The trust has agreed to rescue two males and two females before the Sept. 16 deadline. Any animals at the Warrenton facility after that date will be euthanized, according to the Warren County sheriff.

"We would love to be able to take the remaining 23 tigers, but our new quarantine facility will only house up to four big cats at one time,' said Pam Fulk, executive director of the trust. "The safety of the animals already in (our) care is our first priority, and we won't jeopardize that by bringing in animals without quarantine or by bringing in more than we can care for properly."

It will cost the trust approximately $9,400 to bring the tigers to Pittsboro. The larger rescue operation requires contracting with an animal transport company that can provide additional crates, a semi-truck that can carry four big cats, and heavy equipment to load the cats in Missouri for their journey to the trust. The trust may also need to send a rescue team, including a vet, to assist in loading the cats for transport.

"We are counting on the public to help us raise the money necessary to get these four cats to (us)," Fulk said. "They have little time to spare."

In addition, it will cost about $5,000 a year to care for each of the new tigers. The trust will be raising additional funds to support the tigers for the rest of their lives.

Those interested in donating to CPT may do so online by visiting www.cptigers.org and clicking on "Donations." To ensure the full donation goes to the cats, donors can mail their checks made payable to CPT to 1940 Hanks Chapel Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Donors can designate their gift to the "Bring Them Home" campaign for this rescue, or leave their gift undesignated to be used for the care of all of the animals at CPT. Any designated funds not expended for this rescue will be applied to the next CPT rescue.