Blog | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Rescue, It is a Way of Life

What does it mean to rescue? Is it a one-time thing to feel good at the moment? Or, is it a calling for us as individuals to uplift those who have fallen and be there for those in need? The word rescue can mean many things to many different people. As part of the culture […]

March 14, 2023 View Article

African Serval Saved After Surviving Winter In Rural Missouri

“You never know what the day will bring around here!” said our president, Tanya Smith, after receiving a call for an emergency rescue roughly two hours away in rural Missouri. A farmer occasionally saw what he described as a “crazy-looking cat” on his property over six months. They started to notice feathers and bone […]

January 20, 2023 View Article

Tiger Queens at Turpentine Creek

Tiger Queens at Turpentine Creek What comes to mind when you hear “Tiger King”? Is it cub petting? Is it a comical dispute between tiger owner and tiger rescuer? During the Pandemic, there were millions of international eyes watching the dramatic show that captured the audience as it revealed a world and industry most knew […]

January 18, 2023 View Article

Top 5 Best Ranked Dog Parks In the Country

Dog parks are an excellent resource for physical and mental stimulation, socialization, and a place to get their “zoomies” out. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best-ranked dog parks in the country, but first, let’s be prepared: Bring your leash and collar/harness Bring dog waste bags to pick up after your pup Have […]

January 18, 2023 View Article

Triplet Tiger Cubs Overcome the Unforeseen

In May of 2021, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge assisted the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in their seizure of tigress Priscilla and three other female big cats suspected of being pregnant from the Tiger King park in Oklahoma. The DOJ feared that the cubs would ‘disappear’ before the main seizure of animals could take place […]

August 19, 2022 View Article

Lady the Lioness Living Her New Life

Abandoned lioness given a second chance at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge This June, Turpentine Creek rescued a nameless, elderly lioness. Lady, as she was named by one of our longtime supporters, was one of four female big cats living in an abandoned roadside zoo in Adair, Oklahoma. The attraction had been shut down by the […]

August 19, 2022 View Article

Foods Not to Feed Your Pet

A common question that many pet parents ask is, “can my pet eat this?” Listed below is a brief overview of foods that are toxic for both cats and dogs. We’ve also gathered a few common toxic household plants and symptoms of poisoning in your pet. Both the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of […]

August 19, 2022 View Article

Think You Might Have a Resident Big Cat in Your Area?

Here are a couple of tips to help you decipher the signs! September 23, 2021 Claw marks in the paw print usually signal a dog. However, conversely, not all dogs leave claw prints. A mountain lion (often referred to as a “panther,” “cougar,” and many other names) has retractable claws that are usually not extended […]

September 23, 2021 View Article

Sasha Cougar Safe at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Cougar Rescued from Bronx Doing Well at TCWR Sasha, a pet cougar rescued from a Bronx home arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas this week. The 80-pound 11-month-old mountain lion was brought to the Refuge after her previous owner contacted TCWR President, Tanya Smith. Through a joint effort between the sanctuary, the Bronx […]

September 16, 2021 View Article

The First In-Ground Pool is Complete

Tigers BB King & Mack Love Their New Permanent Pool July 8, 2021 We’ve been working to put a real, in-ground pool in every habitat a water-loving creature may find themselves in at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Last weekend, we filled the first of many in the habitat currently occupied by tiger brothers BB King […]

July 8, 2021 View Article