Lions and tigers tucked away in a quiet part of Brevard County could become homeless.
The Central Florida Animal Reserve said it's working to raise funds it needs to move to a new location, but it's proved to be a huge challenge.
The reserve, hidden away in a residential neighborhood in Canaveral Groves, is home to 45 tigers, lions, cougars and other big cats.
Worrying about the fate those 45 big cats keeps Dr. K. Simba Wiltz awake at night. Wiltz is the animal reserve's CEO and the senior vice president.
"We will do everything in our power to make sure that these cats have appropriate homes," said Wiltz. "The problem with big cats has been a hidden one for many years, and the reality is we have resources for dogs and cats when they are homeless. We have resources for people when they are homeless, but there are no resources for big cats."
Changes to Brevard County's zoning laws have forced the group to find a new home. County Commissioners ruled that the sanctuary must leave the neighborhood by March 2014.
Wiltz said the reserve has a location picked out in Osceola County, but as of Monday, they only have about 30 percent of the $500,000 needed to move.
Now, the Animal Reserve is working hard to win an online fundraising competition that ends Wednesday.
The "Start a RYOT Challenge" puts them in the running to win $75,000, but even if the sanctuary wins, Wiltz said the future of the big cats that live there and at other reserves around the country is a major concern.
"With the plethora of sanctuaries that are actually going out of business due to the economy, it becomes even more important that we are able to expand, so that law enforcement and others have an option that doesn't involve a death sentence for a cat," Wiltz said.