December 23 2017

Big Cat Updates

SUMMARY: Need a last minute gift in time for Christmas? How to tell leopards & Jaguars apart.  Videos, What’s up with Joseph’s mane?  Nikita’s Christmas song, Turkey’s for tigers, Big Cat Calendars, News articles, Christmas photos, and more.

Lauren Grant’s Coordinator Report for Thursday 12/21/2017

We did lots of things today!

The Auburn group worked on Kewlona & Drydens cages closest to Servie. They did a great job and worked very quickly, and were even able to rake the tour path around the enclosure. They also helped finish the outside of Jasmine’s enclosure, along with our intern force and Devin, Sarah B, and Erin C. The palmetto’s were trimmed and the vines were pulled, and it should be much easier to move her back in.

Steven did some repairs in Running Bear and Little White Dove’s enclosure.

We have started using the new carts for pulling food.

I believe that is all! Happy Winter Solstice!

– Lauren Grant

Kathyrn Stapleton’s Coordinator Report for Friday 12/22/17

Had a great day today!

Lots of volunteers, so everything got done before lunch. Sarah D and Sarah B both finished up food prep and cleaned the cooler.

Running Bear and Little White Doves cage was finished thanks to Steph N, Steph C, Lisa and Aleesa.

All the cooler shelves were washed and put back.

Thanks to all the interns and volunteers that came in to do tours all guests were taken care of!

The picky cats ate ok today, except Cameron still super picky.

That’s it for me!
Kathryn

 Do you have one of these?

If you bought one of these from us, would you mind posting a review on Amazon so others know what you think?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078KNKJ8T

 Facebook Live Video Replays

Enjoy some cute recorded LIVE video of Seth and Andy Tigers while Carole shouts out some thanks. Help feed big cats and kittens like these by making Big Cat Rescue your charity of choice at Smile.Amazon.com where Amazon makes a donation, at no cost to you, every time you shop.

Thank you Explore!

 Need A Last Minute Gift?

Check out these paw-some downloadable gifts, a purr-fect solution for every pro-cats-tinator.
Your support helps provide the very best care for all of the cats who call Big Cat Rescue home.

Downloadable Holiday Photos and Sponsorship Kits

 People Often Ask

Often times when many people ask the same questions, Carole will make webpages to help all of us be able to give people prompt, thorough, answers.  Lots of people have been asking about the mats in Joseph’s mane.   This new page is not only very informative but also has a quite comical twist to it as well.  ENJOY!!  http://bigcatrescue.org/mats/  After you read it be sure to leave a comment.

For those of you who help us reply to comments on the live videos, Carole also made a page with the top 5 questions asked.  Check it out https://BigCatRescue.org/top5/  Let us know in the comments of the page if things like this help you or not.

 Nikita’s Christmas Song

By Lori Duska

Santa baby,
Slip a chicken under the tree for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby,
Hurry down to Big Cat Rescue tonight

 FAQ Friday

How to Tell the difference Between a Jaguar and a Leopard

Many people have a hard time distinguishing the difference between a jaguar and a leopard. Let us clear that up for you! BigCatTV.com

 Turkeys For Tigers

Give YOUR FAVORITE big cat a turkey or game hen?
You can do that at BigCatRescue.org/turkey

 2018 Big Cat Rescue Calendar

Love BEAUTIFUL photos of YOUR FAVORITE Big Cats?
NEW Big Cat Calendar is NOW Available – LIMITED QUANTITY
BigCatRescue.org/calendar

13-month glossy color calendar features the big cats who call Big Cat Rescue home. Size Approx 8.5″ x 11″ when closed, 17″ x 11″ when fully open.

 Keeper Corner

Armani Leopard enjoying a bloodsicle ~Keeper Afton
THANK YOU, Everyone, who sends us cans of tuna & sardines for the cats’ daily sicles.

Lizard, Lizard, when will you learn? You cannot hide from Ginger Serval.

Chaos Caracal letting Cyrus know she is the boss of the toys, not him!
Photo by ~Keeper Tory Wright

 Christmas Past Photos

Who else, besides Pharaoh, enjoys the wonderful scent of a fresh Christmas tree?

Andre Tiger LOVED his CHRISTMAS presents!

 Telling Them Apart: Real & Fake Sanctuaries

Can you tell a real sanctuary from a fake one? Merely having a USDA license is not the same as being accredited.

Read this link to find out how to tell the difference. http://bigcatrescue.org/sanctuary-standards/

 Your Purr-Fect Year-End Tax Deductible Donation Will be Doubled!!

In case you’re not on our email list, I thought you’d like to see the appeal email we sent out yesterday and take advantage of the matching funds if you’re planning on making a year-end donation.

Dear Friends,

We have 70 precious reasons to ask you to please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible donation to Big Cat Rescue. Their names circle the alphabet several times over: from Apollo (lynx) to Zeus (tiger). From Armani (leopard) to Zabu (white tiger). From Ariel (bobcat) to Zimba (serval). And from Ares (cougar) to Zucari (serval).

And this year the first $12,500 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar by Larry and Pam Trissel, so your gift will do twice as much good for our big cats!

As 2017 comes to a close, we are so grateful for everyone who has visited our sanctuary, followed our cats on social media, taken action to help us pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act and generously donated to our sanctuary. It is only because of your financial support that we can continue to rescue abused, neglected and abandoned exotic cats around the country and provide them with the best possible nutrition and medical care at our sanctuary.

This year we have rescued nine exotic cats, including three in December! Maya, an 18-year-old cougar from Ohio (pictured here), was rescued earlier this month after her owner surrendered her to the state of Ohio. And Manny the jaguar and Natalie the Amur leopard have just arrived from a zoo in Omaha. It’s been many years since Big Cat Rescue has been home to a jaguar and Manny has already stolen our hearts with his playful antics of storing all of his new toys inside his den at night. We’ve also never had an Amur leopard at the sanctuary before and are enjoying getting to know Natalie’s purr-sonality.

Thank YOU so much for your amazing support of our sanctuary and cats! We hope the cats can count on you one more time in 2017 as you consider making your year-end, tax-deductible charitable donations. Donate here:  BigCatRescue.org/tax

Best wishes from your Big Cat Rescue family for a purrfectly healthy and happy New Year!

If you prefer, you can mail a check by December 31st to Howard Baskin at Big Cat Rescue at 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, Florida 33625.

 News & Articles

Fewer than 50 Asiatic Cheetahs Are Left on Earth as the ‘Second-Rarest’ Big Cat Slinks Off

(Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

ODA opposes Tiger Ridge appeal efforts regarding “witness protection cats” at Big Cat Rescue

Rare Snow Leopard Kills Sheep in First-Ever Photographs (Warning Article shows one graphic photo)

‘Trophy’: CNN Sets Airdate For Hunting & Conservation Film With Limited Commercial Interruptions