In 2017, Chris Vane took a chance on a long-time dream and purchased a 30-acre property in Southwest Florida. This was no ordinary home purchase, though. Chris wanted to create a safe space for abandoned and abused animals to live out the rest of their lives in peace, free of cages. With the support of community members and total strangers alike, Chris has been able to love and care for over 150 different animals at his sanctuary over the years—and he has big plans to help countless more.

Step out into Christopher Vane’s backyard and you’ll quickly learn that the Punta Gorda man has a whole lot of pets.

“We have over 150 farm animals, 74 pigs … these animals have come from hoarding, situations, neglect, abuse,” Vane said.

Chris Vane lost focus as he sat in the crowd at a real estate seminar. It was 2015. He was more than a decade into a second career.

As the speaker offered up million-dollar ideas, Vane’s mind was a million miles away.

Christopher Vane opened Florida's Little Bear Sanctuary in honor of his late mother, who taught him compassion. He's saved more than 150 farm animals.

His mission is to make sure that every animal in his care lives a cruelty-free life. 

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Little Bear Sanctuary in Punta Gorda has been nationally and globally recognized for the rescue of over 150 animals from abusive situations.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Chris Vane knew he always wanted to work with animals, but it took a mid-life crisis to get him to actually do it. 

“The light bulb went off, literally, and I said I’m going to open an animal sanctuary,” Vane recalled.