Center For Animal Research and Education
Bridgeport, TX
- Admission
- $30
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Center For Animal Research and Education
6 confirmed
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Center For Animal Research and Education say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About the Center for Animal Research and Education
The Center for Animal Research and Education, known as CARE, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at 245 County Road 3422 in Bridgeport, Texas. Its website says its goal is to provide a safe, permanent and loving home to animals in need, with a focus on excellence in physical and emotional care, education, and research that will improve living conditions for captive animal populations worldwide.
The organization describes itself as dedicated to the long-term care of more than 40 animals across 10 species. Its website says it has operated for 22 years and has provided permanent homes to 123 animals in that time. CARE is a sanctuary that welcomes visitors on guided tours rather than a walk-through zoo, and its tour page says it aims to provide information to the public that will discourage exotic animal exploitation and encourage advocacy for animals.
History
CARE's website says the organization has been operating for 22 years and has provided permanent homes to 123 animals over that time. Its stated focus is lifelong placement, and the website describes its research program as work intended to improve living conditions for captive animal populations worldwide.
Exhibits and habitats
CARE's website lists the following residents: mountain lions, tigers, leopards, bobcats, ring-tailed lemurs, margays, lynx, lions, llamas and tortoises. The tour page also mentions Asian leopard cats and cougars. The home page describes a leopard named Raven as recognized as the oldest living leopard, a Guinness World Record holder.
The tour takes place across 22 acres of natural landscape with uneven terrain, according to the organization's tour page. The site says there is absolutely no visitor contact with any of the animals.
Conservation and programs
CARE lists several programs on its website:
- Guided educational tours that cover the species and the backgrounds of the individual animals.
- Safari Suites, branded as a Wild Animal Retreat, which offer overnight accommodation at the facility.
- Internships that the site says give participants practical knowledge and experience in animal care and research.
- A research program aimed at improving conditions for captive animals.
- Volunteer opportunities, symbolic animal adoption and sponsorship programs, and a gift shop.
The website says CARE is supported by donations, including recurring donations, a Patreon membership, and an Amazon wish list of needed items. It also sells merchandise. It lists credentials with GuideStar, Great Nonprofits and the USDA, among others, and its social media accounts include a YouTube channel under the handle @CAREBigCats.
Planning your visit
As listed on CARE's website, guided tours run every Saturday at 12 p.m., last about two hours, and do not need to be scheduled online. The site asks visitors to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the tour starts. Private and weekday tours are arranged by contacting the facility.
The tour page lists these conditions:
- Children must be 7 or older to take part.
- Visitors are asked to be calm, quiet and respectful.
- Umbrellas are not allowed inside the compound.
- Pets are not allowed on the property.
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required because of the uneven ground and continuous walking and standing.
- Wheelchairs and walkers are not permitted because they frighten the animals; the site says vehicle accommodations can be arranged for private tours on request.
Ticket details are on CARE's website. The organization can be reached at (940) 683-8115 or info@carerescuetexas.com.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking
- Founding year and founders
- Current ticket prices
Center For Animal Research and Education compared with nearby zoos
How Center For Animal Research and Education lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center For Animal Research and EducationThis zooBridgeport, TX | $30 | Fall/winter: guided tours Saturdays at 12:00 PM (~2 hours); arrive 10-15 minutes early, no booking needed. | — | No |
| Abilene Zoological GardensAbilene, TX | $10 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 16 acres | Yes |
| Animal World & Snake Farm ZooNew Braunfels, TX | — | Open every day 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, year-round. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. | — | No |
| Austin Nature & Science CenterAustin, TX | Free | Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sun 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. CLOSED Sep 28 – Oct 11, 2026 (maintenance week / ACL Fest); reopens Oct 12. Closed Sep 28–Oct 11, 2026 (maintenance/ACL); Nov 27–28 (Thanksgiving); Dec 24–26 (Christmas); Jul 3–4. | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Center For Animal Research and Education: common questions
Can visitors touch the animals at CARE?
No. The tour page says there is absolutely no visitor contact with any of the animals.
Is CARE accredited by the AZA?
No. CARE is not an AZA-accredited facility.
Is there a minimum age for tours?
The tour page lists a minimum age of 7.
How long does a tour last?
The tour page gives approximately two hours.
Do tours need to be booked?
The tour page says the Saturday tours do not need to be scheduled online, while private and weekday tours are arranged by contacting the facility.
Can visitors stay overnight?
CARE offers lodging called Safari Suites, branded as a Wild Animal Retreat.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.