Center for Animal Research & Education (CARE)

The Center for Animal Research and Education (CARE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to education, research, rescue, and long-term care for exotic animals.

Located in Bridgeport, TX, CARE currently provides a permanent home to over 50 animals including lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, bobcats, ring-tailed lemurs, llamas, a tortoise, and a coati.

The animals at CARE come from different backgrounds. Some of the animals were abandoned, abused, neglected or exploited. Some were retired from zoos. Others were rehomed from other facilities that could no longer care for them. They each have their unique story. Regardless of where they came from, they are all given tremendous love and world-class husbandry here at CARE.

Our first priority is caring for the animals that are already here, but we are always willing to give a home to animals in need whenever we can. In addition to rescue and animal care, we are dedicated to advocating animal welfare and improving husbandry and veterinary practices through education and research.

CARE relies entirely on support from the public. The tireless work of our mostly volunteer staff and the generosity of our donors provide the foundation that holds CARE up. They are the ones that hold the future of these magnificent creatures in their hands. It is because of them that the animals not just survive, but thrive.

Our Needs

With a large aging and special needs animal population at CARE, our current needs consist of veterinary care funds and general operating funds. These funds will cover veterinary care and medications as well as the cost of general operations like electricity for our Special CARE Units (inside additions to many enclosures that have lighting, heat, and a/c to keep our most fragile animal comfortable and protected).