I’m Ruth Stalvey, and I’ve volunteered at Carolina Tiger Rescue since 1994. What started as a hobby became a lifelong mission. I work to protect humans from their own stupidity—especially the idea that wild cats make safe pets. You can’t love the wild out of them. The contribution from me and my colleagues at Carolina Tiger Rescue takes three forms: providing a sanctuary for big cats and other wild animals—rescued from private ownership or exploitative situations; educating the public through tours and outreach about why cub-petting and exotic-animal trafficking are dangerous; and partnering with global networks to shift policies and practices. I’m inspired by the cats themselves—their dignity, their instincts—and by the visitors whose assumptions we dismantle. The problem I hope to solve is this: the dangerous gulf between human desire and animal nature. While people adore big cats, they don’t usually understand them—and that ignorance fuels abuse and exploitation. By giving both animals and people the space to change, I help close that gap. What I get out of this work is clarity and purpose. I see lives saved, attitudes transformed, and visitors leave knowing a little better. It’s not just about the cats—it’s about humanity learning how to act responsibly in the wild.