Zoey is a very petite serval, but she makes up for her small size with her big attitude.  Zoey always has something to say and hisses often.  She is sometimes hard to find because she is often hiding in the grass, keeping an eye on anyone nearby.  Zoey’s small size is likely due to a lack of nutrition as a kitten.  Zoey was a former pet who likely was not fed a proper carnivore diet of strictly meat or given enough room to roam.  Zoey is a natural on tour, showing everyone her fast paw strike and is a good reminder of how wild she still is.

Born November 13, 2007

Rescued November 13, 2013

How Zoey Came to the Sanctuary

Zoey was rescued from a private home in Hendersonville, NC. Police found her abandoned in a crate in the backyard when they arrived to serve arrest warrants for her owners. She was taken to a veterinary clinic and fed a diet of spinach and corn. When Carolina Tiger Rescue staff arrived to pick her up, she was incredibly cooperative when she realized we had chicken! Servals are obligate carnivores, so after eating vegetables for a few days, she was starving. Her eagerness for chicken made loading her very easy.

Personality

Zoey is a very petite serval, but don't let that fool you. She is just as feisty as any other! She always has something to say and hisses often. When she first arrived, staff members nicknamed her "Sassy" before choosing the name Zoey. Visitors often remark that they didn't see her, but that's because you have to know where to look. She's usually hiding in the grass right in front of you! Zoey's particularly small size pairs well with her distinctive serval markings, making her an expert at camouflage, but she'll still come out of hiding for a chicken treat!

Description

Zoey is recognizable by her short stature. Also, if one looks closely, they may notice a bit of a crooked tail, due to multiple breaks. This is likely from hitting her tail against something in her enclosure before she was rescued.

Where in Sanctuary

Zoey is located in the Pear Orchard section of the sanctuary across the tour path from Caprichio, India, and Carolina Tiger.

Pet Trade

North Carolina is one of four states were it is still legal to own a non-native species. In other words, it is legal in the state of North Carolina to own a lion, tiger, and other wild cats. Zoey is a direct result of this lack of legislation. Due to the ease with which animals such as Zoey can be acquired, people are obtaining them as pets and then realizing, sometimes at the expense of a human life or the animal's life, that this is not a good idea. Animals such as Zoey deserve to be respected as the wild animals they are.

Leptailurus serval

About Carolina Tiger Rescue

Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

Carolina Tiger Rescue

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-4684 (919) 542-4454 info@carolinatigerrescue.org

Wildlife should be in the Wild

Rescue

Education

  • We believe the ideal home for wildlife is in the wild.
  • We believe it is critical to conserve their native habitats.
  • We believe wild animals should not be kept as pets.
  • We believe captive breeding should ONLY be done in accordance with Species Survival plans.
  • We believe all wild animals, both captive and in their native habitats, deserve to be treated with respect and not exploited for entertainment and commercial purposes.

Visit Carolina Tiger Rescue

Tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Public Tours

Twilight Tours

Coming out for a tour is a great way to learn more about the animals that call Carolina Tiger Recue home. We offer many different types of tours.  Public tours are great for adults and families. Twilight tours are for adults only (18 years of age and older). Tiger Tales are a perfect option if you want to bring out really young children. Find the tour that is right for you and enjoy a walk through the sanctuary.

For all tours, tickets must be purchased in advance.

Have Fun Learning at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Field Trips

Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips link

Virtual Field Trips

Education is key to our mission.  We enjoy teaching "kids" of all ages!  Our field trips, both virtual and onsite, are ideal for groups of kids.  Our "Kid for a Day" Adult Camp provides a unique learning opportunity while allowing adults to channel their inner child.  While all of these opportunities are structured differently, in the end we want everyone to walk away knowing more about the animals we care for and what they can do to help protect them.

Bobcat at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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BOBCATS
Caracal at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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CARACALS
Coatimundi at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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COATIMUNDIS
Cougar at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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COUGARS
Kinkajou at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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KINKAJOUS
Lion at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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LIONS
NGSD at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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NGSD
Porcupine at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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Porcupines
Raccoon at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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Raccoons
Red Wolf at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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Red Wolves
Serval at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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SERVALS
Tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue
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TIGERS
Animals
Games
Activities
Keeper Stripes

Get involved at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Individual volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Individual Volunteering

Group volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Group Volunteering

There are so many ways to be a part of Carolina  Tiger Rescue.  Individual volunteers are able to help in many aspects of our work, including animal care, tour guides, construction, and gift shop assistance.  Work groups come from community groups, colleges, work places, and more!  It’s a great way to spend a day and it helps care for the cats.