Animal sanctuary in need of donations to stay open

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida man caring for exotic animals that would otherwise have no place to go fears tough times may force him to close his shelter.

Lions and tigers and leopards, oh, yes. But this isn't Oz, and Dirk Neugebohrn isn't Dr. Dolittle, but he can talk to the animals. "I've been taking animals all my life," he said.
 
Vicky Saez, a volunteer at the Southern Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, said, "He's so completely devoted to the animals, and they're so devoted to him."

Neugebohrn considers his animals his children, and has been rescuing abused, neglected and unwanted animals for decades. "They poked broom handles at him, he bit them in the hand, and they thought it was funny," Neugebohrn said, referring to a jaguar that now resides at his sanctuary.

About 23 years ago, the animal lover drove to rescue Alex the lion, who remains at the rehabilitation center to this day.

Florida panthers, cougars and monkeys also call the five-acre sanctuary home. "They always ask me, 'Who does all this?'" Neugebohrn said. "I said, 'Three of us: Me, myself and I.'"

For Neugebohrn, his hard work is a labor of love. "I love them!" he said. "They never lie to you, they always show you true affection."

Unfortunately, however, love doesn't pay the bills, and because of the economy, donations stopped coming into the sanctuary. "My social security money goes to them," said Neugebohrn.

It costs about $2,500 per month to feed all the animals at the center, and, including the medicine for the animals, it costs about $60,000 a year to run the sanctuary.

Neugebohrn is now afraid that if he does not get enough donations, he will have to shut down the center by the end of the year. "I'll be forced to close down. I can't afford it anymore. It's just too much money."

Those who volunteer at the sanctuary hope that a miracle will keep the rehab center up and running for many years to come.

If you'd like to make a donation to the Southern Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to help keep the sanctuary running, visit http://bigcatsponsor.com/main.html.

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