How Do Animals End Up at IEAS?

Have you ever wondered how all of the residents of the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary actually end up here? Well, there is truly a wide range of situations that have brought animals to their forever home at IEAS. From circus tigers, to lions kept as "pets," we've seen it many felines and bears come from less than ideal conditions to the Sanctuary.

Most of the exotic animals that call the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary home have been abused, abandoned, neglected, confiscated, or previously owned by individuals unwilling or unable to provide for them.

For example, Prince, Princess, Duke, and Duchess were rescued from a Coryell County property. All of the animals on the property were found living in very poor environmental conditions. They had very small and unsanitary enclosures and were malnourished. Conditions inside the dwelling were deemed dangerous for both the humans and animals. As such, all four of the exotic cats (along with over 300 dogs), were removed immediately and taken to IEAS with the help of the Houston SPCA.

Nala was malnourished and suffering from severe osteoporosis when Jim Dunlap of the Plano ISD Living Materials Center picked her up at a Dallas Animal Control Facility. At just four months of age, all of her major bones except a front leg had hairline fractures as a result of improper diet. Because of her condition, she was able to do little more than hold her head up. After months of receiving the proper care and nutrition, Nala was able to stand and walk around with a slight limp.

Big John and his companions, Barnum and Isabella, were confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Brownsville, TX because of violations of the Endangered Species Act, the Lacey Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. They were part of the Spanish Circus that was on its way back to Spain. Isabella, Big John and Barnum were cramped in a small trailer along with ponies and camels and kept in deplorable conditions. The tigers were hot, underfed, thirsty and just about lost all will to live. They were transferred to a temporary home near Brownsville until IEAS stepped in to offer these helpless animals a second chance at a better life.

These animals, along with many others, have left their pasts behind them and have truly been enjoying their new lives at IEAS. We couldn't be happier to have given them a second chance and we hope their stories will help us teach people about the value and worth of these amazing animals and how they should be protected as the wild animals they are!