Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego’s only accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, is celebrating the holidays with its annual fundraiser “Christmas with the Animals.” On Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1-5 p.m., guests can spend the afternoon alongside their favorite exotic animals, and meet newly rescued animals, as they open treat-filled presents and discover Christmas trees in their habitats.
Visitors 18 and older can create an unforgettable holiday memory by booking a “Feed with a Keeper” experience, which allows them to feed one of the animals a part of their Christmas dinner from a distance. Plus, guests can grab last-minute holiday gifts at the sanctuary’s store, dine at Up in Smoke BBQ and Cali Craft Tacos food trucks, enjoy a hot chocolate beverage bar, and visit Santa Claus.
“This was a big year for us – we rescued eight animals from defunct zoos, illegal ownership, and other abuse or abandonment. We just finished restoring the habitat for Eddie the jaguar, and we can’t wait for visitors to see him enjoying his first holiday season at the sanctuary,” said Lions Tigers & Bears founder and director Bobbi Brink.
“Eddie was born in captivity to be a pet as part of the exotic animal trade but was abandoned once he wasn’t a cuddly cub and his instincts as a wild animal set in. He’s been in a quarantine habitat where he received veterinary care and got acclimated to the sanctuary while he awaited a permanent home. We appreciate the support this time of year as we welcome these new animals into our sanctuary as their lifetime home.”
Lions Tigers & Bears provides an up-close look at how its 65-plus rescued animal residents – retired circus animals, survivors of inhumane photo and petting opportunities, and abandoned and illegally owned animals – can have a safe, lifetime haven. In the past two years, the Lions Tigers & Bears rescue team has conducted 10 rescue missions to save 94 animals in need, 17 of which have been welcomed to the sanctuary, with the rest safely transported to reputable sanctuaries across the nation.
Tickets are available online or by calling 619-659-8078 and cost $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under, and nonmembers are $50 for adults and $20 for kids. All proceeds benefit the rescued animals, providing food, enrichment, habitat maintenance, veterinary care, and more. The event will happen rain or shine.
About Lions Tigers & Bears
Lions Tigers & Bears is a federally and state licensed 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue facility dedicated to providing a haven to abused and abandoned exotic animals while inspiring an educational forum to end the exotic animal trade. Lions Tigers & Bears is a no-contact, no-kill, no-breed, and no-sell facility that allows the animals in its care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. Lions Tigers & Bears is one of the few sanctuaries in the United States with the highest level of accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association.
The exotic animal rescue nonprofit, led by Brink, has coordinated rescues for more than 1,100 big cats, bears, wolves, and other exotic animals across the U.S. in need of permanent refuge and lifetime homes at reputable sanctuaries, including Lions Tigers & Bears. Guests can book visits and become members. For more information, visit lionstigersandbears.org.
