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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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The Big Cat Sanctuary

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Global Wild Cat Charity in Kent, UK
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The Big Cat Sanctuary is a registered animal charity whose aim is to contribute to global conservation. The peace and tranquillity of the site provide sanctuary and excellent conditions for the successful breeding of the beautiful, yet endangered cats both large and small within the coordinated global breeding programmes.

03/11/2026

The Official Finalists of The Big Cat Sanctuary Art Competition 2026! 🎨

In the summer, we opened up entries to our art competition to artists from across the world. We received hundreds of entries, all unique and incredible in their own way. We have had the longlist, the shortlist and now the finalist. A huge congratulations to our top 6!

This competition has been more than just fun. Every piece from the longlist is up for auction in aid of our cats here at the Sanctuary and conservation across the world. And you can place your bid on your favourite piece today! 👉 https://bit.ly/BCSartauction

02/11/2026

Eyes closed, ears on… 👀

Servals have the largest ears for their body size of any cat. Each one can turn on its own, so they can pinpoint prey moving under the grass, or even underground, before they see it.

Even with eyes half closed, their ears are still listening.

01/11/2026

Keeper Pics of the Month: October Edition! 📸

Every month, our keepers send over their favourite pics they have taken of our cats here at the Sanctuary. From Rhys truly getting in the Halloween spirit, to Boson watching over our keepers, to Blob having a nosey.

Which picture is your favourite? 👀

31/10/2026

🎃 BIG cats vs BIG pumpkins! NOW on YOUTUBE! 🦁🔴▶️

We teamed up with Tulleys Farm to treat our big and little cats to some Halloween pumpkin enrichment… and let’s just say, their reactions were mixed! 😂🐾

🎥 Watch the FULL video on Cam’s YouTube channel! Link in the top comment 🔗

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29/10/2026

PUMPKINS GALORE! 🎃

Pumpkins are more than just a bit of spooky fun for our cats, they are great pieces of enrichment for our cats. Enrichment stimulates our cats both mentally & physically, replicating some of the behaviour they would typically exhibit in the wild.

Which pic is your favourite? 📸

28/10/2026

Your midweek dose of Willow’s purr 🥰

Unlike roaring big cats, cheetahs have a fully ossified hyoid bone in their throat, which allows them to purr both when they breathe in and breathe out, just like a domestic cat!

Next time you’re at the Sanctuary, take a minute to sit with Willow & listen to her incredible purr. 😌

27/10/2026

Why are black cats associated with halloween? 🐈‍⬛👻

Centuries of European folklore, religious decrees, and witch trials linked them to witchcraft. Long before Halloween, the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain marked the shift into winter when the boundary between the living and spirit worlds thinned. Folklore featured creatures like the Cat Sìth, a fairy cat linked to household blessings and early autumn traditions. 🍂

Our two black jaguars, Maya & Neron, aren’t black because they are fairy cats. Their black coats are due to a natural genetic trait called melanism. This causes more pigment in their fur than a typical jaguar, creating their shadowy coats that keep them hidden in the dark of the rainforests! 👀

📍 National Black Cat Day

26/10/2026

Ursa’s First Halloween 🎃🥹

In February this year, we rescued Ursa from war-torn Ukraine. Found being kept illegally as a pet, Natalia Popova and her team at Wild Animal Rescue Center in Kyiv, Ukraine took her in and rehabilitated her. But Ursa was still living in unsafe conditions, with bombs falling close by. ❤️‍🩹

Since Ursa has arrived at the Sanctuary, she has had many firsts. From her first steps outside on grass to her first peaceful nights sleep. And this halloween season, we thought we’d give Ursa her first pumpkin! 🎃

A big thank you to Tulleys Farm for donating pumpkins to our cats!

25/10/2026

Swipe to see Maya’s claws! 🤩

Our cats are definitely getting in the spooky spirit and Maya couldn’t wait to get her claws in the pumpkins. 🤭

Stay tuned to see our cats in full halloween action!

🧡 Tulleys Farm

24/10/2026

Django says BOO! 👻🎃

We’ve had a special delivery of pumpkins from somewhere very special this halloween… 🐾

And we have plenty more halloween content coming your way very soon! 👀

🧡 Tulleys Farm

Address

Headcorn Road
Ashford
TN278PJ

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441233439150

Website

https://beacons.ai/thebigcatsanctuary

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