Boomer
October 18, 2014 - April 7, 2026
Loving Adoptive Parents: Geoffrey & Alan Steinberg - Philadelphia, PA
We are heartbroken to share that we very suddenly lost Boomer.
We want to start by saying this: cancer sucks. It affects people, it affects animals, and it affects everyone who loves them. It has taken too many of our beloved animals here at CARE, and it has done so again. And this particular kind of cancer is especially cruel.
During morning rounds, Derek found Boomer lying on his platform, one of his favorite spots, as if he were simply taking a nap.
After a necropsy, we learned that Boomer had pancreatic cancer. His spleen ruptured, and he hemorrhaged. There were no signs leading up to this — none. Unfortunately, that can happen with this type of cancer, which is known for being silent and aggressive.
Part of providing lifetime care to animals means experiencing loss. It is a reality of the world we live in, but it is especially hard when that loss comes years before we’re ready.
Boomer came to us as a tiny cub at just four weeks old, and we can confidently say he lived a very loved life here. He and his brother were more than a handful as youngsters but grew into such incredible tigers — big and strong, steady, and so expressive.
Boomer loved his brother Slade, his caretakers, and his food — probably food the most. He spent his days playing, napping in the grass and the sunshine, relaxing in his pool, and snuffling at everyone who walked by. And he always had that same sweet baby chuff he had as a tiny cub.
He was cherished every single day of his eleven years with us. We are still reeling from this loss, but we are also so incredibly grateful for the time we had with him. He truly was one of the most remarkable tigers and we miss him so, so terribly.
Boomer's Bio
Boomer and his brother Slade are two massive tigers who came to live at CARE in the Fall of 2014 when they were still tiny cubs. They belonged to a private owner in Florida who was looking for a good home for them to grow up and live the rest of their lives. The owner contacted us to see if we would be able to care for them, and the rest is history.
When the boys first arrived, they were tiny and sweet. Once they started getting bigger - and they got A LOT bigger fast - they were always getting into all kinds of trouble! All these boys wanted to do was bite, bite, bite on everything. Boomer was usually the calmer of the two, if there even was a calm one. For several years as they grew they were total chaos and mayhem.
The brothers were eventually separated when maturity led to aggression towards one another. They are still neighbors though and spend time together, just with the protection of a fence between them - which they both prefer.
These tiny cubs grew into two massive tigers - nicknamed "The Monsters" simply because of their sheer size and strength. But they have mellowed in their adult years, becoming loving, goofy guys who spend their time snuffling at people trying to get attention, stalking tour groups, and eating a ton!
