Have you ever wanted to cuddle a coatimundi, kick it with a kangaroo, or chat with a capybara? Do that and more at five animal sanctuaries in North Carolina.
If you’re anything like me, you rely heavily on a steady stream of animals in your life and social media feed to get through rough days. And, if you’re maxed out on animals at home (like me), there are other ways to add living animals into the mix. Enter: animal sanctuaries, aka magical places that provide homes for animals that are sick or can’t survive in the wild. Often non-profit organizations that focus on rescuing, rehabilitating, or rehousing abandoned and injured animals, these animal sanctuaries in North Carolina welcome visitors, donations, volunteers, and, where possible, all the coos and cuddles their animals can get.
Carolina Tiger Rescue, Pittsboro
North Carolina’s only big cat sanctuary that’s both federally and GFAS (Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries)-accredited, Carolina Tiger Rescue is located on a 67-acre spot in Pittsboro, a growing part of the Research Triangle area. Founded by UNC geneticist Dr. Michael Bleyman in 1973 as the Carnivore Evolutionary Research Institute, the organization’s focus has evolved from breeding and studying big cats to rescue and conservation education.
It’s currently home to 13 species of animals, including lions, tigers, and caracals, many of whom were abandoned and abused in places like roadside zoos and traveling circuses. Others come as surrendered exotic pets, and others from tanking animal facilities like “Tiger King Park” from the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King.” In fact, four of Joe Exotic’s tigers now reside in large enclosures that allow visitors to observe the animals in natural settings.
Sadly, you can’t cuddle or pet the animals here, but you can help support them by volunteering, donating, or touring the facility (done by appointment only). Pro tip: Follow CTR on Instagram for countless hits of dopamine.
Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary, Rougemont
Since 2016, this nonprofit has been rescuing and rehabilitating animals that tend to get overlooked and abandoned because of factors (or blind spots, hence the name) like age, species, color, or disabilities. A self-described plant-based 501(c)(3) charity, Blind Spot is owned and operated by vegan couple Alesja and Alex Daehnrich.
Today, more than 150 rescued animals live on this 41-acre sanctuary located in the greater Triangle in rural Rougemont (about 20 miles north of Durham), including pigs, alpacas, donkeys, emus, and horses, among others. While the duo places as many of them as possible in loving adoptive homes, they also provide lifelong care to the creatures that aren’t adoptable.
Want to support Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary? The org offers guided educational tours on Saturdays at 2 p.m. While the sanctuary itself is open year-round, tours are only available throughout the spring. Other ways to help out include volunteering, donating, and short-term fostering. You can also shop its online store, which features a variety of merchandise, including an original children’s book.
Liberty Acres Animal Haven & Equine Rescue, Liberty
Have you ever dreamt of cuddling a coatimundi, kicking it with a kangaroo, or having a chat with a capybara? You can do all that and more at Liberty Acres Animal Haven & Equine Rescue. Located about 20 minutes from Asheboro in the town of Liberty, on 60 sprawling acres, the rescue offers visitors the chance to learn more about animals they don’t regularly see through public and private guided tours and a variety of hands-on animal encounters.
Its furry animal residents include horses, kangaroos, wallabies, sloths, fennec foxes, and more. Liberty Acres is also home to a number of exotic birds, including the Vietnamese pheasant, which many researchers believe is functionally extinct in the wild and is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Fearless guests will enjoy the reptile barn featuring slithery critters galore.
Animal Park at the Conservation Center, Burlington
Education and incredibly cute critters converge at the nonprofit Animal Park at the Conservation Center. Founded in 2001 as a home for exotic animals, it’s grown to include educating the public about wildlife education and conservation, to the point that it’s become a popular destination for field trips.
Home to 60+ exotic animals, including lions, tigers, dingos, binturongs, and ring-tailed lemurs, among others. The animals come from diverse backgrounds and now enjoy a life full of tender, loving care. They’re available for viewing in close proximity via weekend tours and scheduled events with advance booking. They also offer year-round passes.
Final Run Rescue, Leicester
Situated on 50 acres of pristine land alongside Montgomery Sky Farm, Final Run Rescue is the farm’s “501c3 heartbeat.” Launched in 2017, Final Run rescues and rehabilitates animals, many of which have serious medical issues. The goal? “To provide rescue and rehabilitation to animals in need, while also granting them a final and forever home to run free.”
The rescue’s adorable menagerie includes a variety of pigs and horses, as well as dogs, goats, capybaras, donkeys, mules, and a precocious llama named Fava Bean. The focus on gentle, holistic care for the animals works in tandem with the farm’s regenerative land practices.
Want to help support these babies (and get some cuddles in the process)? Final Run offers farm visits and special events where folks can do just that. Peruse and book an outing here, indulge in some retail therapy here, or simply donate here.
