OUR CAREGIVERS
A SNEAK PEEK AT
MEET OUR FOUNDER
CHRISTIN ANNE BURFORD
Christin has dedicated her life to working with and caring for animals. Her journey began in 1985 when she became the personal assistant to a big cat trainer, working directly with lions, tigers, pumas, and leopards. By 1989, she had taken over the management of Gator Jungle (now Jungle Adventures) in Christmas, Florida, where she designed and led wildlife shows featuring big cats, venomous snakes, alligators, and crocodiles.
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In 1996, she established the non-profit C.A.R.E. Foundation (Creating Animal Respect Education Foundation Inc.), where she serves as Director. At the C.A.R.E. Foundation, Christin not only cares for animals at the facility but also engages in outreach, offering education, training, and guidance to prospective and current animal owners. She is frequently called upon by several counties for unique animal situations and snake identification, including capturing venomous snakes in populated areas.
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Christin collaborates closely with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the USDA, holding 27 state licenses and 1 federal license.
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In 1992, Christin transitioned to working as an exotic animal consultant and trainer, specializing in animals with unique behavioral challenges. That same year, she founded the “Native Florida Wildlife Program” to educate both children and adults about the importance of native wildlife.
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MEET OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
KELLY HAYN
From a young age, Kelly was passionate about working with animals. She spent summers at horse camps, assisted with a dog breeding business, and worked as a kennel technician and adoption liaison during college. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2006, she interned at a marine mammal facility in Florida, gaining experience with dolphins, sea lions, and penguins.
In 2009, Kelly moved to Florida to pursue animal training, where she met Christin and began volunteering at C.A.R.E. Foundation. Over the next decade, she trained animals for Universal Studios and film productions, including Alvin and the Chipmunks and Publix commercials.
Kelly became increasingly involved with C.A.R.E., developing a strong interest in animal rescue and education. Now, as Assistant Director, she manages the volunteer program, leads tours, and applies her training skills to enhance the lives of rescue animals. Her goal is to provide a fulfilling life for the animals at C.A.R.E. and to educate the public about endangered wildlife and the exotic animal trade.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We’re grateful to receive numerous volunteer requests each month. However, due to the nature of our operations and the safety requirements of working with our animals, we can only accommodate a limited number of volunteers at a time. Our volunteers undergo a comprehensive training program, and their responsibilities are determined by seniority and evaluations from our senior staff. Given the time commitment required for training, we are not currently seeking new volunteers.
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That said, we are particularly interested in individuals with skills in construction, plumbing, or electrical work. These skills are essential for our building and improvement projects. If you have expertise in these areas and are interested in volunteering, please contact our founder, Christin, at (407) 247-8948.
Thank you for your interest! We truly appreciate our volunteers and their support!
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