Watch CBS News

North Texas Animal Sanctuary Needs Help Feeding New Tigers

WYLIE (CBSDFW.COM) - In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center is asking for donations from the public after seeing the condition of its newest group of tigers.

In all, 10 adult tigers and three adult cougars were "re-homed" at the center. But the tigers are extremely underweight, according to the sanctuary.

In-Sync Exotics posted the following plea via their Facebook page on Monday:

URGENT! We don't do this often, but we really need to beg for monetary donations right now. As you can see from all their pictures, the new tigers who we brought home last week are extremely under-weight. We were able to get several of them on the scales this weekend, and we were appalled.

Cincinnati (pictured above) weighs only 236 pounds - he should be at least 400 pounds! Due to their poor condition, we are feeding them twice a day, and will be for some time (we normally feed once daily, to more closely mirror feeding habits in the wild), and the amount of food we will be giving them is going to be very expensive! ANY amount is greatly appreciated - every $10 or $25 helps!!! Please help us get these beautiful new tigers fattened up and healthy! (Plus, we'll have to spay 3 of the females, which certainly isn't cheap, and other assorted veterinary bills that these cats will be accumulating). You can donate by sending a check, donating through paypal, or bringing a donation and visiting the cats any Saturday or Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)!

>>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE TIGER'S ARRIVAL<<<

The cats arrived in three separate groups; the cougars came to their new home January 14, seven of the tigers arrived February 4, and the remaining three came to the animal sanctuary on February 5.

>>>RELATED STORIES<<<

All thirteen cats were re-homed as part of an agreement between In-Sync Exotics and the Caruth C. Byrd Wildlife Foundation in Van, Texas. The Caruth C. Byrd Wildlife Foundation is changing their focus and "getting out of the caged animal business" according to a representative of the Foundation. They will continue to maintain their hoof stock but are re-homing their carnivores. In-Sync Exotics assumed all costs related to the care of the big cats.

>>>DONATE HERE<<<

All big cats on sanctuary property have received vaccinations to prevent against canine distemper. At present, all cats on the property are testing negative for the disease, according to In-Sync Exotics. The new arrivals were all inoculated using a different type of vaccine while they were still at the Caruth C. Byrd Wildlife Foundation.

The new cats range in age from three to eighteen, and some are more human imprinted than others. Visitors who come out should remember that the tigers may be frightened and easily agitated until they "settle in" and become accustomed to their new home.

In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center's mission is to rescue and care for abused, neglected, or unwanted exotic cats. There are currently 63 exotic cats on-site. This includes three exceptionally rare white lions, a golden tabby tiger, a white tiger and two cheetahs.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Latest News:

Top Trending:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.