Kelley Rego
Compound Manager

Kelley Rego graduated in 1998 from the University of Sand Diego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology. Her main focus was in Physical Anthropology which covered topics such as primatology and forensic anthropology. Senior year she was able to spend time with some zookeepers at the San Diego zoo while writing her senior thesis. It was at this time that she realized that she could actually make a career out of working with animals.

Upon graduating, Kelley took a volunteer position at CRES (Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species) part of the San Diego Zoological society. At CRES she was responsible for the feeding and cleaning of a variety of species such as red pandas and pygmy loris. Unfortunately her time at CRES was cut short and Kelley had to return home to Newport, Rhode Island. Although she had only been volunteering a few months, she knew she still wanted to pursue a career working with animals.

In Rhode Island, Kelley worked with troubled teenagers in group homes while searching her avenues to pursue her animal career. The work was very rewarding; however, she knew that working with animals was what she really wanted to do. While looking on the internet, she found a variety of schools that actually taught basic animal husbandry while working with animals in a zoo or a zoo like setting. Out of these schools Kelley chose to apply to Cat Tales Zoological Training Center. Here the focus was primarily on exotic cats which is what actually drew her to this specific school. Exotic Cats such as Tigers and Lions had always been an interest for Kelley ever since she was a little girl. The opportunity to work with them was simply amazing.

Cat Tales, located in Mead WA, was a nine month program that required you to log over 1100 hours working at the compound. There was a wide variety of tasks that she was expected to perform which ranged from working the ticket booth, to cleaning and feeding the animals. Cat Tales offered an opportunity to educate the public through tours and special events about the uncertain future of these cats. Cat Tales housed abused and neglected exotic cats as well as cats breed right at the facility. Here Kelley worked with over nine subspecies of exotic cats and graduated with honors.

In April of 2001 Kelley joined the staff of Destiny Big Cat Sanctuary as an apprentice animal handler. Since then Kelley has moved past her apprentice stage and is now the compound manager, in charge of everything that happens at the sanctuary. Having the opportunity to learn about the cats from two master trainers has been very beneficial. Her skill level and knowledge increases day by day and will continue to do so for the rest of her career. At Destiny, Kelley is always learning how to read, interact and play with the residents of the compound.

In the future Kelley hopes to one day have the opportunity to work with Cheetahs. She also would like to continue to help the conservation effort by educating the public about the threats faced by the animals of this world. For now, at 28 years old, Kelley holds a bright promising future working in the animal field.