Where can I start in order to work with animals like Tigers and Lions and possibly some other big cats or dogs?

I'm 14 and going into high school. Live in CA. My whole life I've known that I have a passion for animals, but recently I seemed to take an interest in Tigers and Lions. So what can I do to start? What good colleges can I look at to help reach this goal? And what classes? And also, are they any good paying jobs in this area of interest. I would especially like to work in a rescue where they are born and you raise then from a cub. I am very well aware thy this job will NOT all be fun and games. But , I am a very hard worker with all A's and B's in school and am taking summer school classes to get ahead in high school? Any info will help a lot. And all answers would be very much appreciated..... Thank u