About the Founder

Gloria Johnson is FWC and USDA licensed to exhibit large cats. She still occasionally works with and shows Siberian Tigers; but her true passion is for the “American Lion” we call Cougar, Florida Panther, Mountain Lion or Puma.  In addition to going into many elementary schools she has exhibited tigers and cougars for Jim Fowler (Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom) as well as for the Florida Panther Society. She works as a government lobbyist, which allows her to devote most of the year to her love and passion for these beautiful felines and attempting to teach others to appreciate their plight.

Ms. Johnson has been appointed by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to a two year committee titled "Captive Wildlife Technical Assistance Group", established to review all current regulations and make recommendations for any that need to be updated. Finally, she is a member of the Zoological Association of America, the Feline Conservation Federation, and the National Animal Interest Alliance.

Responsible Keepers Pledge

As an active member with the Feline Conservation Federation (link opens in new window), Gloria Johnson subscribes to their "Responsible Keepers Pledge".

The FCF (Feline Conservation Federation) believes that private ownership of a wild feline is a privilege that carries with it an obligation to ensure that the health and safety of the animal and it's species and the public are not significantly or unnecessarily threatened and, whenever practical, are enhanced. Conformance to the following basic principles is fundamental to meeting these obligations:

• Compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Taking appropriate precautions to ensure the health and safety of the public is not jeopardized.
• Ensuring, to the maximum extent practical, that the source of animals acquired does not threaten the viability of the species in the wild.
• Providing adequate care and facilities for the animal's physical and psychological needs.
• Concrete plans for continued care should you become unwilling or unable to provide it. (Don't assume a zoo or will take your animal.)

Page updated: 10/08/2005