A rare golden tiger rests peacefully at Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, one of the sanctuary’s many rescued big cats. (Katecey Harrell/ Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The sound of lions in the morning is something neighbors around Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary are used to. Instead of the usual rooster crow, they wake up to the roars of big cats.

“Our big mission here is to rescue. No one here is treated like a pet. We’re not here cuddling or petting animals. Everyone gets top-notch care for the rest of their lives,” said animal keeper Naomi Marin.

Several hundred people attended the sanctuary’s Swing Into Spring event Saturday. Visitors enjoyed activities and learned about rescued animals. The event, held to start the new season, featured 16 vendors and aimed to teach the public about the sanctuary’s rescued cats.

Tyler resident Yeh Stewart, along with her partner and son, said the sanctuary is not usually open to the public, so events like this give people a rare chance to see the animals at an affordable price without booking a tour or private event.

“I’ve probably known about Tiger Creek for at least six years because we drive by sometimes and think, ‘Dang, we really want to see what’s in there.’” Stewart said. “We thought that today was perfect…We’ve always wanted to see it.”

Founded in 1995, Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary rescues big cats and other animals. Executive director Emily Brooks talked about how the sanctuary helps endangered species, protects natural ecosystems and improves the care of the animals.

Brooks said when they started, there wasn’t a lot of information about tigers’ backgrounds and genetics, so Tiger Creek became the first place to do genetic testing on tigers. This helped people understand more about the diversity of tigers and why they are important for conservation.

Tigers in the wild usually live for 10 to 15 years, but they live much longer in captivity.

The rise of private tiger ownership happened when celebrities started buying tigers, and there were no laws or regulations. Lawmakers probably didn’t think there was a need for rules because it seemed unlikely that people would own such dangerous animals. But since then, laws have been made to stop private ownership, which has helped tiger conservation.

The animals at Tiger Creek come from all over the United States. Some were rescued from just a few counties away, while the most recent one, Satara, came from Grand Prairie.

Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary is home to many animals. The design is different from traditional zoos, with natural habitats made for the animals. Visitors can get a close-up look at the big cats in a peaceful environment, according to Marin.

As an animal keeper, there’s always a sense of wonder. The beauty and majesty of the animals, along with the bonds formed, never lose their impact. Each interaction feels special, as if it’s the first time.

“They take really good care of the animals,” Stewart said. “All of the animals are older. I love that. They just kind of have a place to retire and be at peace.”

Tiger Creek is located at 17552 FM 14 in Tyler. For more information, visit tigercreek.org .