Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary

Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Safe Haven provides lifelong care to abandoned, confiscated and surrendered big cats, bears, small wildcats and native wildlife not eligible for reintroduction.  

Several years ago, a couple located in the Tonapah area of Nevada, noticed two very small cougar cubs on their property.  Several days later, the cubs were still there and the mother never returned.  Not quite sure what to do, the couple drove the 5-hour trip to bring the cubs to Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary.   The cubs weighed only approximately 12 pounds and were fully spotted.  Lacking any hunting skills, they most likely would have perished.  After contacting Fish & Wildlife, the decision was made to permanently place them with Safe Haven.  Cougar cubs Melanie and Joan were housed together and settled into their new home.

However, we only had a smaller cage with a top to house them in.  Although that worked temporarily, our now young adult cougars require more spacious housing.  Both girls will be provided lifelong care, and we need to be sure they have a large, spacious habitat for running, playing and exhibiting their natural behaviors.  Cougars can live into their late teens and even early twenties, so we need to provide them a more appropriate habitat.  This new habitat will not only provide more space, but will also include enrichment structures to play and climb on, log piles, mature trees and a large den that can continue to house both girls together.

We currently have a 10,000 square foot habitat available for both cubs, however, it is an open top habitat and will require an attached roof.

We have initiated a fundraiser to raise the estimated $72,814.00 for our local fencing company, to build the interior grid and roof.  With your support, the contractors can start construction as early as late December.  Moving both girls into a large habitat is a priority as they have waited longer than we had anticipated. 

Your gift will help tremendously to help provide cougars Melanie and Joan a new habitat.  Thank you!