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Things To Do In Columbus, Ohio

This Exotic Cat Sanctuary Is Only A 4-Hour Road Trip From Columbus

ByChelsea Wiley January 18, 2019

Okay, animal lovers! If you’re ready for a one-of-a-kind road trip, listen up.

Tiger lying on grass in its enclosure, looking toward the camera — via EFRC Facebook

Located in Center Point, Indiana, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center has been providing a safe home for abused, abandoned, and surrendered big cats since 1991.

Spotted wildcat resting in a wooden shelter on straw bedding — via EFRC Facebook

The rescue has over 100 acres of space where 15 employees, with the help of volunteers, look after over 200 cats from 9 different species.

Leopard with a spotted coat resting behind wire fencing with a red wooden structure behind — via EFRC Facebook

EFRC has taken in an average of two felines per month for the last five years. These big cats consume over 3,400 lbs of meat every day.

Lioness rolling on her back on the ground inside a fenced enclosure — via EFRC Facebook

The rescue is not a zoo, but they are open to public tours Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Close-up of a lynx's face with tufted ears looking upward behind wire fencing — via EFRC Facebook

If you want to plan an extended visit to the rescue, you can book guest quarters that allow you to overlook some of the big cat enclosures for $225/night for two adults. Children are not permitted for overnight stays.

White tiger resting on a wooden platform behind a chain-link fence — via EFRC Facebook

From legendary big cats like tigers and lions to rarer animals like African servals and lynx, there are lots of beautiful creatures to admire at EFRC.

Serval with large ears and a spotted coat sitting behind a wire fence — via EFRC Facebook

Students at nearby colleges and university, as well as other educational programs, take advantage of having the EFRC so close, using the population for research. The rescue’s biggest mission is educating the public about big cats and discouraging personal ownership of these wild animals.

Two lionesses resting together in a wooden shelter doorway on straw bedding — via EFRC Facebook

To learn more about Exotic Feline Rescue Center, you can visit their website here. To see the rescue in action, please watch the videos of their work below.

In this guide

Okay, animal lovers! If you’re ready for a one-of-a-kind road trip, listen up.
Located in Center Point, Indiana, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center has been providing a safe home for abused, abandoned, and surrendered big cats since 1991.
The rescue has over 100 acres of space where 15 employees, with the help of volunteers, look after over 200 cats from 9 different species.
EFRC has taken in an average of two felines per month for the last five years. These big cats consume over 3,400 lbs of meat every day.
The rescue is not a zoo, but they are open to public tours Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you want to plan an extended visit to the rescue, you can book guest quarters that allow you to overlook some of the big cat enclosures for $225/night for two adults. Children are not permitted for overnight stays.
From legendary big cats like tigers and lions to rarer animals like African servals and lynx, there are lots of beautiful creatures to admire at EFRC.
Students at nearby colleges and university, as well as other educational programs, take advantage of having the EFRC so close, using the population for research. The rescue’s biggest mission is educating the public about big cats and discouraging personal ownership of these wild animals.
To learn more about Exotic Feline Rescue Center, you can visit their website here. To see the rescue in action, please watch the videos of their work below.

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Written by

Chelsea Wiley, first of her name, Queen of the Seven Andals... wait. That's not right. Joking aside, Chelsea is a writer and photographer born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She is an avid reader and a lover of animals.

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