PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL RETIREMENT CENTER
For the REST of their lives.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
There are a number of issues associated with keeping non-domestic, aka "wild" animals in captivity. Most captive wild animals exist for the purpose of entertainment, to be exploited for money. Most suffer from lack of adequate space, nutrition, medical care, and freedoms of choice necessary to thrive. Many ultimately pose a serious threat to public safety, due to poor living conditions. For example, three adult tigers were surrendered to the sanctuary by a breeder and private owner of nearly 40 tigers. The wildcats lived in a back-yard cage complex that resembled a "puppy mill", under the care of an owner who was a convicted felon who was prohibited by law from owning a firearm. As cages fell into disrepair and the man was unwilling or unable to properly maintain the secure housing of dangerous animals, the federal government stepped in to shut down the complex. By that time, hundreds of wildcats has been produced and sold, bartered, and traded to exploiters across the nation.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Field Trips
Supervised, educational field trips for K-12 feature sanctuary tours, personal animal biographies, bio-facts, and other activities aimed at meeting a variety of Indiana’s Academic Standards.
Internship Program
Unpaid internships requiring a minimum of 400 hours of service are offered for college-enrolled students or graduates seeking careers in animal-related fields such as zoology, veterinary, wildlife management, ecology, etc.
Job Shadow Program
Job Shadow opportunities are offered for individuals ages 12 and up to meet career planning class requirements for several area schools, colleges, and universities. This program is also used to determine 'readiness' for application to the volunteer program for ages 16 and up.
Guided Sanctuary Tours
Supervised educational sanctuary tours offer the opportunity to observe animal residents as informed guides share the stories of each animal's personal captive history and the events that led to them needing permanent refuge; visitors are informed of the challenges of the exotic pet trade, current state of laws and regulations (or lack of), dangers of owning non-domestic animals, and more. Guests are required to abide by strict rules and expectations of respectful behavior to ensure the animals' comfort at all times.
Vocational Volunteer Program
The 'vocational' volunteer program is designed for high school students who qualify to spend a portion of their school day outside the classroom to learn a vocation in a supervised environment. We mentor high school students interested in learning more about careers such as veterinary science, zookeeping, and other animal-related fields.
Advocacy for Captive Animals
As a member of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance, and a resource in our community, the sanctuary actively advocates for responsible animal care and public safety, and has endorsed legislative efforts as well as participated in the drafting of legislation.
Where we work
Awards
Accredited Charity 2012
Better Business Bureau
Reader's Choice Awards Winner - multiple categories 2012
Fort Wayne Newsapapers
Top-Rated Charity 2012
GreatNonProfits.org
Top-Rated Green Charity 2012
GreatNonProfits.org
Top 10 Summer Gotta-Do's in Indiana 2012
Indiana Office of Tourism
External reviews
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We seek to ultimately raise public awareness and demand for better laws to protect the welfare of captive exotic animals. We advocate ourselves, and encourage citizens to advocate, to stop the use of animals in "entertainment"; to stop the exploitation of such animals purely for profit; to stop the captive breeding of such animals when done outside of a bonafide species conservation effort managed by scientists and biologists properly trained/educated and engaged in actual wildlife conservation efforts in native habitats. We strive to help eliminate the need for refuge for unwanted exotic animals bred and born in captivity, unsuitable for re-release into the wild, unsuitable for helping to save their wild counterparts through species survival efforts.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. Advocate verbally to all who visit Black Pine.
2. Advocate on social media to all who will follow us.
3. Develop and publish literature for distribution to the public during outreach activities.
4. Develop and host educational "camps" for children, to reach the next generation.
5. Conduct educational guided sanctuary tours to reach a captive audience who have an interest/compassion for animals.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The sanctuary currently operates the refuge on an 18-acre plot of land, of which several acres remain undeveloped. Animal husbandry is overseen by a team of professionals who hold bachelor's degrees and have significant experience and training, and work under the leadership of a team of veterinarians. Well-established and proven volunteer and internship programs provide additional staff support. The sanctuary's Annual Fund, for general operating expenses, have historically been sustained through well-respected and unique educational programs for all ages, as well as annual events, membership program, and an on-site retail store.
The sanctuary's leadership is made up of business professionals, legal counsel, and others in the community who are invested in carrying out the strategic plan and vision of the organization.
The sanctuary is very well-respected, with local media support and trust as a local "expert" in animal welfare-related issues. Over 50,000 "fans" follow on Facebook.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have accomplished the goal of becoming an "expert" in our community for animal welfare for captive exotic animals kept outside of AZA-accredited zoological institutions.
We have accomplished the goal of establishing our mission as different than that of an AZA-accredited zoological institution.
The sanctuary is pending "Verification" with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
We are charter members of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance.
We were leaders in an effort to draft a new local Animal Welfare Ordinance.
We have provided permanent refuge to over 250 displaced, captive-raised exotic animals and educated more than 135 interns as well as nearly 1,000 volunteers.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL RETIREMENT CENTER
Board of directorsas of 01/18/2024
Mr. Barry Rochford
Dekko Foundation
Term: 2023 - 2024
Ted Storer
Beers, Mallers
Cindy O'Brien
Retired
Barry Rochford
Dekko Foundation
Luke Funk
Christian Souers
Steve Smith
Retired
Jim Kratzat
Retired
Jessica Fulk
Parkview
Jan Blair
Retired
Tom Tearney
First Source Bank
Steve Bobay
Auburn Vet Clinic
Karen Hoag
Retired
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Transgender Identity
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Sexual orientation
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Disability
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