Est. 2000
In-Sync Exotics is dedicated to the rescue of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic felines.
In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue & Educational Center
USDA License #74-C00431
501(c)(3), a publicly supported foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do you get your cats?
- Can they ever be released in the wild?
- There's a wild bobcat near my house? What should I do?
- What do they eat? How much?
- I'm a hunter. Do you accept meat donations?
- How much does it cost to care for the cats?
- Are you a zoo?
- Why don't you send them to zoos?
- What kind of cats do you have?
- Do you have room for more cats needing a home?
- Do you rescue animals other than cats?
- Do you rescue domestic/feral cats?
- Who is your biggest cat?
- How do you tell the cats apart?
- Do you breed your cats?
- Do you have any cubs?
- Do you vaccinate your cats?
- What is the difference between the different subspecies of tigers?
- Do you have a special license to run your facility?
- Where do you get your funding?
- Do you bring animals to outreach programs?
- Is it safe to visit your facility?
- Can I tour your facility?
- Do you need volunteers?
- Do you offer Community Service hours?
Where do you get your cats?
Our cats have come from inhumane breeding facilities, entertainment facilities, and from private owners who could no longer care for their pets.
Can they ever be released in the wild?
Unfortunately no. With the exception of our bobcat, Moses, all of our animals were born and raised in captivity. They were taken from their mother very early in life so that they could be human imprinted. Our cats do not have the skills to survive out in the wild, and as a result of cross-breeding and inbreeding their gene pools are contaminated. Sadly, even if they could be released in the wild, there is simply not enough habitat left to support the number of cats living in captivity. We have rescued two wild bobcats. Lazarus was rehabilitated and released back into the wild in April 2006. Moses, unfortunately, got too accustomed to humans and releasing him would have been a death sentence.
There's a wild bobcat near my house? What should I do?
With so many new housing and commercial developments popping up, many bobcats are being displaced from their homes and are wandering into neighborhoods. Be sure to keep your distance and not provoke the cat. Although bobcats typically avoid humans and would prefer not to have any encounters with humans, they do have the potential of being dangerous, especially if they are ill or injured. Kittens are often left unattended while Mama hunts, so don't automatically assume an unattended kitten is orphaned. DFW Wildlife Coalition is a great resource on wildlife in urban developments. You can also contact us at 972-442-6888 and we'll put you in touch with someone who can help.
What do they eat? How much?
The cats are carnivores so eat a raw diet of processed red meat that we get from a couple of processing plants in the U.S. We do have a few finicky eaters who will eat only chicken, so we add supplements to their food to ensure they get all the proper nutrients. Chicken is also served as treats. Nugget, our coatimundi, eats a diet of meat, fruits and vegetables. The amount each cat eats depends on his size, metabolism and activity level. The portions also vary throughout the year depending on the temperature. On average, we serve anywhere between 1/2 pound of food to 8 1/2 pounds plus the chicken "dessert." One day a week, instead of their normal diet, our cats are treated to huge shank bones. We go through about 260 pounds of meat a day.
I'm a hunter. Do you accept meat donations?
As a general rule, we don't stray too far from their normal diets
How much does it cost to care for the cats?
The cost varies depending on the species. A tiger can cost on average $300/month just to feed. Plus we have the added expense of housing, medical care, water, electricity, etc.
Are you a zoo?
No, we are not a zoo, but a sanctuary. We do not buy, sell, trade or breed our cats. Instead, we provide them with a safe, loving, nurturing home for the remainder of their lives.
Why don't you send them to zoos?
Accredited zoos play a different role in captive breeding and conservation. They integrate the Species Survival Plan program which is a highly selective and controlled breeding program. Although we love all the animals we rescue and think they are very special, because most of them are products of cross-breeding (inter-species and subspecies) and inbreeding and have health and genetic issues, zoos have no interest in our animals. Our cats are society's throw-aways.
What kind of cats do you have?
We have lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, servals, bobcats and lynx. We also have a coatimundi, a member of the raccoon family.
Do you have room for more cats needing a home?
We are always willing to provide a home to abused, neglected and unwanted cats. However, our mission is to provide a safe, loving, nurturing haven for our cats which costs money. It's essential that we provide the very best for all the cats in our care. We take in cats as money and resources allow. Sadly, there are just too many cats needing a good home, and we must turn many away.
Do you rescue animals other than cats?
We only have the license to rescue exotic and native cats. Because Nugget, our coatimundi, is not listed on the Dangerous Wild Animals list, we were able to provide him with a home. However, we like to keep our focus on animals we know best...exotic and native cats.
Do you rescue domestic/feral cats?
Vicky did rescue all of our domestic cats from under houses and in dumpsters, etc., however, we are not a domestic/feral cat rescue facility.
Who is your biggest cat?
Raja, a Bengal tiger, weighs in at 536 pounds.
How do you tell the cats apart?
Like people, our cats come in different shapes and sizes. Some have rounder heads, others have eyes set close together, and still others have special markings and coloring. Every tiger has a unique stripe pattern which makes it easier to tell them apart.
Do you breed your cats?
So as not to contribute to the over breeding problem and the number of cats in captivity, we do not breed our cats. All of our animals have been altered or are in situations where they cannot breed.
Do you have any cubs?
All of our cubs/kittens are grown up now. Since we are a rescue facility, there may come a time when we rescue a cub/kitten or a pregnant female. We do not breed our cats.
Do you vaccinate your cats?
Yes, our cats receive the same vaccinations a domestic cat would receive. We also have them micro-chipped.
What is the difference between the different subspecies of tigers?
There are 9 subspecies of tigers of which 3 are now extinct. The difference between the different subspecies is reflected in their coloring, size, stripe pattern and geography. As is common with most tigers in captivity, none of our tigers are purebred. We list what we feel is their dominate subspecies on our webpage and on their name plates on the cages.
Do you have a special license to run your facility?
Yes. We are licensed by the USDA, permitted by our county and registered with the Texas Department of Health, zoonosis division. We must pass three annual inspections. In-Sync Exotics has been recognized by local authorities, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the SPCA, as an exemplary operation in all areas but particularly in the area of medical care.
Where do you get your funding?
We rely solely on the generosity of our supporters. Our funding comes from admission fees, donations, our adoption programs, fundraising events and occasional private grants. We do not receive any federal funding to help support our cats.
Do you bring animals to outreach programs?
For the safety of our cats and the people we visit we do not bring any animals to our outreach programs.
Is it safe to visit your facility?
The safety of our cats and visitors is a top priority. All of our cages are double enclosed and roofed.
Can I tour your facility?
Absolutely. We are opened to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM - 6 PM. We also offer group and night tours by appointment. For more information, visit our tours page.
Do you need volunteers?
Yes, we always need reliable volunteers. For more information, visit our volunteer page.
Do you offer Community Service hours?
Yes. Community service is offered 7 days a week from 10:30 - 4:30 and by appointment only. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Vicky at 972-442-6888 for more information.
