“It is our dream that one day there will be no need for rescue facilities, but until that day happens, we will continue to educate the public on the realities of uncontrolled, captive breeding practices and the need for conservation.”

In the city of Wylie, Texas, and in the backyard of Vicky Keahey, lies In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue & Educational Center, a sanctuary for tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, bobcats, lynxes, servals, and ocelots (and honorary lemurs and coatamundi). As a non-profit organization that began with a woman's love and dedication for exotic cats, the rescue center is the home to dozens of big (and small) wild and exotic cats that were saved from negligence, abuse, or owners who no longer wanted them.

I recently was able to visit In-Sync for the first time, and it is unlike the experience of seeing these animals in a zoo. You are up much closer to them, and the only thing separating you and the cats is a double chain-link fence with a walkway between for caretakers to use. It is incredible to see them practically within reaching distance and with so little actually between you and the wild animals. Each enclosure has a plaque with the cat’s name, date of birth and rescue, and their story of where they came from and why. Some are extremely sad to read what happened to them before they were rescued, but it’s great that a place like In-Sync exists and is always willing to do whatever they can to help and save an exotic cat. It’s also amazing to see the bond and relationships that the cats make with each other and with the keepers who take care of them every day. Although these are not considered pets under any circumstances, the exotic cats who live at In-Sync allow their caregivers to pet them through the fences, and they almost “purr” towards them to show them their love. In the wild they are able to completely survive on their own, but at In-Sync, the cats totally rely on these people for their survival. They no longer know what to do to fend for themselves as they would in nature, and they trust the workers and volunteers to keep them alive. However, many of the exotic cats have come and gone through In-Sync. A huge wall in the back of the sanctuary is dedicated to all the wild souls that crossed the Rainbow Bridge after being taken to In-Sync, along with their stories and memorials left by ones who loved them.

As for education at In-Sync, different programs are in place to help educate the animals and visitors. The Animal Husbandry Training Program has allowed the caretakers to teach the cats simple commands such as down, stand-up, back, or forward, which helps make examinations and medical procedures easier without putting the cats under anesthesia. An Enrichment Program keeps the captive animals mentally, physically and emotionally engaged as the enrichment team prepares a variety of toys and activities to keep the cats stimulated and entertained. The Cat Companion Program establishes a bond of mutual trust and respect between the cats and caregivers through sessions of talking to the cats outside their enclosure without anything else going on with the cat. Educational tours and community outreach programs are available for visitors to teach them about the wild animals living at In-Sync and what we can do to reduce the number of exotic animals in captivity. Public tours are available Thursday through Saturday, and guided group, night, and feeding tours are available throughout the week upon reservations.

Since it is a non-profit organization, volunteers and donations are always needed, and you can help out no matter where you are in the United States or the world. You can also “Adopt-A-Cat” through monthly payments to help care for a particular cat (and how awesome would it be to say you have an adopted tiger)? For more information to help out or adopt at In-Sync, click here.

So, if you’re ever in Texas, and up for a drive to Wylie, consider visiting the In-Sync Exotics Rescue and Education Center. I promise it will be an amazing experience to see these cats and how different it is from a zoo, and you will want to visit anytime you come back.