Photograph by Shelly Benson

In the words of lifetime adopters:

We'll never forget the day we first met Maggie lioness. We were introduced to a pride of four lions that had been rescued from deplorable conditions at a breeding facility in Ohio. The story of their past was gut-wrenching, yet it warmed my heart to see that, a mere two years later, these beautiful cats were thriving in a large, sunny enclosure at the Conservators' Center. Each one was healthy and happy, but Maggie, the "omega," or least dominant female in the pride, seemed a bit lonely. Often bullied by the other lionesses, she found refuge behind her den box, and would plead quietly for attention with anyone who happened by.

Mike and I planned to adopt an animal that day: The moment we looked at Maggie's sad, golden eyes behind her feathery eyelashes, we knew immediately that we had found our girl. Today, Maggie no longer hides behind a den box, but will come out to greet "her people" whenever we visit. She loves when we talk to her sweetly, give her treats of stew beef, and offer her peppermint oil-scented pieces of cardboard. We marvel at her power and beauty, and are humbled that such a magnificent creature chooses to spend time with us. Mike and I tell people that we adopted Maggie because she needed us. But sometimes I think we adopted Maggie because WE needed HER.

There are more than 100 Lifetime Adopters and volunteers like us and, just as each animal has a story, each human can tell you what drew him or her to the Center. Some wanted to teach tour groups about conservation efforts for binturongs. Others wanted to roll up their sleeves and build a home for a tiger. And many, like Mike and I, fell hopelessly in love with one animal and could think of nothing more fulfilling than building a relationship with and supporting him or her.

Beccome a Lifetime adopter!