Victoria Canzonetta
Founder and Owner of Destiny Big Cats Sanctuary

Victoria Canzonetta, a.k.a. "Tory the Tiger Woman's" affair with cats began at the age of seven. She rescued feral cats in crisis around her neighborhood, awaiting her chance to volunteer at the local humane society. While working at the humane society, she realized that cats of all shapes and sizes, domestic and exotic, were in need of help.

In 1981, Victoria completed her BS in Public Relations at the College of Mount St. Joseph, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Immediately after graduation, she began researching and crusading against the over-breeding of exotic animals in captivity for the sole purpose of generating exorbitant profits.

Her research led to the enlightenment that the over-breeding of exotic cats offered only a few options for the surplus to be absorbed; one of those options being high-priced exotic auctions, where the animals are purchased for both legal and illegal "canned hunts."

With nowhere else for excess exotic cats bred in captivity to go, they ended up de-clawed, de-fanged, undernourished and in weakened conditions. These animals faced the end of a hunter's rifle in a fenced environment, hence the "canned hunts."

In 1994, Victoria realized that, in order to rescue these animals, a safe haven would need to be created. She then began her apprenticeship under a license "Master" exotic cat trainer in order to receive her federal license and USDA permits, which she would need to operate a refuge in Florida. Her dream of making a difference in the animal world was finally in sight.

In 1997, Victoria began to clear and develop a large parcel of land in South Florida and built Destiny Big Cat Sanctuary, Inc., a six acre facility that includes exotic waterfalls, unusual rock formations and natural swimming pools to host exotic cats. On this property, she provides a last stop sanctuary for exotic cats rescued from breeders, private collectors and furriers.