News Archives | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Opening the Vault: Sierra’s Legacy

If you have supported TCWR through the years, you know the importance and value of proper nutrition for each animal’s quality of life. Many of the animals TCWR rescues from private owners or are victims of the exotic pet trade suffer from malnutrition, a condition commonly seen throughout reputable sanctuaries. Unfortunately, many face lifelong complications […]

September 17, 2024 View Article

Responsible Pet Ownership Month

The month of September is known as Responsible Pet Ownership Month. Being a responsible pet owner means keeping your animals current on vaccinations, spaying or neutering your animals, and providing all the basic needs like shelter, food, and water. While getting a new pet is always exciting and fun, they are a lifetime commitment. […]

September 11, 2024 View Article

Falling for Big Cats: Why autumn is one of the best times of year to visit TCWR

As the air begins to crisp and the leaves transform into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows, there’s no better time to explore the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is nestled in this picturesque landscape, offering a unique blend of breathtaking scenery and a sanctuary for rescued cats. […]

August 28, 2024 View Article

Internships: An Integral Part in Spreading Our Mission

An internship is a professional learning opportunity that offers meaningful and practical work experience related to an individual’s field of study or career interest. This opportunity allows individuals, mainly students, to obtain skillsets, develop a profound understanding and knowledge, and provide for career exploration before entering their professional endeavors. Internships are essential in spreading Turpentine […]

August 21, 2024 View Article

Black Cat Appreciation Day: What is It and Why is It Important

Black cats historically rescued by TCWR, such as black leopards and jaguars, are rare in captivity and, therefore, have been in high demand among private owners and roadside zoos. The situation is quite the opposite for domestics, where animal shelters and rescue organizations struggle to provide black cats a second chance at life. Every year, […]

August 15, 2024 View Article

Leaving a Legacy for Generations to Come

Leaving a legacy gift for the Refuge is a powerful way to impact a mission you care about, extend your philanthropic efforts beyond your lifetime, and ensure that your values and support continue to benefit future generations. TCWR has been rescuing animals for over 32 years, but this was only made possible through the help […]

August 5, 2024 View Article

“Will” You Make a Lasting Impact this August?

Every year, August is designated as “Make a Will Month,” a time dedicated to encouraging individuals to think about their future and the future of their loved ones by creating a will. Despite its significance, many people delay this crucial task. Making a will is not an easy topic to discuss or do. August […]

August 1, 2024 View Article

The Significance of International Tiger Day in Wildlife Conservation

International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29th, is a global event dedicated to protecting and conserving tigers. It was established in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, where 13 tiger range countries committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022. As a result, in India, the tiger population has doubled from […]

July 24, 2024 View Article

Leptospirosis (Lepto) in domestic and wild animals

All pet owners should be aware of a bacteria called leptospirosis heading into the warmer months. Often referred to as Lepto, the bacteria can affect domestic cats, unvaccinated dogs, and other mammals, including humans. This bacteria typically spreads through the urine of infected animals, contaminating water sources, soil, or vegetation. Dogs are more commonly affected […]

July 16, 2024 View Article

Why the cats have benches and what they are used for

While we began to release animals into their habitats at Freedom Field in late 2023, there was quite a lot of work to be done. Over the following months, we continued construction to complete a total of 28 small cat habitats, 2 medium cat habitats, and 14 big cat habitats. After all the habitats were […]

July 12, 2024 View Article