Nestled away in the hills of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is a 55-acre patch of land that serves an interesting purpose.

The Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is a small non-profit facility that rescues abused and neglected lions and tigers. The facility currently houses four tigers and one lion with the capacity to hold up to six big cats.

The facility, which opened in 2007, has four permanent staff members plus spots for three summer internships, two fall internships and several volunteers.

One of the current volunteers is Southeast Missouri State University student Annaka Goodson. Goodson, a freshman from Jackson, Missouri, is a marine biology major at Southeast. She is currently on the creative team making signs and paper mache toys for the cats.

"You have to have 48 hours experience before you can interact with the animals, I only have 41 or so right now," Goodson said. "I learned about the sanctuary from my brother's girlfriend. She loves tigers and found out about the sanctuary and we took the tour one day."

The internships offered by the sanctuary are unpaid, but students can receive college credits for their service and lodging for interns is free.

Jeri Wright is the program director and has worked at the sanctuary for five and a half years.

"Internships and volunteering teaches you about the animals but also gives students the opportunity to learn how a non-profit 501(c)3 organization runs as well as fundraising and USDA regulations," Wright said.

The sanctuary rescues abused and neglected animals from circuses, zoos and private owners that can no longer care for the animals.

"We administer lifelong care to the rescued animals. We do not buy, sell, trade or breed any of them," Wright said.

The sanctuary is eager to educate the public on the Big Cat and Public Safety Act currently in legislation.

According to Missouri law, individuals cannot own a native wild cat such as a bobcat or mountain lion, but it is legal to own a non-native big cat.

"They are bought as cubs to be pets, but an owner cannot properly take care of a lion when it gets to 300 pounds," Wright said.

The Big Cat and Public Safety Act would ban non-native big cats from being kept as pets. To the dismay of the staff, no Missouri legislators are currently backing the bill.

The Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is hoping to expand its facility and build new enclosures to accommodate more animals.

Wright stressed the need to expand, using the example of one current traveling circus that is closing down and looking to find homes for 52 lions and tigers.

"If expansion occurs, we hope to be able to take on more animals," Wright said.

The USDA regulates the minimum size of the enclosures and all animals are kept separate from one another, except for sisters Thor and Gracie.

According to Wright, Thor and Gracie are 12 years old and were rescued from the Exotic Animal Paradise. Gracie is blind due to inadequate care by her owners as a cub. Wright said the two were given only a turkey leg a day to share, which is not nearly enough for two full grown tigers. Thor gave all the food to Gracie and became so malnourished and weak that she almost died.

Izzy is a 7-year-old Siberian tiger, which is the largest subspecies of tiger. He weighs more than 500 pounds and is somewhat of a local celebrity.

Izzy has become so popular that he has a beverage named after him. Fizzy Izzy Root Beer is sold by the Crown Valley Winery and a portion of the proceeds go to the sanctuary.

Alexis, an 8-year-old lioness, was malnourished, vitamin deficient and had never touched the actual ground prior to being rescued by Crown Ridge. Although she has tigers for neighbors, she has never actually seen another lion.

The newest addition to the sanctuary is 7-year-old Survana. He was obtained three months ago when his owner in Georgia realized he could not care for the multiple wild cats he had living in pens in his backyard and gave them up.

"While he is adapting well, he is not ready to be part of the tour just yet," Wright said.

The sanctuary has an education building as a part of its tour.

The building houses several lion skulls, an authentic lion hide, photos, a gift shop and an information table on the Big Cat and Public Safety Act. It also carries a donation display that lists many products and items needed by the animals and the staff.

"The sanctuary relies heavily on donations and they can be made in the form of almost anything from Dawn dish soap and sponges to old fire hoses. The cats love different scents, which is why we ask for old spices, cologne and perfume," Wright said.

Meat donations such as beef, venison, pork and chicken are always welcomed as well.

There is lodging on the premises available for vacation rentals, operated by the nearby Crown Valley Winery.

For more information about tours, donations, internships or volunteering, contact the sanctuary at (573) 883-9909.