Hybrid Cat Rescued

A hurricane in 2005 ravaged a facility called South Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Homestead, FL. The perimeter fence was demolished and piles of leaves and branches covered the cage roof tops. The founder of the center had tried to clean up the mess by himself and wound up in the hospital after suffering a heart attack.

He wrote from what he thought was his deathbed back then to anyone and everyone he could think of asking for help; and asking for help was not something that came easily to this hard working German.

We sent supplies and Big Cat Rescuers to help with the clean up. What we found, when we arrived, was a man who was way in over his head. Donations were almost non existent, the cages were old, dilapidated, small and concrete floored. The freezer had been damaged and the entire food supply had been lost.

The founder managed to keep his sanctuary afloat, if just barely, for the next 8 years, but a couple days ago one of his volunteers contacted us to say that the founder was dying of brain cancer in the hospital and that she had convinced him to let the animals go to other homes. We were able to take in JoJo a 10-year-old caracal serval hybrid. Our sweet caracal, Rose, had passed away July 31st and her cage was empty.

JoJo had spent at least the past 8 years living in a 60 square foot cage with a concrete floor. Now at Big Cat Rescue he is enjoying 1200 square feet of natural habitat. He seems to love lounging in the high grasses atop his cave den the most. He can be found here almost any time of the day. He has settled right into his new home and is loving every minute.

You can sponsor JoJo here: http://www.bigcatrescue.biz/

Read the entire story about JoJo here:  http://bigcatrescue.org/jojo/

Help us Rescue Reise the Cougar

There is only one cat left at the South Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Homestead, FL and her name is Reise. When we picked up JoJo a few weeks ago, Reise had a home waiting for her, but it fell through.  Now all of the other animals have been placed, but Reise needs a home.

Reise is a cougar from Texas who had been declawed as a cub, but whoever did it just butchered her paws, so the nails keep growing back. Reise is the last animal to need a home, but no one wanted to deal with her medical issues. We agreed to take Reise and have been trying for weeks to arrange a time that we, the FWC and the volunteer from SFWRC can all be there. We plan to accomplish this soon, but need your help.

Whenever we are contacted about a rescue we have to take into consideration the welfare of the other cats at the sanctuary.  We have created an Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation to insure the long term sustainability of the sanctuary.  Right now they are offering a 33% match, so if want to make sure that we can always help cats like Reise, please donate at this link and your generosity will be matched by 33%.

Tigers in Paradise

The new 2.5 acre Vacation Rotation Enclosure has been enjoyed by several of our resident tigers including Bengali, Flavio, Bella, and now Alex. Each has had a turn enjoying this little slice of paradise in their own unique way. Bengali loved scratching on the large log piles and going for dips in the pond, Flavio enjoyed afternoon naps under the pine trees, Bella was always up to something never taking for granted the new exciting space, and Alex relishes in long leisurely strolls and perching atop the massive jungle gym. Next to go on vacation will be TJ. He loves his pool so we are all eagerly awaiting his reaction to the large natural pond!

The $200,000 Vacation Rotation Enclosure took 11 months to build and includes an extra large cave den, swimming pond, two massive jungle gyms, trees, bushes, and enough room to get up to a full speed run!

Our sincere thanks to the many donors who so far have funded 86% of this project, and special thanks to major donors Reitzel Foundation, Larry and Pam Trissel, the Little Family Foundation, and David G. Nugent in memory of Barbara M. Nugent.

We are still $27,209 from meeting our fundraising goal for the construction of the Vacation Rotation Enclosure.

Tee Up for Tigers

Are You Ready To “Tee-Up For Tigers” and Win a Brand New 2014 Jaguar XJ?

Big Cat Rescue is once again teaming up with our friends at Seminole Lake Country Club in conducting the sanctuary’s 2nd Annual “Tee-Up for Tigers” fundraising golf tournament on Saturday, October 5th.

Big Cat Rescue is proud to introduce Jaguar of Tampa as a major sponsor this year, providing

• Hole in One Contest for your chance to win a 2014 Jaguar XJ

• Closest-to-pin contest, win a weekend’s use of a new Jaguar

Date:

Saturday, October 5th, 2013

Location:

Seminole Lake Country Club 6100 Augusta Boulevard Seminole, FL. 33777

Format:

Four Player Team Scramble. Teams may be comprised of all men, all women or a combination of both

Itinerary:

1:00 pm: Shotgun Start

6:00 pm: Awards Banquet & Special Events to Include a Silent Auction and Raffle

Entry Fee:  $100.00 Per Person Includes

Golf Fees ~ Range Balls ~ Goody Bag ~ Awards Banquet ~ Prize Purse ~ On Course Prizes

To sign up, sponsor or for additional information please contact:

Tournament Chairman:  Karen Jay: 727-391-3318  kjay@seminolelake.net

Big Cat Rescue Director of Donor Appreciation:  813-373-9033 Appreciation@BigCatRescue.org

Lions and Tigers and Dragons, oh my!

We’re SO excited to be partnering with The Body Shop USA as they launch their Dragon Fruit Lip Butter Campaign, allowing customers to vote for a choice of three great charities.

Now through November 3 with any purchase you’ll receive a token which you can use to vote for Big Cat Rescue. Buy super-moisturizing Dragon Fruit Lip Butter and you get a second token to vote with.

You can also go to: http://tinyurl.com/tbsvote to vote online!

100% of the profits from the sale of the Dragon Fruit Lip Butter go to charity so the greater the sales, the greater the funding. The more votes we get, the greater the amount of funding we receive!

Video: Big Cats Make Bad Pets

The main reason so many big cats are bred and then dumped into private hands is because some ignorant people will still pay to touch or see cubs on display.  The USDA is considering a revision to their rule that would ban cub handling by the public.  They are seeking comments until Oct. 4, 2013 and they are hearing from all the bad guys who profit off breeding lion and tiger cubs, ripping them from their moms and then using them as pay to play props.  The USDA needs to hear from YOU.  We make it easy here:  http://catlaws.com

Halloween Games, Puzzles and Things to Do

Big Cat Rescue will be offering a one night Spook-tacular haunted trail on Friday Oct. 25, 2013.  It’s Growl-O-Ween at Big Cat Rescue.

Check out all of the new Halloween e-cards, games, puzzles and fun things to do with your kids at:

http://www.bigcatfun.com/halloween.html

Good News for Bobcats

After thousands of phone calls, emails and faxes from activists and supporters such as you, Assembly Bill 1213 — a bill to address unlimited commercial trapping of bobcats in California — passed the California legislature earlier this month and now goes to the Governor to be signed into law.  If you are a CA resident, you can let the Governor know that you want him to sign this bill to protect bobcats into law.  http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=14297

Good News for Performing Cats

West Hollywood’s City Council unanimously passed its ban on commercial uses for exotic or wild animals.

Sponsored by Councilmembers Jeffrey Prang and John Duran, the ordinance prohibits the use of wild animals such as elephants, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and chimpanzees from any performance acts, including circuses, carnivals, parades or kids’ rides. It is seen as an extension of the city’s reputation as being animal compassionate.

We applaud West Hollywood for joining other cities such as Pasadena, Santa Ana and Huntington Beach who have passed the ordinance.

Councilmember John D’Amico praised the ban and reminded the audience that the city’s fur ban, which he sponsored, goes into effect on Sept. 21.

Top 5 Most Shocking Incidents of Big Cat Exploitation

We hope by sharing a new list with you each month that you will join us in speaking out for the big cats and cubs that are exploited across this country every day. We encourage you to take one small action today and reach out via phone or email to contact one or more of the offenders listed below and politely express your concern. Together we can be the voice for the voiceless…together we can make a difference. Please join us in our mission of Caring for Cats & Ending the Trade. If you learn of exotic cats or cubs being exploited in your area, please contact Susan Bass at Susan.Bass@BigCatRescue.org.

No. 1 DirecTV has launched a national “super fan” commercial which features a tiger walking into the room of a house, lying down and then being used as a footstool. The use of tigers and other big cats by advertisers in commercials needs to end. Please contact Keith Kazerman, Senior Vice President of National Advertising Sales at DirecTV, and let him know big cat lovers do NOT want to watch a tiger being exploited for entertainment and profit. Ask him to please remove the ad and no longer use big cats. Contact Keith Kazerman at keith.kazerman@directv.com. You can also contact DirecTV customer service at this link, where your concerns will be sent to DirecTV management. http://support.directv.com/app/ask. Leave a comment on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/directv

No. 2 The Clay County Fair (Iowa), which just ended last weekend, bills itself as the “world’s greatest county fair.” But we believe the tigers in the Big Cat Encounter circus show, where the big cats were forced to perform multiple times each day for all 9 days of the fair, would strongly disagree. Click here to let the fair’s management and major sponsor know animal lovers want circus acts with big cats to stop.  http://catlaws.com

No. 3 A supporter has alerted us that the Michigan Renaissance Festival (Michigan) –which runs for 6 weekends from August 17 to Sept. 27 – has an exotic animal exhibit for the first time this year. Guests can hold cubs and have their photos taken for a “donation.” The cub cages are sandwiched between a beer tent and a weapons store; across from a fighting demonstration! They are in tiny cages and terrified of the noise. The supporter saw NO food or water for the cubs! Please contact the festival’s management and politely let them know you are shocked by their inhumane treatment of these baby big cats. Ask them to stop hosting abusive cub exhibits! Contact General Manager Kathy Parker at gm@michrenfest.com or 248-634-5552. Visit their Facebook page and post a comment: https://www.facebook.com/#!/michrenfest

No. 4 The Cumberland County Fair (North Carolina) started September 12 and is exploiting big cats by hosting the One World Exotic Animal Show. This tiger show forces big cats to perform multiple times for each of the 11 days of the fair. Fair manager Hubert Bullard is quoted in a local newspaper article saying “people love animals at the fair.” Would you take a minute to let him know that MANY people do NOT want to see big cats and other animals used as entertainment at fairs! Contact Hubert Bullard at hbullard@sc.rr.com. You can post a comment on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/373986379394156/

No. 5 Shrine temples (195 of them) often partner with circuses that have long histories of animal abuse. Shriners International does great work helping children, but Shrine temples are not helping big cats by having wild animal circuses as fundraisers! Please send a polite message to John Cinotto, Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, and let him know that being associated with abusive circuses is not a good idea for his organization. Call Shriners International headquarters at 813-281-0300 or email ShrinePR@shrinenet.org. Post a comment on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/shrinersinternational

Do You Live in Houston or Philly?

Want to get more involved in saving big cats?  If so you may want to join our big cat coalition partner IFAW.

Here are links to our FB invite to the upcoming big cat briefings in Houston and Philly.

Houston:

https://www.facebook.com/events/628601610505991/

Philly:

https://www.facebook.com/events/575288462529363/

Let us know if you will be going by sending an email to Howard.Baskin@BigCatRescue.org

Thank you for taking the time to be a voice for the big cats.  Please share this page too!