Shop to Save Wild Cats
Big Cat Rescue Closes Its Online Store After 30 Years:
A New Era for Wild Cat Conservation
After more than 30 years of running online stores filled with big cat merchandise, we have officially closed our final online shop at BigCatRescue.biz. It’s been an incredible journey, and we are beyond grateful for the support of Big Cat Rescuers who purchased everything from t-shirts and jewelry to calendars and books — all to help fund our mission to protect wild cats.
However, as with all things, change is inevitable.
Why We Made This Decision
In December 2022, the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act marked the culmination of decades of work to end the private ownership of big cats and shut down the cruel cub-petting industry. With this success, Big Cat Rescue shifted its focus to protecting wild cats in the wild, where they belong.
When we sold the 67-acre sanctuary property last year for $21 million, we made a promise to invest those funds into income-producing assets — stocks, bonds, real estate, and other investments — to provide long-term, sustainable funding for wild cat conservation efforts around the world. We plan to invest a million dollars a year into threat mitigation, habitat conservation, education and other proven strategies to protect wild cats in the wild; where they belong. This new strategy allows us to maximize the impact of every dollar, helping preserve critical habitats and fund anti-poaching initiatives, research, and education programs that make a real difference.
Managing an online store, however, was becoming more of a distraction than a benefit. As much as we loved offering big cat-themed goodies and sharing our mission through wearable advocacy, the time and resources required to operate and manage the store had become a burden. That’s time we knew could be better spent protecting wild cats and advancing conservation initiatives globally.
But Don’t Worry — We’re Still on eBay!
For those who still want to show their love for wild cats and Big Cat Rescue, we will maintain a presence on eBay for the occasional sale of unique or rare items. While it won’t be as extensive as our past online stores, it will allow us to continue offering select memorabilia and one-of-a-kind pieces for our most dedicated supporters.
Looking Ahead: Investing in a Future Where Wild Cats Roam Free
Our mission has always been bigger than selling merchandise. It’s about creating a world where wild cats thrive in their natural habitats, free from the threats of poaching, habitat destruction, and exploitation. By investing the proceeds from the sanctuary’s sale into income-generating assets, we are ensuring that our impact continues long into the future.
This new chapter allows us to focus entirely on our conservation efforts, funding innovative programs, empowering local communities, and protecting wild cat species from extinction. Every decision we make now is driven by a commitment to safeguard the planet’s most majestic creatures — and we couldn’t do it without your unwavering support.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
To everyone who shopped at BigCatRescue.biz over the years, you played a vital role in helping us achieve incredible milestones for big cats. Your purchases funded critical rescue operations, educational programs, and advocacy work that led to historic legislative changes. Though the store may be closed, your impact lives on through the wild cats we are working to protect.
If you’d like to continue supporting our mission, please consider visiting our eBay page or contributing directly to our conservation initiatives.
Together, we’re making a lasting difference — one that ensures wild cats have a future where they belong: in the wild.
With gratitude, The Big Cat Rescue Team 🐾
