George Aycrigg/News Chief

Atkinson, founder and director of the sanctuary, will have his license revoked because of not meeting federal requirements. Papers were signed last week to close down the facility and to cut off his license.

Currently, his state license is good until September, but without an exhibitors license, he can't keep the facility open.

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been trying to close us down for nine years and they finally succeeded," Atkinson said.

It has been an uphill battle to keep the facility open, Atkinson said.

Atkinson has been in a tug-of-war with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission since 1999, when the wildlife inspectors changed. Since then, he's been receiving citations regarding the cage requirements for young animals.

In 2003, Atkinson had more than 20 violation citations. In 2006, he was charged for failure to meet minimum wildlife cage requirements of FFWC.

He's had citations regarding keeping young animals in proper cages because the animals are susceptible to leg injuries.

For example, his animals were in a cage 12 feet by 12 feet, and the federal law says the cage needs to be 10 feet by 24 feet, he said. However, FFWC said the facilities he had were not good for the animals.

Friends of Atkinson said they don't understand the action to close the facility.

"I think it's an immediate situation ... I don't understand how it is for the betterment of animals," said Michele Clark, a Winter Haven resident and former sanctuary volunteer.

The facility has 60 animals that will now need a place to live. That has been the hardest task, Atkinson said.

"The alternative is for them to be euthanized," he said.

That's the last thing he said that he wants to happen. Atkinson has found a couple of places for some of the animals. One of the 20 tigers have been transported to Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, he said. However, it is extremely hard to place animals somewhere they are not used to.

He has four black bears and five lions that are older and are difficult to place.

Finding a place is one of many worries for Atkinson. He said he doesn't have any money to transport the animals to other facilities. Atkinson said he's thankful for friends helping him out, but he hasn't even been able to afford to keep facility.

It takes $6,000 to $8,000 a month to run the facility, and Atkinson hasn't made that much money in the last six months.

"We brought in about $2,000 in the last two months," he said.

Atkinson has given up his life for the facility, and said he is disappointed that he has to see it go away.

"I spent the last 30 years caring for animals," he said. "I have gone without food so they can eat."

George Aycrigg/News Chief

Atkinson said he does feel that other animal organizations don't think his facility lives up to animal exhibit expectations and he believes they may have wanted to see this happen.

He said he knows that there are probably more facilities that look better than his, but he cares about the animals just as much as any other animal facility, he said.

"He's put the animals before his own comfort and pleasures," said Velma Daniels, a Winter Haven resident.

While he is trying to find homes for the animals, Atkinson said he hopes the state will try to do more so that the animals won't have to die if they are not placed.

Horseshoe Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization that started 1984 and was incorporated in 1994.

For details, or to donate to the facility, call Atkinson at 863-295-3547 or visit www.horseshoecreekwildlife.org.

maya.carpenter@newschief.com