Tim Stark’s exotic animal facility (Wildlife in Need Inc.) in Charlestown Indiana claims to be a wildlife refuge, but it most certainly is not. This backyard operation has a history of problems including animal abuse and exploitation, inadequate veterinary care, overcrowded enclosures for animals, illegal selling of exotic animals, improper handling of animals, and inbreeding of tigers to produce "rare colors". Furthermore, Tim Stark's facility has been cited by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors for a variety of problems over the past several years that jeopardize the general public's safety, including having enclosures that are not adequate to prevent big cats from escaping, and putting the public in danger by allowing cubs that are too old and too aggressive to interact with visitors in dubious, overpacked "pay-to-play" sessions. During these "pay-to-play" sessions, numerous injuries to both visitors and untrained employees have been reported as a result of the distressful environment these cubs are forced to endure on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, legislators who’ve received recent complaints about Wildlife in Need Inc. are looking at potential changes in Indiana law. Currently there are no laws preventing trade of these animals in the U.S., and this provides a smokescreen for illegal poaching and trade.

Please help put an end to back yard breeding and exploitation of large cats and their cubs in America. Tim Starks operation is threatening his animal's welfare as well as the general public's safety for entertainment purposes, and is in no way advocating for species conservation. There is no reason for lions, tigers, leopards or any other wild cat to be kept in private possession in this fashion. It is especially egregious that their cubs are used in "pay-to-play" sessions, as if they were toys. Please be a champion for saving big cats in the wild, by ending the private possession of them as pets and props in corrupt "backyard zoos" such as Wildlife in Need Inc.