Congresswoman Kathy Castor

I recently toured Big Cat Rescue with my family and we had a great time. My daughters were able to appreciate the magnificent animals in natural settings, and learn about the different species and the issues they face in captivity and in the wild. Big Cat Rescue is a wonderful educational resource and great asset to our community. They provide a great home for the animals and help reduce the number of cats that suffer abuse, abandonment or extinction by teaching people about the plight of the cats, both in the wild and in captivity, and how they can help through their behavior and by supporting new laws to protect the cats. I would encourage any parent or animal lover to take the tour.

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-11)

Bengali demonstates the Operant Conditioning “up” response to birthday girl Julia and friends March 2008. Teaching the cat to come up on command allows the keepers and veterinarian to examine the cat’s belly, paws and more easily look at the teeth and tongue without having to use anesthesia.

Back when she was a County Commissioner Kathy Castor visited us with her husband Bill Lewis and daughters Julia and Chrissy on Mother’s Day weekend. In the photo she poses with youngest daughter Chrissy while cougar Shadow looks on with interest. Focusing on the educational aspect of the tour, she paid us a very nice compliment when she said that “Big Cat Rescue is unique and very effectively presents the message that these exotic cats should never be considered as potential pets.”