February 27 2018

Gabrielle Tiger went home. See yesterday’s Big Cat Updates for the video and info.

PurrFection Ocelot went home. See the videos and story below.

Lauren Buckingham’s Coordinator Report for 02/26/2018

We had a great day today!

Gabrielle and Purrfection went back out to their enclosures. Around the outside of Gabby’s cage was raked.

Food prep was finished before lunch as all the interns were needed for another day of sold out tours in the afternoon.

Vanessa and MC stayed late in the afternoon to help with afternoon snacks, pickys and some projects. Both the back of the recovery hospital and the outside recovery hospital were cleaned. The tent and tarp were taken down and packed away. The transport was cleaned and put under the cover by the windsong hospital. The other hospital cage was cleaned but still needs to be put away.

The open air section of Cameron and Zabu’s cage was mowed.

WELCOME!!! We got a new intern today, her name is Alex.

The vets are letting him have ice cream and anything he wants. Sadly, he is eating very little of anything. We are doing everything we can to get him to eat but he just does not want anything. Keepers are trying everything possible. We are also trying to prepare ourselves, and you, knowing his days are growing short.

Dr Wynn came out today and Jamie darted Joseph with two 5 cc doses of something to make him feel better. He’s mad now, and doesn’t want people any where near him, Keepers are trying to regain his trust and get him to eat.

NOTE: Caring for an elderly cat that you love so dearly is emotionally painful. Please, don’t post doom and gloom posts, and please don’t start calling and texting keepers with condolences because while your intentions are good and we understand you mean well, it only makes it harder on caregivers who are trying hard to stay positive, giving their all to help their beloved Joseph.

We have not given up, yet!! Several times we thought it was the end for this majestic old lion yet he managed to bounce back so we ARE CONTINUING TO THINK POSITIVE, and so should you. We know how much many of you love Joseph are are trying to keep you posted. We do not want losing him to hit you as a shock if he does not bounce back, so we are keeping you informed of his status.

Again, the best way you can help his heartbroken caregivers is to think only positive thoughts so as they can stay positive, for Joseph.

Also, PLEASE, in Joseph’s honor, be motivated to make the Call of the Wild, every week, so other precious cats do not go through what Joseph went through in his younger years!! Knowing you all are actively getting others to make the Call of the Wild in honor of Joseph is one of the best things you can do to comfort and encourage Joseph’s caregivers. Doing that, is going to encourage and comfort keepers more than doom and gloom posts or messages.

Big Cat Rescuers Honey, Megan, and Alicia this past Saturday in Gulfport, FL for their annual Get Rescued event in support of Animal Rescue groups. Staff members Jen and Barb, along with Senior Keeper Rebecca, also attended this large outdoor festival on behalf of Big Cat Rescue. It’s a fun opportunity to support our community and tell people about BCR’s work!

Andre the tiger loves his enrichment so much, that we call him the “Tiger Of Mass Destruction”. See several of his best moments. BigCatTV.com

Wildcat Walkabout at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL where we will visit with rescued lions, tigers, leopards, bobcats and more!

TREATS for Big Cats and little cats, too.

This short video clip of Keeper Kathryn giving treats to Caracals, Chaos and Cyrus, was streamed LIVE on The Dodo Impact’s Facebook page.

PurrFection Ocelot is going home from the recovery hospital. If you will remember she came in and had some teeth taken care of and during that Dr. Justin had discovered she had cracked a toe. She has been on cage rest to give it time to heal. She is being confined to the smaller section because the vet doe snot want her up on the higher platforms, yet.

This is being done in two videos because the first one Carole lost WiFi connection so the second one picks up where the first cut off.