The Atlas Obscura Podcast Exotic Feline Rescue Center (Classic)
Mar 27, 2026
Joe Taft, founder and operator of the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana who has cared for hundreds of big cats. He describes the center’s scale and why many captive-bred lions, tigers, and leopards cannot be released. He tells stories of human-bonded animals like Frosty, contrasts USDA standards with his larger enclosures, and explains why private ownership often fails.
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Captive Bred Cats Can’t Be Rewilded
- Many rescued big cats are captive-bred or human-bonded and cannot survive in the wild.
- Joe describes Frosty the tiger from a Las Vegas magic act as human-bonded, fed and trained, making release impossible.
Provide Spacious Naturalistic Enclosures
- Go beyond minimum USDA enclosure standards and provide large, varied habitats for big cats.
- Joe's enclosures are often over 100 feet long with trees, hills, springs, and diverse vegetation.
Affection Doesn’t Nullify Predatory Instincts
- Familiarity and affection from humans can make predators dangerous rather than tame.
- Joe emphasizes that a 500-pound tiger that 'likes you' will still kill because instincts can trigger unpredictable aggression.