When guests visit Cat Tales Wildlife Center, they often see tigers splashing in their pools, bobcats lounging in the sun, or bears enjoying a snack. What they don’t always see is the mountain of work—and the budget—that keeps those animals healthy and safe, every single day of the year.
Running a wildlife rescue isn’t just about food (though our grocery bill is impressive). It’s about forever care. Once an animal comes to us, they have a home for life. That means every day, every week, every year—we’re there with clean water, fresh diets, medical attention, and safe, secure spaces.
💵 The Big Picture
In our current budget (FY26):
- Annual Income: ~$669,820
- Annual Expenses: ~$589,528
- Cushion for emergencies & growth: ~$80,292
It takes nearly $600,000 a year (or about $1,600 a day) to keep Cat Tales running.
📊 Where Your Dollar Goes
Every single dollar is stretched to meet the daily needs of more than 40 animals in our care. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Animal Care (Food, Vet, Supplies): 24%
- Staff & Training: 14%
- Animal Homes & Utilities: 18%
- Education & Guests: 13%
- Other (Insurance, Marketing, Travel, etc.): 31%
🐅 What That Looks Like in Real Life
- Feeding just one tiger costs about $5,000–$6,000 a year.
- A single vet procedure (like X-rays or bloodwork) can be $500–$1,000.
- Heating and water pumps in winter push utility bills into the thousands each month.
- Insurance is non-negotiable: $30,000 annually just to protect the sanctuary and animals.
🌟 Why Small Gifts Matter
Even though the budget feels big, here’s the hopeful truth: most of our donors give $20 or less. And those gifts? They add up beautifully.
- $20 = a week of chicken for the bobcats
- $50 = keeps the bear pool clean and filled
- $100 = arthritis meds for a tiger for a month
Your support covers more than bills—it creates forever homes for animals who had nowhere else to go.
💖 Be Part of the Rescue
Every gift—large or small—is a lifeline. Together, our community of givers makes forever homes possible.