2024 Annual Report
32 Years of Protecting Wild Cats Thanks to our Dedicated Donors
From Tigers to Tabbies - How Your Generosity Helped 41 Wild Cat Species Thrive
Big Cat Rescue Supports Innovative Carnivore Deterrent Technology
We’re excited to share how your support has directly contributed to the groundbreaking Blink+A project. With a $10,000 investment, Big Cat Rescue has supported an innovative initiative aimed at fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife, particularly carnivores like pumas, in regions such as Patagonia. This effort arises as a non-lethal tool to protect livestock and address a broad spectrum of human-wildlife conflicts.
The Solution: Blink+A Carnivore Deterrent
Blink+A is a state-of-the-art deterrent system that integrates light and sound technology to discourage carnivores from approaching livestock and other areas of human activity. The device has been meticulously designed to be:
Affordable and Easy-to-Use: Accessible for ranchers and conservation practitioners alike.
Versatile: Suitable for different environments and adaptable to various species.
Durable and Weatherproof: Built to withstand challenging conditions.
Solar-Powered: Environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Evolution and Features
Blink+A has undergone a rigorous development process, including five official versions and five test versions. Key advancements include:
Random Activation Modes: Reduces predictability and enhances effectiveness.
Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors: Automatically detect movement to activate deterrents.
Operation Mode Flexibility: Users can choose from random, PIR, light, or sound modes.
Device Communication: "Hive behavior" allows multiple units to work collaboratively.
Recent Improvements and Next Steps
The project has recently focused on integrating advanced Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designs, enabling seamless operation and improved efficiency. As the deterrent has already been validated in lab simulations and on the field in Patagonia, next step includes testing across diverse environments and species, beyond pumas and Patagonia. The Blink+A project continues to innovate with plans for further development and broader deployment. Our contribution has funded the production of 33 additional units to enable essential testing, development, and refinement of this crucial tool, directly supporting the coexistence of humans and wild carnivores.
Ranthambore Tiger by Jamie Veronica
Tiger Solar Powered Wells for Watering Holes
Big Cat Rescue provided $20,800 to the Corbett Foundation for a project installing solar-powered streetlights around camp perimeters. By illuminating these areas, the project reduces human-carnivore conflict, which often leads to retaliatory killings of tigers that stray into human settlements at night. Working with the Corbett Foundation to save tigers from thirst. One of the biggest threats to tigers is conflict with humans who live in areas neighboring the tiger territory. In this region, climate change has resulted in more erratic monsoons. This has affected the natural rivers and streams. In the dry season, they dry up more quickly than they used to. Thirst causes the tigers to enter the more populated areas they would normally avoid in search of water. This creates a danger to the people and killing of tigers. Corbett Foundation has a very clever solution: solar powered pumps connected to “bore-wells” to create watering holes for the animals. The wells are made by using a machine to drive pipe 100 to 300 feet into the ground to reach the water level. An array of six 3’ x 6’ solar panels is installed to operate the pump. A chain link fence is erected around the solar array to protect it. The Forest Department constructs the pool that holds the water. The well, pump, solar panels, and the labor to install these costs $4800 for each well.
Saving Rusty Spotted Cats by Working With Stakeholders
Working with our partners at SWCCF and Roshan Babu Adhikari our objectives were: (1) To conduct the participatory workshops with local stakeholders (communities, park/forest authorities, road departments, traffic police offices); (2) To install road sign-posts in highway and accessories road network in project site; (3) To build predator-proof chicken houses for the local farmers.
Saving the Oncilla AKA the Northern Tiger Cat
Working with our partners at SWCCF and José Daniel Ramírez-Fernández our objectives were: 1. Understand and assess the situation and the threat posed by free-ranging dogs and cats to small wild cats in communities around the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 2. Implement vaccination of dogs and cats to reduce wildlife disease transmission potential in the region. 3. Implement a communication campaign on small wild cat conservation and the results obtained, and to promote responsible pet ownership among neighbours of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Saving Margay and Jaguarundi From Thirst
Partnering with the SWCCF and Marvin Recinos in El Salvador our objectives were: (1) We prioritized the strategic installation of 25 water troughs to protect the Margay and Jaguarundi in San Pedro Nonualco, ensuring a constant supply of water and significantly reducing the deaths from collisions and other risks faced by these two species and their prey during dry seasons. (2) We remain committed to restoring the habitats of these species, including restoring degraded forests and mitigating human threats. (3) It is essential to maintain education and awareness campaigns in the local communities that share their environment with these species. These actions are key to promoting harmony between humans and wildlife, ensuring the survival and conservation of both the Margay and the Jaguarundi.
Saving the Ocelot – Mexico
Big Cat Rescue funded $5,000 to Fundación Cumbres Blancas A.C. for a spay/neuter and vaccination program targeting feral and free-roaming dogs. This project, supported in December 2024, aims to reduce the transmission of carnivore distemper to wild cats like the ocelot.
Saving the Cheetah – Kenya
With a grant of $4,250 to the Felidae Conservation Fund, Big Cat Rescue is supporting multiple initiatives. These include funding travel and lodging for three Tsavo Cheetah Project team members to attend the Nairobi National Action Plan workshop (January 28-29). The team will present educational materials while convening with 14 conservancies, ranch staff, and the Kenya Wildlife Service at a one-day workshop in Tsavo to mitigate human-cheetah conflict. Funds also cover monitoring cheetahs in high-risk areas near electric fences, where cheetahs can become trapped, injured, or electrocuted, as well as field equipment for local staff.
Saving the African Golden Cat – Uganda
A $5,000 grant to Embaka-Saving the African Golden Cat supports initiatives to protect the African golden cat in Budong Forest Reserve. This project includes (1) providing livestock seeds as alternatives to bushmeat hunting, (2) supporting village saving banks for soft household loans to reduce poverty, and (3) monitoring the impact of these efforts through interviews and conservation awareness activities that discourage poaching.
Saving the Clouded Leopard – Nepal
Big Cat Rescue funded $6,000 to the Clouded Leopard Working Group for a vaccination and spay/neuter campaign targeting feral dogs. This initiative helps prevent disease transmission to clouded leopards and builds conservation awareness within local communities.
Saving the Pampas Cat – Uruguay
With $5,000 to Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, this project focuses on protecting the Pampas cat by: (1) monitoring populations in central Uruguay, (2) engaging schools and landowners in a participatory monitoring program, (3) fostering cultural appreciation for the Pampas cat, (4) promoting conservation strategies like exclusion zones, dog control, and anti-predation chicken coops, and (5) strengthening conservation collaboration with Brazil.
Saving the Colocolo – Chile
Big Cat Rescue granted $8,500 to the Pampas Cat Working Group for conservation initiatives in Vilches Alto. Goals include vaccinating 75% of domestic animals, deworming pets interacting with wildlife, reducing human-pampas cat conflict by improving hen houses, and creating educational animations for children highlighting threats faced by small wild cats.
Saving the Flat-headed Cat – Indonesia
A $7,285 grant to Erwin Wilianto funds survey work in Berbak and Sembilang National Park, a 202,896-hectare lowland-dominated area spanning Jambi and South Sumatra. This project focuses on assessing the presence and distribution of flat-headed cats, with most funds supporting fieldwork and local staff salaries.
Saving the Small Wild Cats of Peru
Big Cat Rescue provided $5,000 to Centro de Investigacion Biodiversidad Sostenible for a project benefitting Pampas cats, ocelots, tiger cats, margays, Andean cats, and jaguarundis. Efforts include building predator-proof chicken coops, vaccinating and sterilizing feral and domestic dogs, and educating residents to foster conservation support and reduce human-cat conflict.
Saving the Small Wild Cats of Ecuador
A $8,550 grant to Centro de Investigacion Biodiversidad Sostenible funded half the budget for the second Small Cat Conference in Ecuador. The conference aims to: (1) share current conservation successes and challenges, (2) explore practical solutions to mitigate threats faced by small wild cats, and (3) forge alliances to amplify conservation efforts across Latin America.
Saving the Small Wild Cats of Mexico
Big Cat Rescue provided $5,000 to Fundación Cumbres Blancas A.C. for predator-proof chicken coops, vaccination/spay-neuter programs for dogs, and educational outreach to reduce disease transmission and human-cat conflict for ocelots, jaguarundis, and margays.
Saving the Small Wild Cats of Brazil
With $5,000 to Flavia Tirelli, this project protects Geoffroy’s cats, Pampas cats, margays, southern tiger cats, ocelots, and jaguarundis. Efforts include predator-proof chicken coops, dog vaccination/spay-neuter programs, and community education to reduce disease spread and human-cat conflicts.
Saving the Small Wild Cats of Costa Rica
A $5,000 grant to Asociaciona AWA Conservacion funds similar efforts: predator-proof chicken coops, spay/neuter programs, and conservation education for ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, and clouded oncillas to protect wild cat populations in Costa Rica.
Saving the Small Wild Cats of Ecuador
Big Cat Rescue funded $2,083 to purchase Browning cameras for the Pampas Cat Working Group to be distributed during the Small Cat Conference in Ecuador. These cameras will aid monitoring and conservation efforts.
Saving Animals Via Drones
Steven Hindi, founder of S.H.A.R.K. was invaluable to us during the time we were working with authorities to catch violators of the Big Cat Public Safety Act and this year we were finally able to donate $50,000 to his work capturing criminal activity from his drones.
Sharing the Wealth to Support Conservation - A Brief Recap
Dec. 20, 2022 The Big Cat Public Safety Act becomes law ending the flood of big cats being discarded each year.
Mar. 24, 2023 Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge contracts with BCR to take our cats if we build their new homes in the Freedom Field and provide lifetime funding for their food and medical care.
Dec. 28, 2023 The last of Big Cat Rescue’s tigers, bobcats, servals, caracals and hybrids are relocated to TCWR in Arkansas.
Throughout 2024, Jamie and Victor diligently redistributed sanctuary assets to benefit other wildlife organizations including Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, who received the X-ray equipment, tiger transport wagons, tree stump dens, coolaroos, medical equipment, cage locks, bowls and toys and was given first right of refusal on everything else. Jamie began marketing everything they didn’t take on eBay but there was a deadline looming as the sanctuary grounds were sold and supposed to close Dec. 20, 2024. Shizzy's Wildcat Sanctuary, WILD Florida Rescue, Wild World Rescue and Sanctuary, Owl’s Nest, Humane Society of Pinellas, Peace River Wildlife Center, Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary, Suncoast Primary Sanctuary and others purchased some items and were gifted other items.
Of the 13 mobile homes on the grounds Carole was able to sell, barter or repurpose as rental units for Big Cat Rescue, 11 of them. This required months of prep work, permitting and “cat herding”. Even the non movable buildings were stripped by Jamie and Victor of anything that could be re-used in other rental properties that generate income for the mission.
Shazir Haque from Shizzy's Wildcat Sanctuary purchased our Walk-in Freezer, Large and Small Anesthesia Machines, Laryngoscope, Idexx Blood, Dental Extraction Set with Burs, Dental Machine and Scaler, Fluid Warming Blanket, Vet Monitor, Stethoscope, Floor Scale, XL Carry Tarps, Endotracheal Tubes, AutoClave, Surgery Light, 4 pc Stainless Steel Counters and Sinks, Oxygen Tank Stand, Hydraulic Surgery Table and a Generator. He was given two of our 4,600 square foot bobcat rehab cages and a lot of the 2.5 acre vacation rotation cage. His crew loaded several box trucks and 2 semis with the wire and poles they disassembled. Shazir’s crew also did a last sweep of the cages, taking locks, watering bowls, toys, enrichment items and memorabilia from the Gift Shop with the intention of featuring it in his new location as a reminder of the legacy.
More of the items Big Cat Rescue donated included:
L-R Carole Baskin, Heather Pepe-Dillon and Jamie Veronica
Heather Pepe-Dillon at WILD Rescue picked up a large stainless bank of 3 hospital cages, pet crates, linens, tons of supplies (hay dens, toys, dishes, treats etc) for squirrels, bunnies and small carnivore rehab, nets, ghillie suits, hospital supplies, scales, nursing supplies and squirrel cages. Supplies will be used for her facility and distributed to rehabbers and rescuers in her area.
We gave one of the 4,600 sf rehab enclosures and a lot of cage wire from vacation rotation to Damon Hurd’s Wild World Rescue and Sanctuary that will be used to house their permanent residents at their new location. We have worked with Damon in the past by taking in bobcats he captured or referring him calls that were in his area.
We gave rehab enclosures, tree stump dens, a concrete den, coolaroo beds and hospital supplies to Owls Nest. The wire was used in part to make larger enclosures for some of their permanent residents and will be used in the future to build a large natural bobcat rehab enclosure.
We gave a ton of bedding, kitten supplies, crates, and hospital supplies to Erin Carden, our former Volunteer Co-Coordinator who is now at Humane Society of Pinellas, for their shelter and foster programs.
After Peace River Wildlife Center lost nearly everything to the recent hurricanes (Helene and Milton) we gave Dr Robin Jenkins a large commercial size washer and dryer, cages, crates, hospital supplies, linens, microwave, shelving, refrigerators and chest freezers. We have taken in orphaned bobcats from them in the past for their training and release back to the wild.
Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary received cage wire for building barricades and enclosure additions as well as large toys for their animals, benches for visitors, and loads of enrichment supplies. They also purchased Girdie (our flatbed golf cart) and the tour cart.
Suncoast Primate Sanctuary (under new management) is working towards larger and more natural enclosures. They received a freezer, shelving and metal cabinets to store their food and supplies, tons of enrichment supplies, TVs from intern housing for their residents to watch as a form of enrichment, hospital supplies, blankets, fans, and landscaping tools. Cat Crusaders made the most of what was left taking pet carriers, pet crates, cage wire and more.
There were so many teams coming and going these last few months and Jamie and Victor spent countless hours making sure that everyone got what they wanted and stayed safe while they got it. The sanctuary has been taken over by wild boar, coyotes, snakes, vultures, raccoons, and weeds. In some cases smaller sanctuaries had no way to haul their items, which meant Jamie and Victor having to load, deliver and unload. These efforts have strengthened the broader conservation community, amplifying our collective impact.
Some of the comments by recipients really touched our hearts too.
Heather Pepe-Dillon founder of WILD Florida Rescue said, "Jamie from Big Cat Rescue reached out with donations from their rescue. I knew they had closed down. Carole Baskin had always said that she was going to put herself out of business and she did. I'd been to BCR before, back when it was thriving with tigers, panthers and every other beautiful big cat rescue, but I now found myself staggered.
Everything was overgrown and ghostly. We met Carole's daughter Jamie, she told us they had been moving out all year and about the hurricanes that violently passed through. I just stood there in the middle of the vacant sanctuary… I suddenly found myself overwhelmed with sentimental and great emotion. Looking around, all I could say to Jamie was “You did it”. I couldn't say it without choking up…
After decades of conservation efforts and going up against some of the most revolting criminal big cat abusers, Netflix drama and criminal death threats, “she did it”. Carole Baskin turned all of the adversities into all she needed to end it. Flashing through my mind were the heinous crimes against the cats, like the images of babies being pulled away by hooks moments after they were born and the cages and conditions big cats were forced to live in, now it was over. Standing there I could physically feel the size of the impact.
In December 2022 the President signed the Big Cat Public Safety Act into law. The law bans "cub-petting" and the private ownership of big cats. Under the law, current owners can keep their pets, but they can’t buy or breed more. I don't know another person who could have faced the adversity she has and still gone that distance. ️️
Jamie took us to gather so many items such as cages, bedding, medical supplies, and rehab supplies. She expressed how good it felt to be able to repurpose all they have so that other rescues and sanctuaries could benefit from them; other organisations have been showing up for months. Before we left she took us to the old gift shop where the outside looked like the apocalypse happened, vines and wild vegetation creeping in. She said “it's amazing when you leave things alone how the wild comes back”.
I understood, and the joy rather than sadness sank in, the “wild” coming back... BCR is finally closed, the cats still loved, now at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge where BCR still pays for their care, but the BCR family continues to support big cat rescue and conservation efforts and education as well as local wildlife rescue and rehab and we look forward to following their neverending endeavors! THANK YOU Big Cat Rescue!! 100%FAN!"
Shazir Haque from Shizzy's Wildcat Sanctuary said, "There are so many people to thank to even begin to comprehend what this move took... When we arrived, we targeted areas of @bigcatrescue like the rehab center, the vacation habitat, the big cat transport cages, the medical equipment, the food prep areas, the enrichment items and so much more it seemed impossible to do in such a short period of time. To the enormous positive attitude displayed by everyone present during the move, to the drivers of the trucks, the folks who helped us break down several 53 foot tractor trailers, 26 foot box trucks... to everyone who was upbeat about myself extending everyone’s stay to remain there an extra few days - THANK YOU for putting our organization years ahead by participating in this move. Our biggest thanks for to Carole, Howard, Jamie and Victor and of course Big Cat Rescue."
Looking Forward
The sanctuary grounds have been sold and the funds invested in a diversified manner to ensure that we can continue to save wild cats around the globe for decades to come. Together, we can ensure that wild cats not only survive but thrive in their natural habitats. If you’d like to make saving the world’s wild cats your legacy please help at BigCatRescue.org/donate
Big Cat Rescue’s Commitment to Our Cats
Even though the last of the sanctuary’s cats moved to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge we still fund their food and medical care. We bid a sad farewell to our precious bobcats, Moses, Bailey and Lovey in 2024, leaving 30 tigers, servals, caracals, bobcats and hybrids still thriving in their new, larger homes in Arkansas. Click the arrows at top right of the images below to see Aria, Ariel, Beacher, Chaos, Cyrus, Diablo, Dryden, Dutchess, Flint, Ginger, Hutch, Illithia, Jasmine, Kewlona, Kimba, Lakota, Mary Ann, Max-Bobcat, Max-Tiger, Mrs Claws, Nabisco, Nala, Philmo, Shiloh, Simba, Sioux, Smalls, Summer, Val and Zucari.
Social Media Numbers at the end of 2024:
Facebook Followers: 4,271,709
Instagram Followers: 171,000
YouTube Subscribers: 1,344,809
LinkedIn: Carole Baskin Followers: 9,021
LinkedIn Big Cat Rescue Followers: 5,986
“X” Followers: 305.9K
TikTok Followers: 417.8K
Threads Followers: 27.7K
Bluesky (joined October 2024) Followers: 70
Media Mentions of Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue and Carole Baskin were mentioned 213 times in the press in 2024
Educational Outreach
Thanks to Deb Quimby, Randall Munsters and Diane Amison-Loring Big Cat Rescue was able to provide presentations for the Great American Teach-In to 481 students (pre-k thru middle school), 3 schools- 2 in Tampa, 1 in St Pete over a two day period.
Finances
2024 IRS form 990 and 2023 audited financial statements coming soon at: https://bigcatrescue.org/finances/
The Big Cat Board
The Board met 4 times in 2024. Board members are: Carole Baskin – Founder, CEO, Director | Howard Baskin – Secretary, Treasurer | Darren Kipnis – Director | Keith Lawless – Director | Lynda Licht – Director | Kim Mahoney – Vice President, Director | Jamie Veronica Murdock – President, Director
Paid Staff and Contractors:
Paid staff at the end of 2024 include: Carole Baskin, Gale Ingham, Howard Baskin, Jamie Veronica & Victor Alonso. Deb Quimby volunteers online.
See More Conservation Projects Supported by Big Cat Rescue
Click the arrows at top right of the images below to see more.
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