San Diego’s non-profit big cat and exotic animal sanctuary, Lions Tigers & Bears is celebrating World Animal Day with a unique Blessing of the Animals as part of an international effort to raise awareness about animal welfare.
Celebrated around the globe each year on Oct. 4, World Animal Day coincides with the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
Father Jason Samuels, of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine will deliver a blessing to all the rescued animals living at the 93-acre sanctuary including lions, tigers, bears, bobcats, leopards, mountain lions and more during the guided 10 a.m. educational visit at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.
Visitors will meet the rescued animals and learn about the issues facing animals in the exotic animal trade during this two-hour guided educational visit.
Donations in honor of World Animal Day are also welcome to support lifesaving rescue and lifelong care for rescued animals. It costs over $10,000 per year for basic care of just one big cat or bear, and the sanctuary relies on private donations.
Located just outside Alpine on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest, the sanctuary is home to over 60 animals representing 19 different species, including African lions, tigers, American black bears, Himalayan black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, leopards, an African serval, bobcats and dozens of rescued ranch animals.
A visit to Lions Tigers & Bears is informative and inspirational. Bears once confined in concrete pits, lions previously prodded to perform tricks, and baby tigers torn from their mothers to be drugged, chained and posed for photo ops – all now have lifelong refuge and care. Rescued from squalid conditions, these animals enjoy expansive habitats with green grass, refreshing ponds, nutritionally-appropriate diets, veterinary care, behavioral enrichment, and clean air, under sunny blue skies.
Proceeds support lifesaving care for rescued animals. Reservations are required for this event. Tickets: $26 – $143 Reservations required free to members.
