La Tanière zoo-refuge

What La Tanière zoo-refuge does

La Tanière zoo-refuge is a French nonprofit animal sanctuary located on a 14-hectare site in Nogent-le-Phaye, Eure-et-Loir, near Chartres. Operating under the legal structure of a Fonds de dotation (endowment fund) recognized as of "intérêt général" (public interest), the refuge houses approximately 600 animals across 100 species in 50 enclosures and has cumulatively rescued over 4,500 animals while rehoming more than 3,700 since inception. Its core proposition differs from a traditional French zoological park: La Tanière accepts animals rescued from abandonment, abuse, illegal trafficking, laboratory use, and confiscation, providing rehabilitation, permanent sanctuary, and rehoming rather than operating a breeding or collection-building program. The organization participates in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).

The business model is a hybrid of visitor admissions, ancillary retail, and charitable giving. Revenue streams include public gate admissions to the 14-hectare refuge, an online boutique selling branded merchandise with profits reinvested in operations, and a structured donation program operated through the dedicated Fonds de dotation that supports both one-time gifts and recurring monthly contributions with French tax-deductible treatment (66% for individuals, 60% for corporates). Tiered donation amounts are linked to specific animal care outcomes (feeding, deworming, surgical procedures). Additional revenue comes from premium experiences (animal keeper for a day, VIP guided tours, children's birthday parties, night visits), group packages for CSE employee committees, schools, associations, and local authorities, and a fundraising summer tombola offering high-value prizes.

The underlying technology stack is conventional and non-proprietary: a content-managed website with online ticketing, a separate e-commerce storefront for merchandise, and a third-party donation platform (iRaiser) processing payments across credit card, SEPA instant, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Distribution combines physical visitor access at the single French site, online ticket and merchandise sales, direct group sales via a dedicated coordinator, and donor engagement through newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and earned regional media coverage. Customer segments are diversified across individual tourists and families, schools, corporate and CSE groups, individual donors, and corporate donors, with the refuge employing 47 staff supplemented by 35 animaliers.

Name

La Tanière zoo-refuge

Legal name

Fonds de dotation La Tanière

Website

https://lataniere-zoorefuge.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Tanière zoo-refuge is a nonprofit French animal sanctuary in Nogent-le-Phaye, Eure-et-Loir, operating a 14-hectare refuge housing 600 rescued animals across 100 species, funded through ticket admissions, branded merchandise retail, and a tax-deductible donation program via its Fonds de dotation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nogent-le-Phaye

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Visitor Admissions: Revenue from ticket sales for public visits to the 14-hectare refuge. Visitors pay admission fees to access the zoo-refuge and observe rescued animals.
2. Online Shop (Boutique): E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including souvenirs, medals, calendars, pencil cases, and magnets. All proceeds reinvested into animal care and rescue operations.
3. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monthly donations from individuals. Donation tiers include 30€, 61€, 206€, 503€ for one-time gifts and 12€, 23€, 53€ for monthly contributions. Tax-deductible under French law (66% deduction for individuals).
4. Corporate Donations: Corporate donations accepted with 60% tax deduction (up to 0.5% of HT turnover or 20,000€). Organizations can donate and receive fiscal benefits.
5. Group Visits and Events: Specialized packages for groups including CSE (employee committees), schools, associations, and local authorities. Customized visit experiences and animations.
6. Experiences and Activities: Paid premium experiences including 'soigneur d'un jour' (animal keeper for a day), VIP visits, children's birthday parties, and educational animations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

La Tanière zoo-refuge is a nonprofit animal sanctuary operating on 14 hectares in Nogent-le-Phaye, France, housing 600 rescued animals across 100 species in 50 enclosures. The refuge provides permanent care, veterinary treatment, and rehoming for animals rescued from abandonment, abuse, illegal detention, laboratory use, and confiscation. Its core offerings include public visits, premium experiences, an online solidarity boutique, and a donation endowment fund supporting animal welfare operations.

Product overview

La Tanière zoo-refuge operates as a unified visitor experience combining animal sanctuary tours, e-commerce, and donation services. The core offering centers on the physical refuge (14 hectares, 600 animals, 50 enclosures) with visitor access through ticketing, supported by an online boutique selling branded merchandise. Fundraising occurs through a dedicated donation platform (Fonds de dotation) offering one-time, recurring, and legacy giving options. Additional revenue streams include visitor activities (keeper experiences, VIP tours, birthday parties) and group visit packages. All operations support the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of abandoned, mistreated, or confiscated animals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Boutique La Tanière: The refuge's online solidarity shop selling merchandise (souvenir medals, calendars, pouches) with proceeds reinvested into animal care and rescue operations.
• Fonds de dotation La Tanière

Products and services

• Zoo-Refuge Visits Public access to the 14-hectare refuge housing approximately 600 animals across 100 species in 50 enclosures. Visitors can explore the grounds, encounter rescued animals including primates, big cats, seals, elephants, and birds, and learn about animal welfare and conservation. Tickets are sold online and at the entrance.
• Visitor Activities and Experiences Enhanced visitor experiences including 'soigneur d'un jour' (animal keeper for a day), VIP guided tours, children's birthday parties, and educational animations. Night events and special seasonal activities are also offered during summer months.
• Group and Institutional Visits Customized visit packages for companies (CSE), school groups, associations, local authorities, and specialized care facilities. Includes tailored formulas and educational content for diverse group needs.
• Online Solidarity Boutique E-commerce store selling La Tanière branded merchandise including souvenir medals, calendars, pencil cases, and magnets. All profits are reinvested into animal care, feeding, medical treatment, and future rescue operations.
• Donation Services (Fonds de dotation) Structured giving programs including one-time donations, monthly recurring donations, legacies, and gifts. Donors receive French tax deductions (66% for individuals, 60% for companies) and can contribute to specific animal care costs such as feed, veterinary supplies, deworming, or surgical interventions.
• Summer Tombola Annual fundraising lottery offering prizes such as vehicles (Fiat Grande, Topolino). Proceeds support refuge operations and animal care.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ animals rescued and 3,700+ successfully rehomed since inception
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• The Wildcat Sanctuary: Minnesota-based nonprofit sanctuary for wildcats and other wild animals. Comparable for rescue/rehabilitation mission, public visits, and donation-based nonprofit funding structure.
• Refuge de l'Arche: French animal sanctuary operating in Le Mans, France. Directly comparable as a nonprofit rescue and retirement refuge for wild and exotic animals, with public visits and donation-driven funding.
• The Aspinall Foundation: UK-based charity running Howletts and Port Lympne wildlife parks with conservation breeding and rescue. Comparable for combining public-facing wildlife parks with conservation mission and donation-supported funding.
• Fondation Brigitte Bardot: Major French animal welfare nonprofit. Comparable as a French NGO supporting animal rescue, lobbying, and shelter operations with established donor base and brand recognition.
• Big Cat Rescue (Tampa): Florida-based nonprofit big cat sanctuary with public tours and donation-driven funding. Comparable for animal rescue mission, public visit experiences, and donor-supported operational model.

Regional players

• Zoo de la Flèche: One of France's largest privately owned zoos. Comparable as a French zoological attraction with public visits, educational programming, and animal care operations in rural France, but with commercial ownership model.

Broad incumbents

• 30 Millions d'Amis: French animal welfare foundation with strong brand and recurring donor base. Comparable for donation-driven funding model, but focuses primarily on companion animal advocacy rather than wildlife sanctuary operations.
• Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA): France's largest and oldest animal protection association. Comparable as a French animal welfare nonprofit operating shelters and refuges nationally, but with a broader companion animal focus rather than exotic wildlife.
• Pairi Daiza: Major Belgian zoological park with conservation programs and public visits. Comparable as a European wildlife attraction with broad species portfolio, though operates commercially rather than as a pure rescue refuge.
• Vier Pfoten / Four Paws: International animal welfare organization operating sanctuaries (e.g., Big Cat Centre) across Europe. Comparable for rescue-and-rehabilitation model with public visits and donations as primary revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOjGZc_35ZqDYBBAi2383yw
• Facebookfacebook.com/fondsdedotationlataniere
• Instagraminstagram.com/fddlataniere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-tani%C3%A8re-zoo-refuge

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Tanière zoo-refuge