Home to over 70 of the world's most endangered felines, EFBC/FCC is a breeding zoo and research facility. Funds received are used for the care and support of the compound's animals and long-term goals, which include a natural history museum and public education programs. The older cages are slowly being replaced by large natural habitat enclosures that rival those found at the best zoos-check out our current construction page to see what's in progress. Enrichment programs keep the cats active. EFBC's Feline Conservation Center is part of a worldwide network of zoos and facilities dedicated to the preservation of endangered cats, acting as a modern-day ark in the face of human overpopulation and mass extinction of animal species. We are involved in cooperative breeding projects with other zoos and facilities throughout the world. The majority of FCC's cats are not abandoned pets as you would find at a rescue facility, they are purebred animals that are registered within ISIS and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) or Population Management Plan (PMP) for each cat species. Cubs born here are often sent to other zoos for their breeding programs. We do NOT sell cats to the public.
Member of
Founded in Rosamond, California in 1977, EFBC's Feline Conservation Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization run entirely on public donations. Our federal tax ID number is 95-3808610. You can read financial information and donate online through Guidestar. If you're a US government employee, you can donate with payroll deductions through the CFC program - select cause #03169. Admission fees and renewable yearly memberships are our main form of support. We have changed our name from Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (EFBC) to EFBC's Feline Conservation Center (EFBC/FCC), so you'll see both names mentioned here. Our Board of Directors is currently composed of:
Joe Maynard, President
Larry Purcell, Vice President
Sandy Masek, Treasurer
Nancy Vandermey, Secretary
Camille Valenzuela, Public Relations
Jeff Conrad, DVM
Robert Slade
Nicole Pearson
Most of the compound is open for visitors to wander around at their own pace. Informative plaques describe the cat species in detail, and docents are available to answer your questions. Unlike a zoo, the FCC has no moats between you and the animals. Visitors can get as close as 5 feet away from these beautiful (but dangerous) cats. Some parts of the compound are not open to the public. For example, we try to keep some of the smaller, high-strung species of cats in quieter areas. And some of the older cages do not have safety fences in front of them - for legal reasons, we are not allowed to have anyone under 18 years old in those areas. That is why only part of the compound is open to general visitors. Until our new tiger cages are complete, the tigers are NOT on display during the day. During Twilight Tours the entire facility is available for viewing.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for your visit. Summer temperatures can reach 120 degrees Farenheit. In the winter, it sometimes snows. The cats are more active in cooler weather, and at Twilight Tours.
In 1990 the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) bestowed their Meritorious Achievement Award on EFBC's all-Volunteer Staff in recognition of their outstanding service.
Mailing Address:
EFBC/FCC
3718 60th Street West
Rosamond, CA 93560
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