Carolina Tiger Rescue Executive Director Pam Fulk says the new name says it all.

"When we started, we were working with the preservation [of] threatened or endangered animals; and over the last decade we refocused [on] rescue as our priority, so we felt the name should reflect that," Fulk said.

Fulk says they've developed a 20-year plan that includes improving the habitats and care of the animals with the help of recent donations of more than $250,000 dollars from the estates of local supporters.

"What it does is allow us to hire a full time development director, the second is to hire a full time educator," Fulk said.

She says educating people about these exotic tigers and other wild cats is one of the CTR's priorities.

"It's really cool to come here and see animals that we don't see, well, ever," Sean Gentri said.

"It's our responsibility to preserve the earth and all it's wildlife," Sean's mother Terry Gentri added.

It costs nearly $600,000 a year to run the facility, but Fulk says people have been stepping up for these animals.

"We've really had a great year despite the economy," Fulk said. "Our overall revenue is up 15 percent."

"I'm really excited to have this money not because someone makes money, but it all goes directly to the animals," CTR intern Heather Myers said.

CTR hopes it can use the money to also provide educational space with interactive workshops for people who come through the facility.

To schedule a tour or learn more about the Carolina Tiger Rescue click here.