About Us

 Margaret has dedicated her life to wildlife and conservation. She is originally from Chicago but at the age of 18, she worked at the Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She went on to study for her Associates Degree in Zoo Animal Technology at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida where she worked as a zookeeper while achieving her degree. After graduation she worked for Joel Slaven Professional Animals where she trained a variety of animals from cats and dogs to eagles and camels. 

In her late 20’s, Margaret returned to school at the University of West Florida to achieve her Bachelors of Arts in Legal Studies with a minor in Environmental Science. She is now currently enrolled at the University of Florida as a masters student in the Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Masters of Science program. 

In 2019, Margaret volunteered for two weeks in Kenya where she helped gather informational research with African elephants, lions, cheetah, leopards, and other African wildlife. In 2021 Margaret and Marissa founded Sunset Wildlife Connections. Margaret works in all aspects of SWC from the daily animal care to our Connection Encounters to the future vision and expansion of the foundation. 

Tommy is Margaret's husband and is originally from San Antonio, Texas. He moved to Pensacola, Florida in 2018 and opened an appliance repair business. In 2019, Tommy volunteered for two weeks in Kenya where he helped gather informational research with African elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and other African wildlife. Now Tommy runs his appliance business full-time, as well as works part-time at Sunset Wildlife Connections. Both he and Margaret live at the SWC facility with all of the animals. Tommy helps with the daily care of the ambassador animals and occasionally helps with our Connection Encounters.