CLAY COUNTY Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Joe Taft, founder of Exotic Feline Rescue Center said the mission of their operation is to provide permanent homes for exotic felines that have been abused, abandoned, or for some reason have nowhere to live out their lives, while educating the public about these beautiful cats.
In the midst of the social media craze over Tiger King: Murder, Meyhem and Madness, Taft mentions his rescue center is focused on the health and treatment of the animals.
“We do not breed tigers. We do not sell tigers we do not buy tigers. We are strictly a rescue operation because we are here for the animals, and for all the people in the film, the animals were there for them.”
Taft admits he has seen the ‘Tiger King’ series and comments that he found it entertaining, but adds the charisma of tigers and big cats in general is what attracted him to the show.
“You put together the crime story, as well as the charisma of big cats, the element of a big cats is that they’re incredibly friendly for the most part, which quite surprised at some people, and you put all those elements together, then sure, you can come up with the drama.”
The center has over 100 big cats, and is typically open to the public, but now with social distancing and a ‘Stay at Home’ order in place, the non-profit center has had to temporarily close its doors.
Taft said in a time like this he is hoping the community will support his big cat operation and make a donation, adopt or sponsor a cat, or buy merchandise off of their online gift store.
He said E.F.R.C also has memberships options available for the public. For further information go to www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.com.
