowboy's Night Club
| Year Founded : |
1993 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
2001 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
2 |
| Volunteers : |
15 |
| Annual Income : |
$150,000 |
| Amount Spent Fundraising : |
$2,250 |
What Sets Us Apart
We envision a modern and purposeful veterinary program providing state-of-the-art care and maintenance of our residents, as well as research and development of improved medical methodologies for the treatment of exotic wildlife.
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
As Serenity Springs Wildlife Center became more immersed in the rescue and care of abandoned and abused big cats, the goals changed, as well. We realize the scope of the problem, and the depth of the damage done; therefore our goals of sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals has transitioned into recognition of the need for education and publicity. As such, we have transitioned from a single-minded focus on care and maintenance of these endangered animals to a multi-faceted emphasis on education and exposure of the crisis facing these animals today.
We believe that our current residents can best serve as examples of what humans have done to the big cat population, and emphasize the need for greater focus on conservation and proper care. As such, we are opening larger portions of the Center for public viewing, as well as enhancing our formal education programs. We are focusing on illustrating the scientific, as well as the emotional, impacts of abuse and misuse of big cats.
Recent Accomplishments
Partnership with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Development of our internship program.
Remodel of the guesthouse into a temporary Education Center and "Safari Cabin".
