Our Mission

To provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected big cats with an emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars.

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Coming Soon

We are developing a brand new Visitor Education Center! The Education Program at Turpentine Creek is dedicated to helping visitors discover how they can help protect exotic animals and have a memorable experience while visiting the Refuge. It is through education that we can help spread awareness about the struggles animals face due to the exotic pet trade and how everyone can be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Preliminary work for the Visitor Education Center has begun! Construction of a new public water system well will help us not only prepare for the new Visitor Education Center, but also allow us to rescue more animals, expand our facility, and get ready for the future!

How You Can Help Us Now

Educational Opportunities

Kids Day Camps

Sign your cub up to enjoy 3 days of educational activities, tours, crafts, and much more with Turpentine Creek’s Education Department.

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Upcoming Programs

We offer a variety of programs about the animals that call the Refuge home and where they are found in the wild, species conservation, biodiversity, animal adaptations, and so much more.

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Public Outreach

Through educating the public we hope to spread awareness about the exotic pet trade and the struggles animals face in captivity and in the wild.

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Featured Event

Big Cats & Chrome Music Festival

Sep 28

We're revving up the family-friendly fun this Fall on Saturday, September 28, 2019 during Bikes, Blues and BBQ week. "If you're ridin' chrome, help us give animals a home!" Learn more and purchase your tickets today!

Other Events at the Refuge

Sep 28

Big Cats & Chrome Music Festival

Oct 04

Keepers Day

International Congress of Zookeepers - World Wide Keepers Day

Oct 25

Howl-o-ween spooktacular

The only day of the year that you can see the animals after dark! Join us for a night of fun, felines and frights!

All Events

Our visitors say it best

My fiance and I found Turpentine Creek on a list of things to do in Eureka Springs and we were not disappointed! Hannah was so knowledgeable and happy to guide just the two of us on our tour, even in the 20 degree weather. The animals seemed to be fairly active in the cooler weather which was fun to see. All the staff were very friendly.

Ryan H.

I couldn't recommend this place more! We stayed in one of the suites and got to observe not only the animals, but also the hard work that goes into caring for them. Getting to hear the lions caroling in the morning was too cool. We'll definitely be staying again!

Holly P.

“It was amazing to see the large number of big cats in one location that is not a zoo. This place only takes rescue cats and as it is a non-profit sanctuary, they depend entirely on donations. If you love animals and are in the Eureka Springs area, you should visit.”

Amy V.

We had a week vacation and this was our highlight. I highly recommend visiting and staying in the Congo suite! Great experience, wonderful staff, and awesome purpose!!! We will definitely visit again!

Ryan H.

Pretty sure I just left a piece of my heart at the exit, didn't want to leave! Amazingly dedicated staff, 100% straight forward, 100% aware of each animal's rescue and recovery story and their individual personalities. Thoroughly impressed and inspired by this facility, the staff and it's mission.

Tyler B.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Rescuing Exotic Cats Nationwide

Turpentine Creek is a non-profit organization that provides lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected "big cats". Our goal is to provide a lifetime sanctuary for all rescued animals with the care, safety, and well being of the animals as the number one priority. All animals are treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve. Our Eureka Springs, Arkansas, refuge houses nearly 100 animals including tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, bears, ligers, servals, a monkey, a coatimundi, and a macaw.