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When you visit Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine, California, it’s easy to be moved by what you see: a tiger rolling in the grass, a bear splashing in the pool, a lion stretching out in the sun. It feels calm, even effortless, as if the animals have always belonged here. What you don’t always see is the group of people who make these moments possible—the sanctuary volunteers.

They aren’t in it for photo ops or recognition. They are the backbone of this accredited sanctuary, showing up daily to do the work that ensures every animal receives world-class care. Their tasks may look ordinary on the surface, but each effort adds up to something extraordinary: a second chance for exotic animals who once had none.

So what is it like to be a big cat sanctuary volunteer? Let’s step behind the gates and spend a day in their shoes.

Morning: Breakfast for the Residents

The day begins before the sun rises over the mountains. Volunteers arrive early, pulling on gloves and aprons as they gather in the prep kitchen, where animal care starts.

The animal care staff designs each resident's unique diet. Some need carefully measured raw meat, while others require vitamins, fruits, or supplements to support their health. A volunteer might spend the first hour chopping vegetables, weighing meat portions, or double-checking feeding schedules.

It is precise work. Preparing meals for wild animals is a structured routine that ensures the lions, tigers, bears, and other residents stay healthy and strong. Volunteers play an important role in supporting this process by helping with the prep work and transporting heavy carts of food to the habitats, where the keepers then feed the animals.

Mid-Morning: Habitat Cleaning and Maintenance

Once breakfast is over, another big task begins. Cleaning duties are an essential part of sanctuary life.

Volunteers are highly trained and help with various custodial duties for our domestic and livestock habitats, (our keepers handle the upkeep of our exotic animal habitats) This includes scrubbing water troughs, replacing bedding, and ensuring each space is safe. They might also patch fencing, sweep pathways, or clear fallen branches. Some days bring bigger projects, like painting, repairing platforms, or helping with landscaping.

It is demanding work, but it matters. A clean sanctuary, with clean habitats means healthy animals, and repaired fences mean stronger safety. Every chore is part of the sanctuary’s daily operations, keeping it in line with the strict standards of an accredited sanctuary.

Sanctuaries like Lions Tigers & Bears exist for rescue and rehabilitation, not entertainment. The work is done with respect, not performance. Volunteers help bring that philosophy to life.

Afternoon: Supporting Enrichment

While enrichment may not happen every day, it remains one of the most vital parts of life at the sanctuary. Enrichment activities stimulate an animal’s natural behaviors like foraging, problem-solving, and play, giving our rescued animals the chance to heal and thrive beyond their past traumas. For a bear who once lived in a tiny cage or a lion who had never touched grass before, enrichment is not just playtime. It is healing.

The animal care team of keepers and veterinarians takes the lead on enrichment planning and implementation, but volunteers may help by preparing supplies, such as gathering natural materials, organizing food-based puzzles, or assisting with set-up. Even small contributions can make a big difference, ensuring the residents have opportunities to explore, engage, and express their instincts in healthy ways.

Creating enrichment is also one of the most rewarding tasks for volunteers. You know you have given that animal more than food or shelter. You’ve given them an experience closer to the life they were meant to live.

Community, Not Just Work

It’s easy to focus on the animals, but volunteering is also about people. Sanctuary volunteers work alongside administrative staff, animal keepers, and fellow volunteers. Together, they form a team that keeps the sanctuary running smoothly.

There is laughter while scrubbing troughs, encouragement when lifting heavy gates, and quiet moments of pride when a habitat shines after the long work hours are done. Over time, these shared experiences create something powerful: a community united by a mission bigger than themselves.

Ask any long-term volunteer, and they’ll tell you the same thing: This is a life-changing experience.

Behind the Scenes & Visitor Support

While none of the volunteer work happens directly in our animal’s habitats, some volunteers use their skills in other ways—helping with social media, organizing events, fundraising, or completing office tasks. These roles may not involve direct animal care, but they are just as important. Every story shared online, every email answered, and every donation processed helps to keep our sanctuary doors open.

Beyond visitor support, volunteers also lend their skills in other ways. This is what makes volunteering with Lions Tigers & Bears so unique. Whether shoveling straw, scheduling a tour, or assisting with our visitor’s needs, every effort moves the mission forward.

What to Expect as a Volunteer

Thinking about this volunteer opportunity? Here is what you can expect:

• Visitor support: One of the most important volunteer roles is helping with tours and preparing for visits. Volunteers are often the friendly faces who welcome guests, guide them through the sanctuary, and share the stories of our rescued animals.
• Time commitment: The sanctuary asks for consistent support, whether weekly or monthly. Animals need care every single day.
• Physical effort: Volunteering can involve lifting, bending, walking, and being out in the California sun. It can be physical, but there are also less physical volunteer tasks that are still a huge help to the sanctuary. 
• Learning curve: You will pick up skills in animal care, habitat maintenance, and nonprofit volunteer work. Training and orientation help you feel confident and safe in your daily duties.
• Emotional impact: Seeing an animal flourish because of your efforts is unforgettable. Many volunteers say it changes how they see the world.

Why Volunteers Matter

Without volunteers, the sanctuary could not function. While trained staff handle medical care and specialized tasks, volunteers carry out much of the daily operations.

Every cleaned trough, every enrichment project, every repaired fence adds up. Volunteers create an environment where lions, tigers, and bears can heal from their past and live with dignity. They may not be in the spotlight, but they make the sanctuary’s mission possible.

How to Help

If you’ve been wondering how to help exotic animals in a meaningful way, volunteering at Lions Tigers & Bears is one of the most impactful steps you can take. Here’s how to get started:

1. Apply: Visit the sanctuary website to submit a volunteer application.
2. Train: Attend orientation to learn safety procedures, care routines, and expectations.
3. Find your role: See your strengths, experience all volunteer roles, and see what works best for you.
4. Commit: Whether you give a few hours a week or take on larger projects, your time directly impacts rescued animals.

A Mission Worth Joining

At the end of the day, volunteering here isn’t about having extra time or perfect skills—it’s about showing up for animals who need you. Every pair of hands makes a real difference, and yours could be the reason a lion sleeps soundly or a bear plays without fear. So, if you’ve ever felt that pull to do something meaningful, this is your sign. Come spend a day with us, roll up your sleeves, and see how much heart you have to give. And if life’s too full to volunteer right now, you can still be part of the mission by helping fuel it with a donation.