Our Charity

The Center for Animal Research and Education (CARE) was established to provide for the rescue, rehabilitation, and holistic nurturing of sick, injured, and abused exotic animals.

CARE is dedicated to providing these majestic creatures with a safe habitat so they can live with proper freedom and comfort. CARE also provides a permanent home and stability for retired performing cats whose fate would otherwise be uncertain. Founded in 2003 as a non-profit public benefit corporation (ID #03-0520301), CARE’s 20-acre facility houses dozens of exotic animals, from big cats to lemurs to llamas. Derek Krahn (BigCatDerek), the Operations Manager of the compound, has broken significant ground on the popular video app Vine with short clips of the animals at the facility, amassing over 1 billion video loops and over 1 million followers to the channel. Come meet him and some of his team at Furry Fiesta!

Texas Furry Fiesta raised $40,420.69 during TFF2022, $28,000 during TFF2021 and TFF2020 for CARE, totaling over $200,000 in proceeds since the first Furry Fiesta. To help support CARE, we hold a charity auction, a casino night and other charity related events during Furry Fiesta, including the giant Plinko board. If you would like to donate items to be auctioned at Furry Fiesta, please contact charity@furryfiesta.org with details!

Please note that CARE and Creature Arts are 501(c)(3) organizations, donations made to CARE through Furry Fiesta are tax deductible.