Dennis Mitchell of Big Cat Rescue will give a presentation on his organization this Thursday, November 17.

Some quick facts about Big Cat Rescue:

* Big Cat Rescue is the largest accredited sanctuary in the world dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats.

* The nonprofit sanctuary began in 1992.

* The sanctuary is home to more than 100 exotic big cats

* The cats at Big Cat Rescue are here for a variety of reasons, including:
o Abandoned by owners who wrongly thought they would make good pets
o Abused by owners in order to force them to perform
o Retired from performing acts
o Saved from being slaughtered to make fur coats
o Rescued as babies after hunters killed their mothers

* Big Cat Rescue has more than a dozen species of cats, many of whom are threatened or endangered in the wild, including:
o Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Cougars
o Bobcats, Lynx, Servals, Ocelots, Caracals

* Big Cat Rescue’s mission is to provide the best possible home for the animals in our care and try to stop the flow of exotic cats needing sanctuary by educating the public about the plight of the animals and supporting stronger laws to protect them.

* The non-profit organization is:
o Accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries
o Certified by Independent Charities of America as a “Best in America Charity”
o Member of the World Society for Protection of Animals
o The sanctuary is situated on 55 acres in the Citrus Park area of north Tampa.