The “A Night in the Wild” opening night celebration will feature a preview of entertaining and educational demonstrations with exotic animal performers from across Florida as well as the sanctuary’s own big cats trained with gentle handling, praise and treats by Big Cat Habitat’s founder Kay Rosaire and her son, Clayton. 

•  Limited tickets are available for the event at $150 per person with table sponsorships starting at $2,000.  More information is available at www.BigCatHabitat.org or by calling (941) 928-9960. 

            Attendees will be able to stroll the grounds to live music during the cocktail hour and meet the sanctuary’s host of lions, tigers, white tigers, primates, lemurs, bears and other animals that have been given a lifetime home.  Dinner and entertainment along with live and silent auctions will be under the big top and in the demonstration facility.           

 The Animal Extravaganza will begin the following Friday, Feb. 12, and run for four weekends through Sunday, Mar. 7.  The “A Night in the Wild” opening night celebration and Animal Extravaganza provide funds for Big Cat Habitat to continue providing a safe home for exotic and other animals that are not accepted by pet shelters.About Big Cat Habitat:                                                      

Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit safe haven for big cats, bears, monkeys, lemurs, exotic birds, horses, goats and other animals in need.  The sanctuary was founded by Kay Rosaire, who has 30 years of experience working with, and caring for, exotic animals and who began rescuing big cats in 1987.  Big Cat Habitat provides education to the public to foster appreciation for the animals and to raise awareness about the importance of habitat preservation.  The sanctuary is located 1 mile east of I-75 at 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. 

More information is available at www.BigCatHabitat.org or by calling 941-371-6377.

Photos by Cliff Roles. cliffroles.com