Lions, tigers, domestic cats and other felines are members of the Felidae family. They are the most strictly carnivorous of the nine families in the order Carnivora. The first felids emerged during the Eocene, about 40 million years ago. The most familiar feline is the domestic cat or house cat (subspecies Felis silvestris catus), which first became associated with humans between 7000 and 4000 years ago. Its wild relative, the wild cat, still lives in Africa and western Asia, although habitat destruction has restricted its range.
Other well-known members of the feline family include big cats such as the lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, and cheetah (which appears to be descended from the small cats), and other wild cats such as the lynx, puma, caracal, and bobcat. All felines, the small domestic cat included, are superpredators capable of destroying almost any creature smaller than themselves.
More on [ Felidae ]
Cats Health
Cats :: Mammals
Rehabilitation :: Wildlife
Cats :: Pets
Big Cats :: Cryptozoology
Felidae :: Carnivora
Extinction :: Paleontology
Impacts and Indicators :: Global Change
Cats :: Specific Animals
Conservation and Endangered Species :: Environment
Organizations :: Conservation and Endangered Species
Rescues and Shelters :: Animal Welfare
Wildlife :: Rescues and Shelters

Big Cat Rescue - Focusing on freeing big cats from commercial exploitation. Consists of photos and the sounds of wild cats; with games, a gift shop, how to help, news, legal advice, a slideshow, and educational programs and tours.
Meta Description: [ Big Cat Rescue is the world's largest big cat rescue and santuary and is accredited by The Association of Sanctuaries. More than 2100 pages of big cat facts, photos and sounds. Your visit saves lives. ]
Big Cats Felid Research, News, and Commentary - Research and news, photos, artistic prints and posters for sale, cat classification charts, fossil history, and related links.
Meta Description: [ News, editorials, pictures, and information about all big cats and wild cats. ]
Cat Action Treasury (CAT) - A non-profit fund for conservation of wild cats in their natural habitats. News, links, photos, and an informational research library.
Cat Survival Trust - A UK charity conserving all species of wild cats. Learn about the cats of the world and how you can help.
Cheetah Conservation Botswana - Set up in 2003 with the assistance of the Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation, it aims to be a long term conservation project, incorporating scientific research, practical species management and community education.
Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) - Focuses on researching and implementing strategies for cheetah conservation in its natural habitat. Features cheetah facts and threats, current projects, news, photos, an online store, and a kid's section.
Meta Description: [ The purpose of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is to research and implement strategies for cheetah conservation in its natural habitat. From its Namibian base,he CCF works with countries that have wild cheetah populations. ]
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Eastern Cougar Foundation - A non-profit group concerned with scientific and cultural aspects of cougar recovery in eastern North America. Research, news, an online store, links, and a hotline to call for cougar sightings.
Feline Conservation Federation (FCF) - A group of enthusiasts interested in the propagation and preservation of all wild feline species. Supports responsible private captive husbandry of exotic felines. Contains resources for breeders, legal advice, and news.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to the oldest international organization for wildcats! Celebrating our 50th anniversary, we preserve, protect and propagate the world's wildcats. Join us today! We are a 501(c)(3) non profit. A big cat rescue and santuary. More than 200 pages of big cat facts, photos and sounds. Your vi... ]
Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge - The support organization of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. Panther information, action alerts, volunteer information, links, and an online store.
Meta Description: [ Authorized Website for The Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, the official support organization created to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the National Wildlife Refuge System and, in particular, the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends of the Florida Panthe... ]
International Society for Endangered Cats - A non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of wild cats throughout the world. Information on membership, education programs, and volunteer opportunities.
International Society for Endangered Cats, Canada - Specializes in the smaller 28 species of wild cat, with field research, captive breeding, and increased public awareness. Cat information, research findings, an online store, links, and a kid's section.
Meta Description: [ Wildlife conservation NGO working for the conservation of the smaller 30 wild cat species through conservation research, captive breeding and education about small wild cats. ]
King Cheetah - Promotes a book on the subject. Proceeds go towards conservation efforts. Author and researcher profiles, The REX Foundation UK mission, and sponsorship information.
LiFeline Wild Cat Rescue and Recovery - Organization rescuing exotic cats and providing a sanctuary for them in the foothills of the Maya Mountains (Belize). Case histories, volunteer needs, research information and ways to help.
Meta Description: [ The Ridgeway Trust for Endangered Cats ]
National Cheetah Management South Africa - A non-government organization focusing on the conservation of the cheetah outside of protected areas in South Africa.
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NOAH Feline Conservation Center - Specializing in the captive husbandry of cougar, bobcat, canadian lynx, serval, caracal and geoffroy's cat; with information on building enclosures, pet ownership, responsible breeding, and kittens for sale.
Meta Description: [ NOAH Feline Conservation Center had raises Serval, Caracal, bobcat, Candian lynx, geoffroy's cats for sale ]
Project Survival Cat Conservation Group - Helping researchers and conservationists in their efforts to study and protect wild cats. Group history, project funding, current projects and achievements, and how to get involved.
Scottish Wildcat Conservation - Caring for wildcats in the heart of the Highlands, trying to conserve the species. Breeding program information, photos, social issues and threats information, history of the species, behavior, and related links.
Meta Description: [ Website for the Scottish Wildcat Trust, working to protect and conserve the Scottish wildcat, it's key habitats and prey ]
Small Cat Conservation Alliance - Of the 36 species of wild cats, 22 are small cats often no bigger than house cats. Most conservation efforts are directed at the largest members of the family, the big cats. SCCA seeks to put the spotlight on the small wild cats of the world.
The Cat House Feline Conservation Center - A non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world's endangered felines, with information on volunteering, a schedule of events, an online store, and a photo gallery of their cats.
Meta Description: [ A non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world's endangered felines. Home to over 70 cats, representing 17 species. Large, diverse collections of the Northern Chinese and Amur subspecies of leopards. Open to the public every day except Wednesday. ]
The Florida Panther Society, Inc. - A non-profit environmental education and support organization working to provide a means of protection for the Florida panther (Puma Concolor Coryi). News, links, photos, poetry, and a kid's section.
The Preservation Station - Part of a world-wide project to bring awareness to the plight of the Barbary lion. Includes history, news, and general information on the subject.
The Ridgeway Trust for Endangered Cats - Dedicated to the conservation of wild cats. Working to further field research, management, and study of wild felids. Aims and goals, how you can help, achievements, news, and cat profiles.
The Snow Leopard Conservancy - Demonstrating innovative, grassroots measures leading local people toward effective stewardship of the endangered snow leopard and its habitat. Projects in action, educational materials, and news.
Meta Description: [ The Snow Leopard Conservancy promotes community-based stewardship of the endangered snow leopard,
its prey and habitat. ]
Tiger Touch Sanctuary and Research Center - A nonprofit organization devoted to finding new options and approaches to preserving exotic cats through education and research programs. Photos of their cats, educational materials, news, and links.
Meta Description: [ Research, sanctuary and education are the three pronged approach Tiger Touch uses to support the Great Cats. ]
Uphold, Conserve, Advocate, Think - Dedicated to the conservation of the endangered wild cats of the world. Supplies a directory of useful links for feline activists, rescuers, and concerned citizens.
Meta Description: [ A conservation website with lots of action alerts, sanctuary listings, rescue links, and general wild cat information. ]
Wild About Cats - A non-profit organization sponsoring and promoting conservation and research programs that benefit cats that remain in the wild, with links to educational materials, merchandise, wildlife career information, and how to help.
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