Rescued, Rehabilitated, and Respected: How the Human-Animal Bond Drives Our Mission

Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!

Here at Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) is the foundation of our daily work. Our mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for animals in need of rescue or rehabilitation, while conserving endangered and threatened species. Every time we open our gates to a majestic tiger, a rescued lion, or a vulnerable exotic cat, we are engaging in a human-animal relationship that is defined by trust, respect, and a deep commitment to animal welfare (Zasloff & Roberts, 2008).

The HAB is a dynamic, reciprocal relationship between people and animals (AVMA, n.d.). While you may associate it with a beloved family pet, we see its power every day in the specialized care of apex predators and endangered species. The reciprocal nature of this bond is important because it's been repeatedly demonstrated that the welfare of the animal and the caregiver's commitment are interconnected (CABI, 2020; Zasloff & Roberts, 2008). This awareness is absolutely critical to the success of every animal that comes to live at our Sanctuary.

Rescued domestic cat, Mama, spends her days bonding with staff and overseeing sanctuary operations

More Than Companionship: How the HAB Ensures Welfare in Rescue & Conservation

For a sanctuary focused on non-domestic, often powerful, and sometimes traumatized animals, the Human-Animal Bond takes on a life-saving significance. It's what transforms a sterile enclosure into a home and a frightened rescue into a confident ambassador.

1. Lifesaving Care Through Trust

When an animal is rescued from horrific circumstances or irresponsible private ownership their initial experience with humans is one of fear, pain, or neglect. A dedicated caregiver must form a specialized, high-trust bond to ensure their well-being.

• Motivation for Specialized Care: A strong bond compels our staff to invest the extraordinary time, emotional energy, and resources required for exotic animal care. This includes complex veterinary treatments, custom nutrition plans, and species-appropriate enrichment.

• Behavioral Assessment and Early Detection: Our experienced animal care team is constantly observing the minute behaviors of our residents. The HAB allows our staff to know what a "normal" day looks like for an individual animal whether it's one of our tigers, bobcats, or foxes. This vigilance is crucial for the early detection of subtle signs of illness or distress in an animal that naturally hides pain—a critical aspect of animal welfare (CABI, 2020).

2. Welfare as a Pillar of Rehabilitation

Our goal isn't just to house animals; it's to rehabilitate and provide a lifetime of quality care. This requires a relationship built on recognizing the animal as a sentient being—one that experiences feelings and perceives the world around it (EBSCO, n.d.).

• Psychological Well-being: For animals that cannot be returned to the wild, their psychological health depends on enrichment and a low-stress environment. The caregiver's empathetic approach to the relationship is what drives the creation of specialized habitat features, toys, and puzzle feeders that stimulate their natural instincts (Human Animal Bond Research Institute [HABRI], n.d.).

• Advocacy for the Species: Every successful rescue story strengthens our resolve and allows us to be a powerful voice for conservation. The human connection to these individuals—like our beloved Raja or Cleo—inspires the public to support the protection of their wild counterparts. It translates the abstract idea of "endangered species" into a tangible, respected life.

Animal Care team member, Kagan, trains our lemurs as part of a keeper talk

3. Educating for a Better Future

The human-animal relationship extends to our visitors and community. You may not be a caregiver, but by visiting and learning, you become part of the bond through empathy and awareness.

When you see a rescued tiger thriving here, your connection to that animal promotes an understanding of responsible pet ownership, ethical treatment standards, and the need for stronger animal welfare laws. You become an advocate.

The Interconnectedness of All Lives

This week, we urge you to reflect on the power of your own relationships with animals, whether they are domestic or wild.

• Support reputable sanctuaries that prioritize the welfare and species-specific needs of their residents.

• Learn about the true needs of exotic species to fight against the cycle of irresponsible private ownership.

• Use your own strong bonds with animals to champion better treatment for all creatures.

The Human-Animal Bond is our greatest tool for animal welfare. By acknowledging its significance, we ensure a safer, more secure, and more compassionate world—for every animal, from the smallest house cat to the largest rescued tiger.

Animal Care team member, Abby, trains Singer

References

American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Human-animal bond. Retrieved from https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/one-health/human-animal-bond

CABI. (2020). Benefits of the human-animal bond (Hot Topics). https://www.cabi.org/wp-content/uploads/Hot_Topics_Human-animal_bond.pdf

College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU. (2018). The bond between humans and livestock. Perspectives Magazine, Fall 2018. https://cvm.msu.edu/news/perspectives-magazine/perspectives-fall-2018/the-bond-between-humans-and-livestock

EBSCO. (n.d.). Animals and human society. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/animals-and-human-society

Human Animal Bond Research Institute. (n.d.). Top 5 benefits of the human-animal bond [Infographic]. https://habri.org/assets/uploads/HABRI-Top-5-Benefits-of-Pets-Infographic.pdf

Zasloff, A. K., & Roberts, T. A. (2008). Animal welfare and the human–animal bond: considerations for veterinary faculty, students, and practitioners. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 35(4), 532–540. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19228905/