April 29 2018

Afton's Coordinator Notes for 4/27/2018

Trenches that had been dug for better WiFi around the sanctuary in outback were filled and smoothed out.

We got a few sign-offs for operant and enrichment completed this afternoon.

We have a workgroup coming the 28th, and we will be cleaning up Sheena and Servie's cages as much as possible.

Angie Gabor's Coordinator Notes for 4/28/2018

We were a lean but mean group today. Every section was cleaned and fed. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped us achieve that.

Awesome workgroup that did a great job at cleaning out Servie's enclosure (she was very grateful and inspected the work immediately after they were done), also the front section of Sheena's enclosure (Mainly cause she refused to cooperate and shift), and since Sheena would not allow us to clean her back side(hehe) they shifted over to the front side of Kricket's enclosure.

Lots and lots of sign-offs got done today. We had 2 cougar enrichment, 2 red level enrichment, big cat feeding, and lots of tour sign-offs.

Please join us in congratulating the following;

Abbey Rivett has been promoted to Level 3 Intern

Barbara Brooks has been promoted to Keeper

Alyssa Engiles has been promoted to Keeper

Bethany Smith has been promoted to Keeper

For outstanding volunteer service, the April SAVE Award goes to Alyssa Engiles! Alyssa helps out in every aspect of being a keeper from keeping watch over the cats and detering vultures in the morning, doing an excellent job cleaning enclosures, putting her all into projects and even staying late to help with the afternoon chores. Thank you Alyssa you are a true super star!

In honor of Alyssa a $1,000 donation was made to Audubon Canyon Ranch to protect mountain lions!

Audubon Canyon Ranch is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental conservation and education organization, founded in 1962. Today, Audubon Canyon Ranch acts as guardian of a system of nature preserves spanning 26 properties in California. ACR works to improve global environmental health by conserving and stewarding valuable natural resources, managing for ecological resilience, providing scientific solutions to ecosystem management, and teaching generations of conservationists in ways that strengthen natural and human communities.

In honor of Alyssa a $1,000 donation was made to Audubon Canyon Ranch to protect mountain lions!

Living with Lions is a community-based mountain lion research and education project in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma and Napa Counties that will increase scientific and public understanding of mountain lions, identify priority habitat areas for conservation, and increase appreciation for these important top predators. By expanding their knowledge of mountain lion behavior, population size, feeding habits, home range, and movements, ACR can contribute to their conservation and the protection of the habitat critical for mountain lion survival while minimizing conflict with humans.

ACR’s principal investigator on the Project is Dr. Quinton Martins, a leading expert on large mountain cats and a skilled predator trapper. Together with a team of ACR staff and advisors, Dr. Martins is studying the movement of mountain lions fitted with GPS collars within a study area that encompasses approximately 1,000 square miles, primarily in the Mayacamas Mountains (areas east of Highway 101 and west of 29) in Sonoma and Napa Counties. Living with Lions will lead to a better understanding of mountain lion ecology, connectivity in this fragmented landscape, and identification of priority areas for conservation.

ACR believes that conservation is successful when people feel personally connected to nature. Mountain lions are such an iconic and charismatic species, inspiring awe, curiosity, and sometimes fear in a way that few other animals do. Through cutting-edge research, ACR continues to lead regional conservation and, through a greater understanding and appreciation of our natural world, create a better environment for all communities.

https://egret.org/living-with-lions

ONLY TODAY & TOMORROW to do a Facebook Fundraiser for Big Cat Rescue to help us help circus lions and tigers be rescued from Guatemala.

During the Month April, all $ donated to Big Cat Rescue through Facebook Fundraisers will be earmarked to help with this huge rescue.

Learn how EASY it is to set up a Facebook Fundraiser for Big Cat Rescue at BigCatRescue.org/facebook-fundraiser/

Learn more about this huge rescue operation for Guatemala circus cats at BigCatRescue.org/circusban

Andy Tiger wants to THANK YOU for caring enough to help us help the cats in Guatemala.

Brittany Mira is joining us as staff to grow our online sales on Amazon and Shopify and to help grow our social presence on Instagram, SnapChat, and other channels.

This is both an entrepreneurial and artistic photographic role that we felt Brittany was uniquely qualified to fill. It was not a situation where we had a job that needed to be filled, but rather is a job that Brittany is prepared to grow to fund the added cost to the sanctuary and dramatically increase funding for the cats.

Many of you have expressed interest in getting to know our Keepers and Partners better. Brittany will be showcasing more of them for you.

Help us welcome Brittany Mira as a new staff member.

Many of you may already know Brittany as she has been a member of the Moderator Team in our Official Facebook Group at Facebook.com/groups/bigcatrescue/ If you have not yet joined that group, please know you are formally being invited to do so so you won't miss keeper photos that get posted there.

If you have missed any of the several past Facebook LIVE Videos you can find them all posted at DailyBigCat.com which is our secondary YouTube channel.

On those videos, you can get the updates on ZZeus, Clover, Andi, the Guatemala Rescue efforts, and so much more.

EN VIVO: Estos 3 gatos African Servals tienen MUCHAS ganas de comer la merienda ❤

From The Law Firm of Catz, Kats, Morekatz and a Rat

April 29, 2018

Dear Sir/Madam:

Our office was contacted by several residents of your gated community with various complaints, to wit:

1. Cameron Lion contacted us regarding the body shaming of his companion, Zabu Tigress. He states that she is being called “fluffy,” “round,” “full-bodied,” and “fat.” This is called bullying, and it must stop immediately.

2. Her Royal Lioness, Nikita, feels that she is being ignored and all attention has been transferred to Shamrock the rehab bobkitten. She offers as evidence the number of pictures posted on Explore.org. She estimates there are at least 7 Shamrock pictures for every 1 of HRL. She is NOT pleased and is thinking about taking names and having a stockade built for the offenders. Further, she is considering being unavailable when tours come by in the future unless things change, and soon.

3. Cameron Lion again complained about being shorted by two days on his last vacation. He and Zabu were forced to remain locked up while some construction was going on in the VR and then had to leave a day early – yet the stinky Texas Tigers get 3 weeks of vacation. Cameron demands equal time for his and Zabu’s next turn.

4. BillErnie complains that everyone but him is getting treats. He demands equal food opportunities.

5. Regarding the Big Cat Rescue Salon and Spa. We thought we had closed that place down and are horrified to learn that it is still open and “servicing” customers. We understand the latest incident involved Clover Bobkitten, who not only had her face shaved but also got her feet painted.

We expect swift and immediate action be taken regarding these complaints.

Sincerely,

Iam Feelin Grumpee, Partner
Catz, Kats, Morekatz and a Rat