Giving Tuesday has always been a special day at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR). Each year, our supporters come together to celebrate lives saved, transformations made possible, and the collective impact of compassionate action. Traditionally, we premiere a new documentary film on this day—a visual tribute to the year’s rescues and the animals whose lives you’ve helped change.
But 2025 was not a typical year.
This year tested—and proved—the strength of our mission. Over the past twelve months, TCWR teams have deployed to Nevada, California, and Canada for some of the largest and most complex rescues in our 32-year history. These rescues stretched across thousands of miles, required intricate permitting and medical logistics, and involved dozens of animals in crisis. As our resources and teams were called into the field, we made a deliberate choice:
We prioritized rescue.
We prioritized the animals.
We prioritized the mission.
A Year of Major Rescues: Nevada, California, and Canada
2025 brought three massive, multi-state and international operations:
Nevada
A large-scale emergency removal from a failed exotic animal facility required immediate action. Many of the animals arrived dehydrated, underweight, frightened, and exhibiting signs of chronic stress.
California
A complex, multi-agency rescue of big cats living in unsafe, substandard enclosures. Several cats required urgent veterinary intervention upon intake.
Canada
One of the most logistically challenging rescues in TCWR history. This international effort involved extensive veterinary coordination, federal permits from two countries, neonatal care for cubs, and long-distance transport. The stakes were exceptionally high—but every life made it to safety.
These rescues consumed thousands of staff hours, extensive veterinary care, transportation costs, and habitat preparation… and we would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Why Giving Tuesday Is Different This Year
Instead of debuting a full documentary, we spent this year saving lives in real time. Production took a back seat while our teams were on the road and onsite with animals who needed immediate intervention.
However, we have been documenting every step of this historic rescue year.
A New Documentary Is Coming
We are excited to announce a forthcoming film that chronicles all three major rescues, along with the powerful transformations that followed. On Giving Tuesday, during our Refuge Round Table, we will debut an exclusive teaser trailer and invite supporters to ask questions directly to TCWR leadership.
Giving Tuesday 2025: What to Expect
🎉 Milestone Enrichment Celebrations & Giveaways
Throughout the day, we’ll continue our beloved Giving Tuesday traditions with enrichment celebrations and fun giveaways for supporters. You can find the full schedule at:
➡️ turpentinecreek.org/giving-tuesday
💛 Transformation Stories
This year’s theme is Transformation, because transformation is our mission.
At TCWR, we rescue animals not only from physical neglect, but from lifetimes of psychological trauma—from cub petting, inconsistent handling, breeding operations, and punishment-based environments. Bringing them to safety is only the first step.
Physical Healing Is the Easy Part
With proper nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, and spacious grassy habitats, the physical recovery often comes quickly.
Mental Healing Takes Time
Emotional recovery requires patience, consistency, and compassionate management. Many animals must learn—often for the first time—that:
- people can be trustworthy
- food arrives on schedule
- their environment is safe
- they can rest without fear
To support their mental well-being, TCWR adapts its environment and routines:
- Moving animals to quieter areas like Freedom Field or Rescue Ridge.
- Adding privacy barriers on habitats for those overwhelmed by the sight of people.
- Rearranging the daily schedule, including lawn care, feeding routes, or staff movement, to minimize stress triggers.
At TCWR, mental health is never an afterthought—it’s a priority.
When an animal needs a quieter world, we build one for them.
🎥 Refuge Round Table Chat
Join TCWR Leadership on Tuesday evening to discuss, in great detail, the journey of our first international rescue. We will share more information about the new cubs, Reggie and Archie, and much more!
Your Support Makes Transformation Possible
Every rescue, every recovery, every transformation—you make possible.
Giving Tuesday 2025 is not just a celebration. It is a reminder that even in a year of overwhelming need, supporters like you allow us to say yes when animals need us most.
Thank you for standing beside us during a year of immense challenge, unforgettable rescue, and profound transformation.
Because of you, they are safe.
Because of you, they are healing.
Because of you, their lives are forever changed.
More Information on TCWR’s 2025 Giving Tuesday Events Page