Pittsboro animal sanctuary will take your discarded Christmas tree

Now that the holiday is over, many people are likely wondering what to do with their Christmas tree.

Posted 11:56 a.m. Dec 26, 2019 — Updated 11:57 a.m. Dec 26, 2019

Kasey Cunningham

, WRAL reporter

PITTSBORO, N.C. — Now that the holiday is over, many people are likely wondering what to do with their Christmas tree.

The Carolina Tiger Rescue, located at 1940 Hanks Chapel Road in Pittsboro, could be an option.

The wildlife animal sanctuary is collecting leftover Christmas trees for their tigers and other animals who will use the trees as part of their daily enrichment to help boost mental stimulation.

The organization rescue tigers and other animals who have been kept as household pets or surrendered by a roadside zoo.

Officials said they have been caring for animals for over 45 years on their 67-acre site in Chatham County. Visitors can see the animals by appointment only, and tickets can be puchased on their website.

Officials at the wildlife sanctuary say the trees help combat boredom among their animals because workers will hide food in the trees or mask them with the animals' favorite scent.

"They get really really excited just to have something new in their enclosure (that is) something new that they can smell and rub on," said Michelle Meyers, who works at the animal sanctuary. "It lasts almost all day (and) the magic doesn't wear off. It's just a really great way to keep them engaged."

Three of the center's big cats prefer the smell from Calvin Klein Obsession because of the musk contained in the perfume.

The center is currently accepting plain, undecorated trees from Christmas through the end of January.

They can be left rescue agency's parking lot.