Kids 4 Kats Near and Far

Cypress Woods Elementary

School age supporters of Big Cat Rescue are a never ending source of inspiration. Take for example our recent visitors from Cypress Woods Elementary School, Palm Harbor, Fl.

This group of students, teachers, and parents came for a tour under the guidance of science teacher Mr. Jason Jessie. Shortly before their visit Mr. Jessie wrote us to ask; “We have been raising money to fund the trip and have always done something with the money we had left over.  I’m thinking we would like to give a portion of those proceeds to you while we are there.  Is that something that we are able to do?” It seems that the kids raised money selling bracelets with assistance from many parents, Mrs Koufagozos’ VE classroom and Mrs. Grifone who helped with selling and counting money. Mr. Jessie reported that “We have done it every year, but due to our charitable gift, this was the most rewarding so far.”

On April 15th, we enjoyed a visit from 56 enthusiastic learners with some of the best questions our tour guides have heard this year, and the Cypress Woods 5th Grade became supporters on a large scale with a Big Cat Warrior $500 Sponsorship! Their overall contribution to the cats exceeded $1000.00 including tour tuition and sponsorship.

It is a wonderful day when we can serve both aspects of our dual mission at once. The support of Cypress Woods Elementary helps us in “caring for cats”, and the awareness our young visitors gain about wildlife issues makes all the difference in “ending the trade”.  Thank You to all of our supporters at Cypress Woods Elementary School!

Julie Riddle from Tampa, FL

Julie Riddle turned out to be so much help to Big Cat Rescue in our AdvoCat program that we invited her and her mother, Babs a Big Cat Rescue volunteer to devise a Junior program for volunteers who are under the age of 18.  They came up with some great guidelines and the Volutneer Committee at Big Cat Rescue approved their plans and will soon be rolling out our new Junior Volunteer program.  Meanwhile, Julie and her friends created this video on ways to help save the tiger. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFGOeEOLQNo

Audrey from Austin, TX

Learning our A B C’s

Education is the process of one candle lighting many near and far. Since early this year we have received correspondence and photos from another special child who has started something big out there in Austin Texas.

This nine year old initiated a school wide project to help “Save the Tigers” with Big Cat Rescue as her chosen charity group.

According to her mother Maribeth, “This is for no other reason than the extreme passion of a child who watches every tiger video on your web site and on you tube.  

She has become quite educated about the Tigers both wild and in captivity.” We would say she certainly has.

Breawna from Panama City, Fl

Another nine year old with a passion is literally spreading the message throughout northern Florida. Breawna already accomplished some fundraising for the cats with some “care packages” and guidance from our Director of Donor Appreciation, Jeff Kremer.

This time, her efforts continued to snowball!  Breawna inspired a college student who helped her script an amazing Public Service Announcement which is now being run on 6 Clear Channel radio stations in northern Florida!

Her parents Kathy and Charles supported her efforts with an extra special surprise. The family will take a trip to Tampa for a week this summer so Breawna can attend Big Cat Camp.

We look forward to having our young supporter with us for an in depth experience of the cats and the cause!

Crystal from Lunenburg, VT

Two years ago our Education Director’s granddaughter visited Big Cat Rescue on a vacation to Florida and “had to” go to work with Nona.  Imagine the surprise when Crystal, now 12 years old, wrote all this time later to ask; “I am doing my presentation on BCR on the 30th!!! I am very excited! Could you email me some cool facts about Big Cat Rescue?”  

A little while later… “My big cat presentation is on Tuesday!!!!! I am baking LOTS of cookies and sweets for the bake sale! I really wish that you could come and watch my presentation! I am going to do this EVERY year!” 

There is nothing like the enthusiasm of a child to change the world! The final outcome was $150.00 for the cats, a lot of kids and adults in the North Country who now know all the issues of wildlife in captivity, and of course, a very proud grandma!

Cool Cats for Summer

There are just a few summer camp spaces still available for kids ages 8-15, and young adults 16-18 to join in for One Wild Time at Big Cat Rescue this summer! This unique opportunity comes around just once a year for children to enjoy behind the scenes activities, having fun and learning at the same time. Young adults considering careers in biology, conservation or animal care have a chance to experience a working sanctuary and test the water for their future pathways. 

Comments from previous campers say it all: “The first day of camp she talked all night not just about the fun she had, but about what she learned” and “My child loved it more than I ever thought he would!”

Young adults report: “I have grown to love the outdoors and now want to be a Conservation Activist and major in Environmental Sciences at University of Central Florida…I would use the knowledge gained to its full capacity and put it towards my efforts in saving our planet!”

Don’t miss out!

To register contact Beth Kamhi at education@bigcatrescue.org or 813-323-3265