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Our Goals: Big cat rescue, education, and conservation. Yogie and Friends™ serves as a permanent home for tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, servals, and other exotic cats that have been abused, neglected or unwanted.
Yogie and Friends™ is Federally Licensed by the USDA, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries permitted. We are the only big cat sanctuary in the state of Louisiana.
With the help and support of the public we will be able to fund our projects to build new, natural style habitats through the 6-phases listed below, and together we can ensure that these magnificent creatures suffer no more.
Yogie and Friends’ Master Plan includes the Animal Education Center, Veterinarian Clinic, and Quarantine Housing, Internship program and dormitories and natural habitats for the big cats.
Phase I - Locate and purchase 50 – 100 acres of land
* Land that is developable and located away from any residential areas and areas not planned for highway redevelopment or construction.
- Immediate goal of refurbishing and upgrading current habitats until land is located and purchased
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Short-term (2 -5 years) locate and purchase 50 acres to construct 8 habitats for current residents
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Long-term goal (5 – 10 years) have purchased 50 more adjacent acres to construct a minimum of 7 larger habitats with capability of several more for future rescues
Estimated cost: $1,000,000 (varies on amount of land obtained and current land cost)
Phase II Animal Education Center, Veterinarian Clinic, and Quarantine Housing
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Animal Education Center will allow us to conduct more in-depth formal classroom training for volunteers, interns, and school visitors.
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Veterinarian Center will be an on-site clinic where minor and emergency medical procedures can be performed on our animals without the stress of having to transport them to an off-site veterinarian hospital.
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Quarantine housing provides an indoor/outdoor facility further separated from other animals.
Estimated Cost: $450,000
Phase III Natural Habitats
This will be an area consisting of an estimated 15 naturally designed habitats (1/2 acre enclosures) and Support Services, to include food preparation and storage facility, equipment storage and tools. This will be phased over a 2 – 10 year short-term/long-term plan, as identified in Phase I of land purchase.
Estimated cost: $1,500,000
Phase IV Special Animals Needs area
This area is a section that will be dedicated for animals that cannot handle a lot of human interaction. This will be a secluded area for those animals that are easily distressed by a lot of human interaction, but are able to handle limited interaction with their assigned caregivers. Very limited human contact will occur with animals in this area and there will be a special electronic surveillance system for closer observation of these animals thus reducing stress.
Estimated cost: $200,000.
Phase V Internship Program and Dormitories
Obtain two Single-Wide Mobile Homes for Intern Dormitories (Separate Male and Female) to provide us the opportunity to accept and train full-time interns for 3 – 6 month rotations 24 – 7. This allows interns an opportunity to observe big cat behavior and assist in care giving.
Estimated Cost: $150,000
Phase VI Yogie Yard
This phase will consist of a small concession and picnic pavilion and handicap accessible restrooms area for visitors and be another source of revenue for the animals. Visitors will have an opportunity to picnic off the animal premises and prevent any risk of trash or debris getting into any of the animal habitats. They will not be allowed any food or beverages on the sanctuary site itself, thus protecting the health and welfare of the animals.
Estimated cost: $100,000
Additionally there are equipment needs estimated at $300,000.
Total Capital Campaign: $3,700,000 rounded. |
About the Sanctuary
