Big Cat rescuers saved Kallie the tiger, another tiger, a hybrid tiger, and a lion from an abandoned Oklahoma drive-thru roadside zoo shut down by the USDA in 2008. The former “cub-petting” animal lived in an overgrown field in a dilapidated caged area for years.

The rundown facility where Kallie was abandoned in Oklahoma via YouTube/Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary
But a new life awaited her 400 miles away at the accredited Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary in Alpine, CA. It’s a sanctuary close to our hearts where Cat Man Chris has volunteered.
“[Kallie] was a retired cub-petting animal. What they were actually doing is when they would get too big to be handled by people and get their picture taken, they would abandon the animals out in this field to die,” explained founder, director of the Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary, Bobbi Brink. “They would leave them there to die.”
Tiger cub versus adult size in just three years via via Facebook/Cat Man Chris
We previously shared the story of the rescued elderly lioness and her big cat sisters, who all found homes.
Kallie and Her Big Cat Sisters Were Declawed
The now shutdown operation declawed all four female big cats, a cruel practice for any cat. The place offered photos with the cats and cub petting, and declawing was standard. Unfortunately, it caused Kallie “long-term and painful complications,” and arthritis, the rescue shared. Declawing amputates the bone, not just a claw, often leaving cats with chronic debilitating pain. You can see that the tiger was limping about (see the video below). Sadly, all four of her giant paws were declawed.
First, Kallie took a detour on her road trip to the Oakland Zoo where rescuers delivered two of the cats. Then, they drove the tiger the remaining 2,000 miles to her California nonprofit sanctuary. The sanctuary is dedicated to formerly abused big cats like Kallie. Besides being declawed, the 8-12-year-old tiger had metabolic bone disease and malnutrition.
Video by Lions Tiger & Bears:
Images and media via Facebook/Lions Tiger & Bears
Kallie Starts Loving Life
Kallie’s days of living in pain seemed to be over once she reached the sanctuary. She finally had soft grass to walk on, a pool, and all the nutritious food she needed.
It was a habitat fit for a tiger with veterinary care for life.
“Kallie was housed alone in a dilapidated enclosure for many years and was extremely scared and timid when she was rescued. Over time, as she became familiar with her new caring keepers, was fed a well-rounded diet, and had a habitat that was clean and fit for a tiger – Kallie is now loving life at our sanctuary. Her transformation is incredible, and we are so grateful we can provide Kallie with a life of peace and dignity, a life she always deserved,” Lions Tigers & Bears shared.
Kallie Injured Her Leg
After nine months, Kallie continued suffering from metabolic bone disease and the pain from her declawing. She had a tailored pain management plan, but in March, she hurt her forelimb and underwent risky anesthesia with a 50/50 chance of survival. It was the only option and a difficult one.
“Obviously, she can’t go on with the pain that she has,” Brink explained. “So, we’re going to go on with the surgery and hope that she makes it,” said Kallie’s tearful rescuer.
Due to the fracture, which may have been a re-fracture, she required a 10-hour surgery costing upwards of $15K. Without help from supporters, she wouldn’t have relief. Thankfully, she got her surgery from a skilled team, placing three plates in her fractured forearm.
As founder/director Bobbi Brink explained, “You can’t put a cast on a tiger.”
“As well as many others who worked tirelessly yesterday. Kallie slept most the entire night and is awake this morning. She even chuffed a little bit at me. She took her morning meds and had a nice breakfast. Now we will have lots of aftercare to hope that her body will heal and the plates will work for her because you can’t put a cast on a tiger. This is what makes this situation so difficult. Kallie will still need one more surgery, so keep her in your prayers,” they share.
Sadly, while the initial surgery was successful, her years of unmanaged pain and paw mutilation proved to be too much. The rescue was faced with a devastating decision. They could euthanize the sweet tiger or amputate the leg in a very delicate surgery, risking putting her under anesthesia again.
But they knew in their hearts there was only one option. Kallie would have her leg amputated.
An Inspirational Adjustment to Life on Three Paws
Most relieving, Kallie made it through the surgery successfully. In a update video, the rescue shared that Kallie is adjusting great to life as a tripod. It was the best option, given the nature of the serious leg fractures.
It will be a long road ahead, but thanks to supporters, this survivor will have every chance for a golden retirement after a lifetime of suffering.
“Kallie is a true inspiration to us all. Despite the challenges she has faced in her life, including serious medical issues due to a horrible declaw from her previous owner, Kallie has triumphed with an unwavering spirit of courage and determination, but she is still not out of the woods yet. There is still an extremely long, hard road ahead for Kallie under the watchful eye of Bobbi and the expert keepers and veterinary staff at San Diego’s Lions Tigers & Bears.”
You can help support Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.