Growler Pines Tiger Preserve

01/26/2026

🐾❤️🐯❤️🐘❤️🐻❤️🐾

12/29/2025

🐾❤️🐘❤️🐾

Encounter a new creation….
A daily inspiration…
Our beautiful hanging charms, hang them anywhere you need a daily reminder of what hard work, dedication and passion is worth!
Visit our store and see what else you need to add to your cart!

http://encountertoinspire.etsy.com

🐾🐻🐘🐅🐾

12/17/2025

12/16/2025

Our Next Chapter….

His Legacy Continues......

As this new chapter of our life begins without Ryan, our daughter and I wanted a way to continue his legacy and memory. For those of you that knew him you know what that means! What better way to do so than to continue what he believed in and worked so hard for. We will continue our support of animal conservation and education by using our new Brand of apparel " Encounter To Inspire ". A portion of your purchase will go to animal conservation in partnership with IEF. As well as funding a scholarship with EMA in Ryan's name to Inspire the next generation of Elephant Historians, Researchers and Conservationists. Please Visit our Etsy shop to help us in our journey to Encounter To Inspire....

https://encountertoinspire.etsy.com

10/13/2025

With gratitude and reflection, we announce the closing of Growler Pines. Since its founding, Growler Pines has been more than a facility—it has been a place of learning, inspiration, and compassion, built upon the vision and dedication of Ryan Easley. Many visitors were surprised to learn that Growler Pines was not a large corporation or a funded foundation, but rather a family-run Preserve, sustained entirely by hard work, passion, and the shared belief that conservation begins with care. Ryan believed deeply in the bond between people and animals and worked tirelessly to remind us that every encounter with wildlife is an opportunity to spark care, curiosity, and commitment to conservation.
Ryan poured his soul into this, our forever home. He believed in giving animals not just a home, but a purpose—to educate, inspire, and remind people of our shared responsibility to protect the natural world. Every nail and post driven, every enclosure and display built, all reflected his hands-on commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way.
As we make this difficult decision to close, we do so with Ryan’s values and legacy guiding our every decision. The animals of Growler Pines have been lovingly rehomed to facilities that share the same uncompromising commitment to care, enrichment, and conservation that Ryan championed. These placements ensure that each animal continues to thrive in an environment where their welfare is paramount, and where they can continue to inspire future generations about the importance of protecting wildlife, just as Ryan intended.
We know that Growler Pines touched many lives through visits, educational programs, and the simple joy of seeing Ryan’s passion reflected in the animals he cared for. While our facility is closing, the spirit of Growler Pines lives on through its animals, its mission, and the countless memories it created.
To everyone who supported us—whether you visited, volunteered, donated, or shared Ryan’s story—thank you. Your kindness made this journey possible. Growler Pines may have been built from the ground up by one man’s dream and a family’s determination, but it was sustained by a community that believed in compassion and conservation.
Our gates may close but Ryan’s legacy remains forever sealed in the lives he touched—human and animals alike. His spirit will continue to echo in every roar, every pawprint, and every moment someone chooses to care more deeply for the world around them.

09/21/2025

It is with profound sorrow that we confirm the tragic loss of Ryan Easley, who lost his life in an accident involving a tiger under his care at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve on September 20th, 2025.

Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. His love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life. He dedicated his life to the protection and care of these magnificent animals, and he believed deeply in the mission of Growler Pines- to provide a safe and forever enriching home for the animals under his care. Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan, it was his calling, his passion and his life’s purpose. His courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to wildlife will never be forgotten.

This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world. Ryan understood those risks- not out of recklessness but out of love. The animals under his care were not just animals to him, but beings he formed a connection with- one rooted in respect, daily care and love.

His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the animals he protected and the example he set for others who dedicate their lives to working with wildlife.

•We ask for privacy and compassion for his family during this incredibly difficult time.•

At this time all tours and encounters will be cancelled until further notice.

09/18/2025

As a family-owned and operated organization, it takes all hands on deck to care for our animals and provide the best experience for our visitors (check out those flawless Google Reviews and USDA inspection record if you need the proof!)

We were raised to have a strong work ethic, to always ensure the animals come first and to treat others the way we want to be treated. These are lessons we are passing on to our daughter. Lily may choose a different path in life but she will have the tools and skills to succeed in whatever she may choose.

Your support of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve helps to provide a forever home for our retired circus animals and create a new leader for the next generation.
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Fall public tours are scheduled every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm; private tours and school field trips are available nearly anytime! Your visit helps to provide a forever retirement home for our beautiful animals. Book your reservation now.
🐾 https://growlerpines.com/book-your-tour/

09/15/2025

While many of our animals are circus retirees, they still are given purpose in life helping to our visitors to take an active role in connecting with nature and protecting wild tiger habitat. Despite how it sometimes seems contrary in today’s world, there is dignity in having an active, productive life and working for a living. This makes those well-deserved breaks so much more enjoyable - just ask Zeya!
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Fall public tours are scheduled every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm; private tours and school field trips are available nearly anytime! Your visit helps to provide a forever retirement home for our beautiful animals. Book your reservation now.
🐾 https://growlerpines.com/book-your-tour/

09/09/2025

“This is such an amazing place! The tigers are clearly well cared for and live in a safe, natural environment. The staff is so knowledgeable and passionate about conservation, and I left feeling inspired and hopeful. Highly recommend a visit! The owner and his daughter are so sweet. You can tell it’s more than just a job to them. They are wonderful caring people. They take wonderful care of the animals. The owner even made a unique gift for our son on his birthday. A special paw print made by one of the tigers. It was so cool. Everyone should check it out, and donate if you can.” //Kayla L., Google Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Fall public tours are scheduled every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm; private tours and school field trips are available nearly anytime! Your visit helps to provide a forever retirement home for our beautiful animals. Book your reservation now.
🐾 https://growlerpines.com/book-your-tour/

09/08/2025

The look you get when you tell the kids they need to take a nap… then turn around and find them asleep 🤣
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Fall public tours are scheduled every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm; private tours and school field trips are available nearly anytime! Your visit helps to provide a forever retirement home for our beautiful animals. Book your reservation now.
🐾 https://growlerpines.com/book-your-tour/

09/07/2025

It seems like summer weather is over now, at least for a bit! We are ready for the fall season as is our “pumpkin” tabby tiger Amara. What’s in store at
Growler Pines Tiger Preserve?

We have a lot of projects underway (as always) that we hope to complete within the next several weeks. Our Halloween decorations (including a new attraction) will be on display for our October tours. Saturday, October 25 is our Tiger Pumpkin “Clawrving” event - the bears will be included as well! The animals love the cooler weather - now is the time to visit. 🌲🐯🐻🐴🍁🎃
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Fall public tours are scheduled every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm; private tours and school field trips are available nearly anytime! Your visit helps to provide a forever retirement home for our beautiful animals. Book your reservation now.
🐾 https://growlerpines.com/book-your-tour/

08/19/2025

Growler Pines Tiger Preserve was built as a forever home for our retired circus tigers - to maintain their incredible level of care, an impeccable inspection record and relationships that speak louder than words. We are proud to share these goals with our visitors while also helping to protect their cousins through wild tiger habitat protection projects.

Watercolor painting by Jim Alexander 🐯❤️🎨
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Late summer public tours are scheduled every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm; private tours and school field trips are available nearly anytime! Your visit helps to provide a forever retirement home for our beautiful animals. Book your reservation now.
🐾 https://growlerpines.com/book-your-tour/