Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bobbi Brink. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bobbi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I did not initially set out to start a sanctuary. In the early 1990s, while running a restaurant in Texas, I discovered that lions, tigers, and bears were being bought and sold through classified ads, often more easily than domestic pets. After witnessing firsthand the conditions many of these animals were living in, confined to small enclosures, neglected, and deprived of their natural behaviors, it became clear that this was a largely hidden issue with very few viable solutions. There were limited accredited sanctuaries, and many rescued or confiscated animals had nowhere appropriate to go. This gap revealed a critical need for a facility that could provide lifelong, humane care while also addressing the broader issue through education and advocacy.

The turning point came with the rescue of two tigers, Raja and Natasha, who had been kept in inadequate conditions for years. Coordinating their rescue in a short timeframe required significant effort, but it demonstrated both the urgency of the problem and the feasibility of creating a solution. That experience reinforced my belief that this work was necessary and sustainable. Lions Tigers and Bears was founded to not only rescue and provide refuge for exotic animals, but also to raise public awareness, influence policy, and create a model for ethical care. The goal was to address a problem that was largely overlooked, while building something that could have lasting impact on both individual animals and the system that allowed their exploitation.

Bobbi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve dedicated more than 30 years of my life to rescuing and advocating for captive big cats, bears, and other exotic animals. After discovering firsthand the abuse and neglect tied to the exotic animal trade while working in the restaurant industry, I knew I had to act. In 2002, I founded Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine, California, transforming what was once a cow pasture into a sanctuary where rescued animals can live out their lives with dignity and care. Today, we provide lifelong refuge, coordinate rescues across the country, and work closely with law enforcement and legislators to combat the exotic animal trade and improve protections for these animals.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to being a true sanctuary. We never buy, sell, breed, or exploit animals, and everything we do is centered on their well being. Beyond rescue and care, we focus heavily on education and advocacy, helping people understand the realities of the exotic animal trade and inspiring change. I am incredibly proud of the hundreds of animals we have saved and the role we played in advancing legislation like the Big Cat Public Safety Act. More than anything, I want people to know that this work is about compassion in action, giving a voice to animals who do not have one and creating a place where both animals and people can experience something meaningful, respectful, and real.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really reflects resilience for me is the rescue of a black bear named Sugar Bear, though I carry every rescue story in my heart because each animal’s journey is unique and just as meaningful. Sugar Bear had spent his life confined to a small corn crib with very little space, and when we finally brought him to the sanctuary after a long, multi state rescue mission, we placed him into quarantine and then prepared to introduce him to a large, natural habitat. When we opened the door for him to step into that space, he was terrified. This was a bear who had never felt dirt under his feet or seen open sky, and despite finally having freedom, he did not know how to accept it. For days, he stayed inside, unsure and hesitant, taking small steps out and then retreating back in.

It took patience, consistency, and trust building, but over time he began to explore. Within a couple of weeks, he was walking his habitat, feeling the ground beneath him, and eventually swimming and fully embracing his new life. Watching that transformation was a powerful reminder that healing is not immediate and that real change takes persistence. In this work, whether we are navigating complex rescues that take years or helping an animal adjust to a new life, resilience means showing up every day, no matter how long it takes, and never giving up on giving these animals the life they deserve.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I made the decision to start Lions Tigers and Bears, I did not come from a world of big funding or investors. I sold my restaurant in Texas and used everything I had to return to Alpine, California and begin building the sanctuary from the ground up. It truly started as a cow pasture, and every step forward required reinvesting whatever resources I could find into building safe habitats, securing proper care, and meeting the highest standards for the animals. There were no shortcuts, and in the beginning it was a combination of personal sacrifice, determination, and a belief that this work mattered enough to figure it out along the way.

As we grew, support began to come from people who believed in the mission. Donations, memberships, fundraising events, and partnerships became the lifeline of the sanctuary, and they still are today. We have always been fully supported by the community, which means every rescue and every habitat is made possible by people who care. Building this organization has never been easy, but it has always been purpose driven. From day one, it has been about doing whatever it takes to provide lifelong care for these animals and creating something sustainable that can continue to protect them for generations to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lionstigersandbears.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lionstigers_andbears/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lionstigerandbears
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lions-tigers-&-bears

Image Credits

Lions Tigers & Bears