Florida is no stranger to big cat rescues and refuges, but there are certain ones that truly look to put all of the animals first,especially with their gifted volunteer staff. 

In this week's Florida on a Tankful we explore a rescue in St Augustine that is devoted to big cats care. 

“What are you doing girl?! Are you so excited!" Britt Seibold said. 

Walking into this cage with a young cub might not be your everyday activity, but for Britt Seibold this is normal and she's trained to care for the big cats that call the St Augustine Wildlife refuge home. 

“I love them all and for some people it can be hard to see the relationship we have with them and understand it because you see them on tv on national geographic and they really are killing machines.. but they can be very loving and very sweet.” 

Britt starting here at the St Augustine Wildlife Refuge 15 years ago, before working with big cats her training mostly lied with horses and animals of a smaller variety. However her degree in biology from the University of Florida is really what helped her in her training allowing her to work with the cats you'll see at the refuge. 

Britt and all the volunteers on staff going through intensive training and becoming certified to handle these animals through the department of fish and wildlife.  

The mission the refuge, Britt, and all the volunteers at St Augustine Wildlife want to get across is the conservation of it all. Hoping their private guided tours of these incredible creatures that can't be released back into the wild will give people an idea of how to protect and conserve the wildlife we still have that roams free. 

The St Augustine Wildlife Refuge is open by appointment only so please call ahead to schedule a tour.