Knowledge becomes most powerful when people know where to turn, what questions to ask, and how to act on what they discover. This resource center brings together trusted organizations, government agencies, reporting tools, inspection records, and other sources that can help the public better understand the systems responsible for protecting captive and wild animals. Whether you are researching an animal facility, learning about sanctuary standards, reporting suspected wildlife crime or animal-welfare concerns, or simply looking for reliable information, these resources provide a starting point for becoming more informed, engaged, and effective. Transparency strengthens accountability—and informed citizens can help make both possible.
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)
The only globally recognized organization providing accreditation for animal sanctuaries, rescue centers and rehabilitation facilities.
Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA)
A coalition of legitimate sanctuaries and partner organizations working to end the private ownership and commercial exploitation of wild cats in the United States.
USDA Animal Care Public Search Tool
The USDA Animal Care Public Search Tool provides public access to Animal Welfare Act (AWA) records, including facility information, inspection reports and annual reports.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service —
Report suspected wildlife crimes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through its online reporting system, toll-free TIPS line at 1-844-397-8477 (1-844-FWS-TIPS), or by email at FWS_TIPS@FWS.GOV.
A resource platform from Humane World for Animals providing information, guidance and professional resources related to exotic animals, animal welfare and public policy.
Captive Animals
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) provides legal information and advocacy resources addressing animals held in captivity, including those used in zoos, entertainment, exhibitions and the exotic pet trade.
PETA — Dangerous Animal Incidents
A collection documenting dangerous incidents involving captive wild and exotic animals, including escapes, attacks, injuries and deaths associated with zoos, roadside attractions, circuses and other animal exhibitions.
Before visiting, donating to or promoting a facility that keeps exotic cats, investigate its history. Past inspections, enforcement actions, legal proceedings and documented concerns can provide important context that may not appear in a facility’s current promotional materials.
Born Free USA — Incidents Databases
The Born Free USA Incidents Databases track dangerous encounters, escapes and animal welfare concerns across the United States, providing documented information intended to inform the public and support stronger animal protection policies.
Explore additional resources offering laws, guidance, research and practical information related to captive wildlife, animal welfare and responsible advocacy. These references provide opportunities to learn more, investigate concerns and better understand the protections affecting wild and exotic animals
Official information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explaining the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which restricts private ownership of big cats and prohibits exhibitors from allowing direct public contact with big cats, including cubs. The resource also explains covered species, exceptions, registration requirements and enforcement provisions.
The Small Exotic Cat Crisis —
The Wildcat Sanctuary
An educational resource examining the growing private ownership and breeding of smaller wild cats—including servals, caracals, bobcats and lynx—and the welfare, public-safety and regulatory concerns that can result when these animals are kept as pets.
Captive Primate Safety Act — Animal Welfare Institute
An overview of the Captive Primate Safety Act, proposed federal legislation that would prohibit the private possession of nonhuman primates as pets while providing specified exemptions. The resource explains the legislation and examines associated animal-welfare and public-safety concerns.
The Federal Circus Bill website provides information and resources supporting the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA), federal legislation aimed at restricting the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling performances. The resource explores animal welfare concerns, public safety risks, enforcement challenges and the effects of repeated transport and confinement on animals used in traveling shows.
Beyond reputations and rhetoric, how do the published accreditation standards of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and Zoological Association of America (ZAA) actually compare?
Not every facility calling itself a sanctuary operates like one. Explore the fundamental differences in animal care, breeding, public encounters, and accreditation—and why those distinctions matter when deciding which wildlife facilities to support.
Read the Comparison →
Podcasts & Articles
The George Washington University Law School
"Artificial Intelligence, Animals, and the Law"
This conference explored how artificial intelligence intersects with animal law. Artificial intelligence and technologies that can be paired with AI may be the key to addressing previously unsolvable problems that impact humans, animals & our shared environment. Attorneys and experts discussed these intersections to provide key learnings and provoke meaningful discussions.
American Bar Association’s International Animal Law Committee virtual “lunch and learn”.
My presentation included topics such as the different levels of accreditations within the zoological world, to include AZA, ZAA, as well as GFAS accredited sanctuaries.
Coexist With Coe Lewis
A conversation about my journey through the zoo and animal advocacy worlds—and how experience, evidence and reflection can reshape the way we view our relationships with wild animals.
From Aerospace to Animal Advocate
A look back at an unexpected journey from the aerospace industry to more than three decades of working with and advocating for animals—and the experiences that changed my perspective along the way.
Interview with Erik Crown, Producer/Director of the the documentary film “Harambe”:
A conversation with filmmaker Erik Crown about Harambe, the events that captured the world’s attention, and the broader questions they raised about zoos, captivity and our relationship with wildlife.
Endangered Species: How Safe is Lowry Park Zoo (Zoo Tampa)
A 2006 Creative Loafing Tampa Bay investigation by Alex Pickett examining animal escapes, employee safety concerns, staffing and management practices at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. The reporting documented concerns raised by former employees and examined them alongside USDA findings, offering an important historical record of questions surrounding accountability and animal and public safety at the zoo.
Evidence • Education • Accountability
