Big Cat Rescue Honored as 2014 Top-Rated NonProfit

by GreatNonprofits.org Award is based on Positive Online Reviews

Keisha Tiger on her first "Vacation" in the Vacation Rotation enclosure

Thanks to YOU!

Last month, after some animal exploiters posted some fake reviews to try and bring our scores down, we asked you to post reviews about Big Cat Rescue if you had been here to several sites and today it was announced that we won the prestigious 2014 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.  Way to go, you guys!

The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that Big Cat Rescue received – reviews written by volunteers, donors and clients. People posted their personal experience with BCR. For example, one person wrote, “Big Cat Rescue is the most wonderful place you can ever visit! I was there last year and GOSH, the animals and their enclosures are gorgeous! The tour guide was friendly and knew her thing. The animals were playful and happy and anyone who says otherwise has not been there! I recommend BCR for anyone who loves, or even LIKES animals.”

While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, Big Cat Rescue was one of the first groups to qualify for the 2014. In addition, we’ll be added to Great Nonprofits #GivingTuesday Guide—an interactive guide to top nonprofits throughout the years. Look for this near the holidays.

“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “People with direct experience with Big Cat Rescue have voted that the organization is making a real difference.”

Being on the Top-Rated list gives donors and volunteers more confidence that this is a credible organization. The reviews by volunteers, clients and other donors show the on-the-ground results of this nonprofit. This award is a form of recognition by the community.

Sad Goodbye to Shere Khan the Tiger

Shere Khan and China Doll were the first tigers to reign over Big Cat Rescue.  We had been keeping a watchful eye over Shere Khan since the first of the year as old age began taking its toll on him, but were shocked and saddened when his mate of 19 years, China Doll, had a sudden stroke and had to be euthanized in April.

Shere Khan always tried to please, and dutifully took his meds (after much coaxing every day) and ate, but would eat just enough to survive.  It was clear that he pined for his life long cage mate and we did all we could to keep him company, but his health declined rapidly and by August we knew that it would only be humane to let him pass peacefully.  It is still hard to write this, because I just can't imagine the sanctuary without these two wonderful tigers.

T.I.G.E.R.S. Exposed

This is the best article I've seen exposing what really happens when you pay to play with baby wild animals.  I believe that two of the worst exploiters of big cats and their cubs are T.I.G.E.R.S. and GW Zoo due to the vast number of cubs that must be produced each year to satisfy the demand they create for pay to play sessions with baby lion, tiger and liger cubs.  This article has great photos and even better reporting:

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/exposed-t-i-g-e-r-s-a-tourist-attraction-above-wildlife-conservation/

Some New Videos Since Last AdvoCat

We have a new Media Producer, T.O. Lawrence, and he has some new ideas.  We will continue to post one great video a week at BigCatTV.com but every day or every other day will be short, updates on the cats you know and love.  To never miss a video, be sure to subscribe at BigCatTV.com

Kali the Tiger's Rescue

Aspen Cougar Celebrates 500K Facebook Followers

Kali Tiger Update

Mickey the Cougar Gets Rescued

Help Us Build the Windsong Memorial Hospital

Update on Mickey the Cougar

Mickey’s surgery was successful and he has spent the last few weeks recovering very well.  An artificial ligament was installed in his left rear knee to help stabilize the joint. He still only has access to one half of his enclosure.  Dr. Hay will come out to visit Mickey in the coming week to see how he is progressing.  In the meantime we have started physical therapy sessions with him which include slow walking laps around his enclosure to encourage proper utilization of his repaired joint.  If everything goes well over the next few months he will have the same procedure performed on his other knee.

Wild About 30

is a benefit for Big Cat Rescue, but it’s a purrrrrrfect time to take a walk on the wild side and celebrate Centre Club Tampa's 30th anniversary Charity Classic event! Dance the night away to live music, sip handcrafted cocktails and enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres benefiting Big Cat Rescue, E.P.C.F., and Augie's Quest.

Rrrrrrreservations required so RSVP today! 813-286-4040
https://classic.als.net/Register/?id=1201

Rock to the Rescue Gives $10,000 Grant

Big Cat Rescue was truly delighted to learn that the sanctuary has been selected as recipient of a $10,000 Rock to the Rescue grant.

Rock to the Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by classic rock band Styx, whose mission is to build strong communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country. Rock to the Rescue has a special interest in supporting sanctuaries that provide humane and non exploitative care to wildlife.

Ms. Hannah Shaw, Director of Rock to the Rescue notified Jeff Kremer, the sanctuary’s Director of Donor Appreciation that Rock to the Rescue's band and board had voted to award Big Cat Rescue a $10,000 gift to help fund construction of the sanctuary’s new “Small Cat Vacation Rotation” habitat!

"Rock to the Rescue is impressed with the sanctuary’s education and advocacy efforts on behalf of wild cats, and could not be happier to support this important mission” said Ms. Shaw.

Styx's Rock to the Rescue has provided over $2 million in support of grassroots animal organizations, music education programs, and disaster relief efforts. The nonprofit is an important component of the band's national tours, with fundraisers supporting the local community in every city the band performs.

For more information, visit: http://rocktotherescue.net and be sure to “Like” them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockToTheRescue

Petition to Rebut False Claims

Whenever someone does something nice for Big Cat Rescue, the animal abusers come out attacking them and often set up hateful petitions to either try and discredit us or to bully the donor into hiding their support for our cause.  Change.org seems to be one of their favorite places to create these hate campaigns, so we set up a quick and easy petition that we will be able to show donors, when the bad guys strike.

Would you take a moment to add your name as a supporter of big cat rescue to our Change.org petition so that we can show that there are far more people who love animals and Big Cat Rescue than those who seek to harm?  https://www.change.org/p/supporters-help-stop-big-cat-abuse

Big Cat Bingo

A huge thanks to the supporters, volunteers and interns who helped make our latest bingo night at Hamburger Mary’s in Clearwater and in Tampa both roaring successes.

Stop Tiger Abuse at Georgia State Fair

The Georgia State Fair is planning to host a tiger exhibit by All Things Wild on September 26, even after being informed that handler Marcus Cook has been charged with almost 100 VIOLATIONS of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Some of his violations include using a cattle prod on a tiger during an exhibition, keeping five tiger cubs in a trailer and allowing urine to saturate the subflooring, and keeping tigers in metal enclosures in 100-degree heat!

Take action here:  Sign PeTA Petition

Amazon Smile Shout Out!

A huge shout out to everyone who has donated items from our Amazon wishlist and who has chosen Big Cat Rescue as their charity of choice in  https://smile.amazon.com/  We just got a check for close to $900.00 thanks to people like you choosing us when they shop at Amazon.  It costs you nothing more and is an easy way to donate to the cats.

Please note that when you donate through Amazon we don't get your name or address to send a thank you note, but please know that your help is GRRrrrreatly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us.  Please share this September AdvoCat newsletter with your friends and family on all of your social sites.