We often receive the following questions from our guests:

Question:  Is your organization similar to the San Antonio Zoo?

Answer:  We are not a zoo. The sanctuary is a respository of wildlife where our main priority is the safety and comfort of the animals. We do not allow hands-on interaction with the animals, and only give tours during certain hours of the day so that we may more efficiently take care of the animals.

The sanctuary offers guided educational tours to the public during the hours of 10 am to 4 pm  Saturdays and Sundays, and available for scheduled tours for 6 or more people during the week.  During the 45-minute guided tour, each animal's story and fun facts relating to the species is shared with our guests. 

The sanctuary is home to exotic wild animals requiring a permanent place to live either from roadside zoos, private owners, entertainment industry, research facility, or colleges/universities.  We take in the animals that have no other place to go—we are their last hope for survival.

Zoos also focus on the needs of their animals, but must incorporate the customer’s general needs, including direct interaction with most, if not all species in residence.  Zoos typically allow visitors to free-roam their facility, offering little insight to the history of their animals.  Most zoo collections are comprised of large charismatic species, such as giraffes, elephants, tigers, lions, etc. These animals are “crowd pleasers”, and are kept in captivity for the benefit of zoos themselves.

Question:  Why don't zoos accept re-homed exotic wild animals?

Answer:  Reputable zoos do not accept ex-pets, primarily because it is difficult to ascertain the medical and family history of ex-pets.  Often, captive exotic wild animals may be inbreed and cross-bred with different species and subspecies (examples include white tigers, ligers, or mixing Bengal tigers with Siberian tigers).  Most zoos are accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and are part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP).  SSP only accepts pure bloodlines to their gene pools in order to prevent genetic disorders or drifts.  SSP keeps “studbooks” on the animals within their program, so a tiger, for example, from one particular zoo can be bred with another tiger in a different zoo, without compromising the pure bloodlines of the species. 

Even though many zoos in the United States got their start a long time ago by taking in ex-pets owned by private owners, asking zoos today to take in exotic wild animal from a private owner would be like asking a registered, purebred dog or cat owner to allow their animals to be kenneled and bred with stray animals from the pound.

Question:  How much does it cost per month to feed the animals?

Answer:  Depending on the season, it costs a minimum of $15,000 per month to feed the animals.  This is only possible by kind donations made by donors as we are not supported by the City, County, State, or Federal government.

Question:  Can you return captive exotic wild animals back to the wild?

Answer:  Captive exotic wild animals cannot be returned to the wild because they are likely to be a danger to humans, which in turn jeopardizes the animals.  Animals fed by humans for long periods of time associate food with human activity and can become either a nuisance or outright dangerous to humans (example:  bears looking for food in our national parks’ campgrounds).

Many of the animals taken in were either declawed or defanged, so surviving in the wild would be nearly impossible.  Even if we could return our animals back to the wild, it would be cost prohibitive for us to return the animals back to their native habitat.

Question:  Are you open for tours year round?

Answer:  Yes, we are open for tours year round.  Please check our web site regularly for upcoming special events and hours of operation, and be sure to call ahead to join a group tour.

Volunteers Wanted   

With new management comes new policies and procedures. Thank you for your interest in the sanctuary's volunteer program. Beginning 1 May 2010 we have inaugurated a policy where only adults 18 and over, unless accompanied by a guardian or parent, can volunteer.

We are looking for strong backs who can help us improve the cages, fencing, clear brush and trees, remove trash, and generally give the sanctuary the kind of environment that the animals deserve. We are striving to make bigger cages for all of the animals and volunteers can make a big difference in their lives. The sanctuary has had some animals in cages for years without access to a natural environment of water pools, trees, and dirt to dig in and play with. Natural dens for the bears is a big goal, and volunteers can help us provide the type of enclosures that will facilitate that.

Please step up and donate your time, it will make a significant difference in your life, and the lives of these animals.

Please contact us at: 210.688.2511 to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for your kind and generous donation, for without your help, we are unable to provide quality care and housing for our animals.  Please send your tax-deductible contribution today! 

When you contribute $25 or more, we will send you, at your request, the gift of a T-shirt with the imprint of the animal of your choice as shown below. 

Please make checks or money orders payable to The Wild Animal Orphanage and simply print this web page, fill in the details, and mail the form to:

The Wild Animal Orphanage

P.O. Box 690422

San Antonio, Texas 78269

Again, thank you very much for your kind donation.  Rest assured that your money will go as directly to the care of these animals as possible. Thank you!

NOTE: Please understand that all donations will go into the general fund to be used as necessary. Your contributions will help us give the animals at the sanctuary what they need to allow them a happy and healthy life. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call: Kim Meyer at (210) 688-2511.

q    I would like to make a donation by check or money order only (no T-shirt) .        

q   Yes, I would like a T-shirt  (click on picture to enlarge the imprint)

                                                        Imprint Choices

Please Check T-shirt size                   Indicate Your Desired Imprint

q   Small                                     _____________________________________

q   Medium                                  _____________________________________

q   Large                                     _____________________________________

q   1X Large                                _____________________________________

q 2X Large                                _____________________________________

q   3X  Large                               _____________________________________

Please mail my T-shirt to:

Name:  ________________________________________________________

Address:  ______________________________________________________

City:________________________  State:__________  Zip Code:__________

      Thank you for your kindess and generosity on behalf of our animals!