Lions Tigers & Bears Alpine: What to Know Before You Visit

Did you know that we have an exotic animal rescue in San Diego? Lions Tigers & Bears Animal Sanctuary in Alpine is a no-contact sanctuary for big cats, bears, and other exotic animals rescued from private owners, roadside zoos, and the exotic pet trade — not a zoo, and not a place where you can pose with a tiger cub.

To be honest, before my visit, I had no idea how big of a problem this actually was in the US. Yes, of course, I’ve heard about some crazy celebrity who had a tiger in his mansion on the news sometimes. But did you know that there are an estimated 5000-7000 tigers living in private hands and non-accredited facilities in the US at the moment? (Source) There are more backyard tigers in the US than in the wild, according to Bobbi Brink, founder of the Lions Tigers and Bears Sanctuary. And the numbers for tigers, bears, leopards, and other wild (and dangerous) animals are equally shocking.

The introduction video we watched before our tour was truly heartbreaking. It really choked me up, and when I looked around at the other members of our group, not a single eye stayed dry.

We saw some of the places these animals were rescued from, where they lived in horrible conditions that were completely inadequate for their species. Many of them were living in what looked like average, middle-class homes. I was blown away by the stories of some of the rescued animals. Maddie, one of the black bears at the rescue, was given to a 3-year-old child as a birthday present from their parents. Others came from other so-called “rescues” and roadside zoos that bred and mistreated the animals in their care.

Tip: If you are visiting with kids, they will show a more age-appropriate version of the video.

Here is the “adult” version of the video. This video contains animal cruelty, so viewer discretion is advised.

Fundraiser at TapRoom on October 20, 2026

Where: North Park TapRoom Beer Co (2000 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104)
When: October 20, 2026, 6 – 10 PM
Website

Fun fundraising event with animal trivia, delicious food, and of course, plenty of beer. 20% of all food and drink proceeds from that evening will go to benefit Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary.

Important: Let your waiter know that you are there specifically for the Lions Tigers & Bears event, so your tap is included in the fundraiser.

Things to Know Before You Go

Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary is not like a Zoo where you just go and walk around. Every visitor has to make reservations ahead of time, sign in before their visit, and sign a waiver. Then you first receive a guided tour and meet the animals. After your tour, you can revisit some of your favorite animals and spend more time with them. Tours are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10:30 AM, and on Friday and Saturday at 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.

The tours are led by volunteer guides who share interesting facts about the various animal species, but also about where they were rescued from.

This sanctuary is no-contact; however, you do have the option to book a no-contact feeding opportunity, where you feed the animal with a pole through a small opening in the fence. No animal is forced to come to the feeding, and while some are excited for their daily treat, others simply can’t be bothered as they were lounging in their little waterfall pool (looking at you, Albert, the Grizzly).

For a guaranteed animal feeding experience, please book ahead (~ $165). But if you want, you can also buy a raffle ticket for $10 when you sign in for your visit, and your chances are pretty good. We had 3 lucky winners among our group of 8 visitors.

I recommend wearing closed-toed, sturdy shoes, as you are walking on dusty dirt paths with some rocks. During the tour, you will do a little walking (1/3 of a mile-ish), but a lot of standing. Shade is limited near some animal enclosures. Our tour lasted about 1.5 hours in total. If you come with kids, let them know beforehand that running and loud noises are not allowed on the grounds, as it riles up the animals.

As the rescue is adjacent to Cleveland National Forest and a notorious high-risk fire area, smoking on the ground is not permitted.

Bring plenty of water, layers, a hat, and sunscreen. You can also bring food and drinks (or buy snacks and drinks at the gift shop). There are a few shaded picnic spots and grass areas (bring a blanket) to sit down and relax, eat, and drink.

Good vs. Bad Animal Sanctuaries, Zoos, and Animal Encounters

I love animals and love seeing them in person. I do not want to bring any harm to animals for the sake of my entertainment. Unfortunately, I have fallen for some so-called “rescues” that prioritized profits over their animals’ welfare in the past. A lot of these “sanctuaries” and roadside zoos “greenwash” their online presence and make it hard to find out beforehand whether this is a place that treats their animals well.

So here are some questions and warning signs to keep an eye out for before you visit any place with animals.

• Are they accredited by well-recognized organizations such as the AZA, ASA, GFAS?
• Do they offer direct contact with animals, such as petting or photo opportunities?
• Are any animals kept in chains?
• Do they breed their animals?
• Is there a continuous “supply” of cute baby animals?
• Do the enclosures look adequate for the animals, including size, location, enrichment opportunities?
• Do the animals look healthy and well-nourished?
• Are they an actual 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization?

=> Some sanctuaries do participate in scientist-led re-population programs for endangered species, such as the California Wolf Center in Julian, but the wolf pups do not have contact with visitors and are bred specifically to be released into the wild.

I also recommend checking online reviews as well as social media posts by visitors (not just the channels/website of the “sanctuary” or “zoo”) to get more realistic views of what the place looks like and how the animals are treated.

Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary Alpine – My Verdict

I personally have visited some questionable places with animals before, some because the information online was misleading and some because I failed to do enough research before. However, none of these visits gave me any joy or enjoyment and instead left me feeling bad for the poor animals and regretting my visit.

Visiting the Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary in Alpine, on the other hand, filled my cup. The grounds and enclosures were extremely well-kept, clean, and full of enrichment opportunities for the animals. No animals were forced to show themselves or participate in feeding opportunities, and the whole sanctuary is no-contact except during medical procedures. Speaking of medical procedures: This sanctuary has highly specialized vets and a state-of-the-art operating room to give the animals the best care.

If you love animals and want to see exotic species in a way that keeps the well-being of the animals as the highest priority, then Lions Tigers & Bears is for you. I personally can’t wait to go back and support this fantastic organization more. It is the perfect day trip from San Diego for any animal lovers.

Interview with Bobbi Brink, Founder of Lions Tigers & Bears Animal Sanctuary San Diego

2. What were you doing before this, and what did the people around you say when you told them the plan?

I was opening a restaurant in Texas. While looking through classified ads for restaurant equipment, I kept coming across listings for lions, tigers, and leopards for sale.

After seeing these ads repeatedly, I finally answered one. I drove several hours and met a woman living in a mobile home on about five acres. She had around 30 big cats and was breeding them. There were babies inside the mobile home.

You could essentially buy a tiger cub and take it home that day as easily as you could buy a puppy.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was. That experience opened my eyes to a world of exotic-animal ownership and exploitation that most people never see.

3. There’s a difference between caring about something and organizing your whole life around it. Where did that line get crossed for you?

When I returned to California in 1998, I knew this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.

It didn’t happen overnight. There was an enormous amount of planning, permitting and work involved. We purchased the property in Alpine in 2002 and began building Lions Tigers & Bears one habitat at a time.

There wasn’t one moment when we suddenly became a sanctuary. We built it animal by animal, habitat by habitat and rescue by rescue. More than two decades later, that mission still guides everything we do.

4. What does it tell you if you’re allowed to touch, hold, or pose with the animals?

That’s an immediate red flag.

A legitimate sanctuary should not allow the public to touch, hold, or pose with dangerous wild animals. When cubs are being used for petting and photo opportunities, people should ask some very important questions: Why are there always babies? Where are their mothers? And what happens to those animals when they become too large and dangerous to handle?

People may see a cute cub and a five-minute photo opportunity. They don’t see everything that happened before that photograph or what may happen to that animal afterward.

Wild animals are not props or entertainment. At an accredited sanctuary, the welfare of the animal always comes first.

5. Which words do bad places use because they sound legitimate—”rescue,” “conservation,” “educational,” “ambassador animal”? How do you hear through them?

Those words can sound very convincing, but the words themselves don’t tell you how the animals are actually being treated. Even the word “sanctuary” can be used very loosely.

Look beyond the name and examine the facility’s practices. 

Do they breed? Do they buy or sell animals? Can visitors touch the animals? Are animals used for performances or photo opportunities? Are they regularly taken off-site for entertainment? What happens to the animals when they’re no longer young, manageable, or profitable?

Then look for legitimate accreditation and understand the standards the organization is required to meet.

Don’t judge an organization by what it calls itself. Judge it by how it treats its animals.

6. What should someone actually check before they hand over money?

All of it.

Start with accreditation. Then look at the organization’s breeding policy. Do they buy, sell or trade animals? Does the public have physical contact with wildlife? Where did the animals come from? And what commitment is being made to those animals for the rest of their lives?

If a facility is constantly displaying babies, ask where those babies are coming from and where all of the adults are.

A legitimate sanctuary should be transparent. People should be able to understand its policies, practices and mission before deciding to support it.

7. If someone realizes halfway through a visit that they’re somewhere bad, what should they do?

They can absolutely leave. You never have to participate in something once you realize you’re uncomfortable with it.

Don’t purchase another animal encounter or photo opportunity, and don’t participate in petting or handling simply because you’ve already paid admission.

If you witness something concerning, document what you observed. If you believe an animal is being abused, neglected or illegally kept, report it to the appropriate local, state or federal authorities. An accredited sanctuary or reputable animal-welfare organization may also be able to help direct you to the appropriate agency.

And be careful about posting photos or videos from the experience on social media. Even when someone intends to criticize the facility, those images can unintentionally promote the very activity they’re concerned about.

8. Take me through Lions Tigers & Bears against your own checklist.

Lions Tigers & Bears is a true animal sanctuary, meaning we do not breed, sell, or have any contact with the animals.

The animals here have been rescued or placed with us because they needed permanent sanctuary. We don’t breed them, sell them, or use them for public interaction or entertainment.

Visitors don’t come here to touch a tiger. They come here to learn about one.

We’re also an accredited sanctuary, which means we’re accountable to established standards beyond those we set for ourselves.

Most importantly, when we accept an animal, we’re making a commitment for life. That commitment doesn’t change because an animal gets older, develops medical needs or is no longer something people consider exciting to see.

This is their home.

9. What does it actually cost to keep one tiger for a year?

Food alone is substantial. An adult tiger may eat roughly 15 pounds of meat a day, depending on the individual. That’s approximately 450 pounds of meat in a month.

But food is only part of the expense.

There is veterinary care, medications, habitat construction and maintenance, enrichment, utilities, staffing, specialized equipment, transportation and emergency medical care.

That’s why accepting an animal is such a serious decision. We’re not making a commitment for a month or a year. We’re making a commitment that can last for decades.

10. What do people most misunderstand about running a sanctuary?

I think people are often surprised by the scale of what happens behind the scenes.

Visitors see the animals in their habitats, but they don’t necessarily see everything required every day to provide that life for them.

There’s food preparation, cleaning, habitat maintenance, veterinary care, medical monitoring, enrichment, recordkeeping, inspections, staffing, equipment, transportation and constant repairs and improvements.

These animals require care 365 days a year. There are no days off from that responsibility.

11. How do you decide which animals you can take—and what happens when you have to say no?

That’s one of the hardest parts of this work.

We would love to help every animal, but a responsible sanctuary has to know its limits. Before accepting an animal, we have to consider its individual needs, available habitat, veterinary requirements, permits, transportation, staffing and, most importantly, whether we can provide proper lifetime care.

Many of the animals we encounter were born in captivity, kept as pets or have become dependent on humans. Simply releasing them into the wild isn’t an option.

Sometimes the alternatives available to an animal are extremely limited, which makes those decisions even more difficult.

If we can’t accept an animal ourselves, we still try to help. We work with authorities and other reputable sanctuaries whenever possible to find a responsible solution.

12. How often does the phone ring with an animal that needs somewhere to go?

It varies tremendously.

Sometimes we’ll go for a period without a major rescue call, and then several situations can happen almost simultaneously.

There’s no schedule to rescue. Law enforcement, government agencies, private owners, and other organizations contact us when there’s a need. Because we’re an established, accredited sanctuary with extensive experience in rescue and transportation, we’re often contacted when an animal needs help.

And sometimes those situations require us to make decisions very quickly.

13. What should a first-time visitor know before they drive out to Alpine?

First, make a reservation in advance and arrive on time.

Lions Tigers & Bears isn’t a traditional zoo where you purchase a ticket and wander around on your own. Our visits are guided educational experiences.

You’ll learn the individual stories of the animals, why they came to sanctuary and the larger issues surrounding exotic-animal ownership, wildlife trafficking and exploitation.

And wear comfortable shoes. You’re visiting a 140-acre sanctuary in San Diego’s beautiful countryside.

14. The TapRoom night on October 20—what does that 20% actually pay for, in practical terms?

It helps support the everyday necessities that allow us to care for our rescued animals.

That includes food, veterinary care, medications, enrichment, habitat maintenance and the many other expenses involved in providing lifelong care.

We’re very conscious that every donation represents someone’s trust in our organization. Whether someone makes a major contribution or simply joins us for dinner at a fundraiser like this, they’re helping us fulfill our commitment to these animals.

15. For someone who wants to help but can’t write a big check, what’s genuinely most useful to you?

You don’t have to make a large donation to make a meaningful difference.

Make a small donation. Become a member. Volunteer. Visit the sanctuary. Attend a fundraiser. Share one of our rescue stories. Tell someone what you learned.

Education and awareness are incredibly powerful.

The person who shares one of our stories today may introduce our mission to tomorrow’s donor, volunteer or advocate. There are many ways to become part of this mission.

16. What do you want people to take away from a visit, beyond the photos?

I want people to leave understanding the true cost of exotic-animal ownership and exploitation.

When someone looks at a tiger, leopard, bear or another rescued animal here, I want them to understand that they’re looking at a wild animal with complex physical, behavioral and psychological needs—not a pet, a prop or a source of entertainment.

Hopefully, after visiting Lions Tigers & Bears, they’ll think differently the next time they’re offered a cub-petting experience or an exotic-animal photo opportunity.

If people leave here asking better questions and making more informed decisions about the facilities and activities they support, then we’ve accomplished something.

17. Is there something you wish journalists would ask you, and never do?

Let me redirect that question a little. Instead of asking what I wish journalists would ask me, I wish more people would ask themselves:

Have I unknowingly contributed to the exploitation and trafficking of wildlife?

Have I held a tiger cub? Have I paid to have my picture taken with a bear or another wild animal? Have I donated to a facility without first checking its accreditation, reputation and practices?

And then I think we need to ask ourselves the harder questions:

What have I done to help stop this? What can I do differently? What have I done to make the world a better place for these animals?

Those questions aren’t about making people feel guilty. They’re about awareness and responsibility. Many people simply don’t know what can be happening behind the scenes when they pay for an exotic-animal encounter or support a facility they haven’t researched.

But once we know better, we have an opportunity to do better.

If we all start asking ourselves these questions, I believe the answers, and the actions we need to take, become much clearer.

Ultimately, real change starts with each of us deciding what we will and will not support. Every informed choice helps move us toward a world where fewer animals are exploited, fewer animals need to be rescued, and sanctuaries like Lions Tigers & Bears are needed less and less.

This interview with Bobbi Brink was conducted on October 2, 2026 via email to facilitate Bobbi’s travel schedule. My visit to Lions Tigers & Bears Sanctuary was hosted.

Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Maria Haase