He conceived the idea for a wild animal orphanage when he was asked to house and care for a cougar named Tabitha who was brought in by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. She never left, and the Wild Animal Orphanage was born.
Each year the PA Game Commission and other law enforcement agencies rescue
a number of exotic felines from inadequate or abusive homes and businesses.
Unfortunately, these agencies are not able to care for these animals and there
aren't many places willing to take in a wayward lion. Zoo's aren't always
interested, and neither is the gang from the old pride. Once an animal has
been tainted by human contact, an orphanage is usually its last hope. But
these safe havens are few and far between. Dr. Sheperd reports that he has
found facilities in North Carolina and Texas, but his is the only one in Pennsylvania.
