Conservator's Center Projects

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Project	Priority	Started	Description
Feed The Animals	Critical	Jan-01-2009	While much of the Center's food is donated, there are often times we must additional food. We also provide a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements to insure the animals' health. Costs vary based on species and size of animal. Big cat supplements average $25 per week, while fruit eaters (e.g, lemurs and binturongs) require a special diet averaging $40/week. Special needs animals like Roy Bobcat may cost as much as $6 per day, almost $200 per month. Any contributions for this fund are greatly appreciated.
Animal Enrichment	Important	Jan-01-2009	In order to keep captive wildlife emotionally healthy and happy, we have to keep them busy. Some enrichment is simple and easily replenished like scenting cardboard with mint or providing the cats with Christmas trees. Other enrichment provides a permanent structure or lasting toy for their enjoyment. Having a fund available for this purpose allows us to provide enrichment for the animals most in need. Kira Lioness has used her giant boomer ball to provide herself physical therapy for her damaged back leg, while many new arrivals get their first toy thanks to this fund.
Adding Sponsor Signs	Needed	Aug-25-2009	CCI needs to recognize those individuals sponsoring our animals. We now have name signs for all of the animals and need to add to those signs the names of sponsors
Den Boxes	Critical	Sep-01-2009	The Center has 5 small cat residents in need of new or repaired den boxes. Several large cats need repairs to their den boxes as well. A single small cat den box is $300, while the average large cat den box repair is $225.
Education and Visitors' Center	Critical	Apr-01-2010	For 10 years, the Conservators' Center has operated out of a small, private residence. That's going to change in a big way this summer! Governors Club, a gorgeous community in Chapel Hill, is donating the 3,000-square-foot modular building that has been housing their administrative offices. The buildings are now on site, but much work remains. The building will allow us to better accommodate the growing number of visitors to the Center. It includes classroom space for large school, scout, and other groups; offices for our staff; a large deck for picnicking and events; designated volunteer space; a real gift shop; and flush toilets instead of a port-o-potty! We now need: Siding installed Masonry beneath the building Interior painted Deck replaced (or until then, we need steps and a handicapped access ramp) Wiring and hookups Plumbing connected We probably need another $20,000 to complete the dream.
Replace leaky spigots	Critical	Nov-16-2010	We need to replace 4 leaky spigots in animal areas at $200 each
Repair big cat den roofs	Critical	Nov-16-2010	We must repair areas of 3 den roofs of big cats who have made holes in them. $50 each
Expansion areas for enclosures	Critical	Nov-16-2010	We are desperate for an expansion areas for key enclosures
USDA Requirements Program	Important	Dec-01-2010	When we have USDA inspections, we often find new rules in place or changes in what is required of us to maintain our USDA approval. Currently we need to replace rope barrier at large animal enclosures with 4 foot-tall chain link fence -- average of $350 per enclosure (9). We also need to extend the height of some enclosures to meet new requirements, cost currently unknown
Field Kitchen	Important	Dec-01-2010	The field kitchen, where all meals are prepared for our special animals, has never been completed. We need wall interiors and cabinets.
Winter housing	Important	Dec-01-2010	While most of our animals can cope with the winter weather, at least with heating pads in their dens, some of the smaller more active animals need larger, heated quarters during cold weather, when they cannot go outside. Our lemurs, Cookie and Jeremiah, would really appreciate such accommodations.
Safety Cage Entrances	Important	Dec-01-2010	Several enclosures do not have safety cage entrances. For both staff and animals, this is a needed project. These safety cage entrances cost about $550 each.