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Christin Anne Burford Founder / Director I was born on November 3, 1965, and have worked with animals all of my life. I began working with Big Cats in 1985. I was the personal assistant of a Big Cat trainer and worked hands-on with Lions, Tigers, Pumas, and Leopards from 1985 to 1989. In the later part of 1989, I took over management of Gator Jungle (now called Jungle Adventures). I conducted shows with various wildlife including Big Cats, Venomous Snakes, Alligators and Crocodiles. In 1992, I left Gator Jungle to work as a consultant and trainer for various groups with hard to handle animals. I also started the "Native Florida Wildlife Program", which continues to this day. In 1996 I founded the CARE Foundation, and am now in the process of building a unique Wildlife Education Facility in Apopka, with a Native Florida Area dedicated to the school children of Florida. 
Travis M. DeVita Assistant Director I was born on July 5, 1971. I grew up on a horse ranch in Apopka, Florida. I caught my first snake when I was 6 years old, and spent the next 28 years keeping and breeding many species of reptiles including Large Constrictors, Monitors and Venomous Snakes. I began volunteering with the CARE Foundation in 2001, and was soon offered a permanent position to help train and care for over seventy animals including Tigers, Florida Panthers and an Asian Leopard. I was one of only a few people involved in the raising and training of "Quinn" our Black Bear, and was one of only two people able to work our South American Jaguar. For the past two years, I have also worked for Birds and Animals Unlimited as a show trainer and have gained experience working with Great Apes and Birds of Prey as well as a variety of other animals. 
Joeseph Bossier Assistant Director I was born July 19, 1976. I began volunteering at the CARE Foundation in October of 1999. I started volunteering only one day a week, but by 2002 I was there several days a week and was involved in the training of the show and production animals, as well as conducting off-property educational programs. In 2003 I became one of two Assistant Directors. 
Michele K. Gowdy Assistant Director I was born January 16, 1978. As a child I found joy in digging through the dirt in search of bugs and catching any little frogs I could find. The most normal pet I had was a dog. In 2002, my husband and I moved to Florida to start a new chapter in our lives. Within hours of being in the state, I met The C.A.R.E. Foundation, and was thrilled to hear they were accepting new volunteers. My volunteering started with weekly cleaning on Sundays, until I was invited to participate in my first off-property event. After that I spent most of my free time participating in events, shows, and learning how to interact with our animals one-on-one, including training the big cats and baby bear. As things picked up for C.A.R.E., I was offered a permanent position and now have the title Assistant Director. I perform many of our wildlife shows and provide daily care for our animals. |
