Big Cats Creative Center by Lily

Big Cats Creative Center by Lily - February 2020 Scholarship Essay

I would like to start a non-profit organization with two purposes.

First, it will serve as a safe place for big cats, rescued from homes where they are kept illegally. Second, it will provide a place where artists and students can study these beautiful creatures firsthand, in a natural setting.

At understated best, keeping exotic animals in private homes is unethical and dangerous. The number of big cats held captive by private owners is not well documented. Anecdotal reports far exceed academic studies and hard statistics. Who advertises their backyard tiger, right? State laws are inconsistent. Many have no explicit bans on private ownership of exotic felines. HR 1380 was introduced into US Congress in February 2019. Called the Big Cat Public Safety Act, this bill aims to give sharper teeth (ha!) to older federal laws protecting exotic animals and endangered species.

Still, lax laws, coupled with the challenges of enforcing them, lead well-meaning citizens to take in adorable kitty cats who grow into enormous creatures. Abject danger aside, care and feeding of these animals are expensive propositions. What happens when the owners can’t afford to take care of their 300 pound pet?

Fortunately, there are many rescue organizations dedicated to saving wild animals from unsafe, inappropriate living conditions. Dozens of big cat sanctuaries dot the US. However, only fifteen are endorsed by Tigers in America, the largest US advocacy group specifically for tiger conservation. My non-profit, Big Cat Creative Center, will join these ranks by adhering to the strict criteria set forth by Tigers in America.

It is my vision to dedicate a large piece to land as a refuge, on which the cats can roam freely.
Do not think me naïve, here. I know it is a huge undertaking to build and maintain a sanctuary that meets strict ethical and safety standards. It will be labor intensive and very, very expensive. I’ll need a huge capital investment and a steady stream of income to keep my dream going. But, one step at a time. For the purpose of this essay, let’s just say, I’m working on a plan.

Now, fast forward to the time when my sanctuary is open for visitors.

The second half of my dream is to offer classes and workshops, enabling artists of all ages and skill levels, to study my feline family for their own works. From safe distances, they can view lions, tigers, panthers, and others, in habitats designed for each species’ unique needs. Whether it’s a tiger lounging on a tree branch or a lion bathing in the sun, these creatures will serve as living studies in movement, anatomy, portraiture, or just artistic fun. As their steward, I will do my part to ensure these big cats, whether endangered or not, receive the awe and respect they deserve.