FAQs and Facts
Where do your animals come from?
Who started CPT and Why?
What do your animals eat?
If this is the Carnivore Preservation Trust, then why do you have fruit eaters?
How big is the Carnivore Preservation Trust?
Can I come see your animals?
What makes you different from a zoo?
Where does funding for the Trust come from?
How can I get involved?
Is CPT a tax exempt organization?
Is my gift to CPT tax deductible?


1. Where do your animals come from?
Our small cats and binturongs were part of a captive breeding program for underrepresented threatened and endangered species of carnivores. Most of our big cats were rescued and some were born here. We no longer breed.

2. Who started CPT and why?
Dr. Michael Bleyman wanted to ensure the survival of specific keystone species from threatened/endangered ecosystems. He started a breeding program for caracals, servals, ocelots, and binturongs. He began rescuing big cats when the need for a sanctuary became apparent.

3. What do your animals eat?
All our carnivorous (meat eating) animals are on a whole carcass diet. Our small cats are fed rats and mice just like they would find in the wild (except ours come to us frozen!). Our big cats eat anywhere from ten to fifteen whole chickens a week that are donated from a local chicken plant. The binturongs, kinkajous, and civet eat a mixture of fruit supplemented with a source of protein (mice or dog food).

4. If this is the Carnivore Preservation Trust, then why do you have fruit eaters?
The word carnivore has two meanings. The first refers to the diet of an animal. A carnivorous animal eats meat. The second meaning refers to members of the order Carnivora. All animals at the Carnivore Preservation Trust are members of the order Carnivora. Members of this order all possess a specific set of teeth called the carnassial pair. These teeth are modified for shearing meat and tendon.

5. How big is the Carnivore Preservation Trust?
55 acres.

6. Can I come see your animals?
Yes! We conduct guided tours on the weekends. See our tour link for details.

7. What makes you different from a zoo?
Several things differentiate us from a zoo. The first is that we act as a refuge. We will take in animals and give them a safe, comfortable home for the remainder of their lives. Zoos generally do not take in animals from the public. Secondly, zoos allow their guests to tour their facility unguided. All our tours are guided and are geared more toward education than simple exhibition. For this reason, the public has the opportunity to get much closer to our animals than at a zoo.

8. Where does funding for the Trust come from?
Most of our funds come from individuals, private foundations such as Earth Share of North Carolina, and corporate sponsors. In addition funding also comes from tours and merchandise sales.

9. How can I get involved?
There are numerous ways individuals such as yourself can help us provide happy homes for our animals. Visit the Get Involved section of our site.

10. Is CPT a tax exempt organization?
Yes, under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

11. Is my gift to CPT tax deductible?
Gifts to CPT qualify for tax exemption under the above-referenced IRS code. You should always check with your tax adviser regarding your personal circumstances and whether a particular gift will be deductible.