[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Big Cat Updates” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Lauren Buckingham’s Coordinator Notes for 3/19/2018
We had another good day, today. Food prep was finished before lunch so we could open an extra tour this afternoon. Most of the picky cats ate well Enrichment sign offs were done for those who needed them. Volunteers also managed to do operant with their cats. ~Lauren
**See blow to find out what Operant is.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Afton’s Coordinator Notes for 3/20/2018
LOTS OF TEAM WORK TODAY!!!
Today started short handed in the Green sections, but Karma and Honey joined us to get everything done before the storm came. Currently, all of the cats are in their roofed sections until tomorrow. There is supposed to be some strong winds tomorrow morning into the afternoon.
Because of the weather, we were slow for tours.
The interns were amazing and deep cleaned and organized the Keeper cafe and the Kitten Cabana. They did some raking on the tour path side of bobcats, Thurston and Lovey. A few of them deep cleaned the food prep cooler. The floors in there look AMAZING!! ~Afton[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Other Tidbits
Sheena Serval LOVES fish! It is her favorite thing! However, she does not like it if there is any water on it. She likes it patted dry. Who likes drippy fish, LOL. What a spoiled cat!! I am constantly amazed by the extreme attention to detail these loving keepers give to the cats in their care.
Storms: With the incoming storm several people have messaged or called me asking what we do with the cats during storms. If you see questions like that, you can help by giving them this link: http://bigcatrescue.org/critical-incident-hurricane-and-disaster-plan/
If you need a shorter link to remember you can remember it this way. They can always find the link to learn about our cat care at BigCatRescue.org/cat-care/ and the link for what we do to prepare for storms is there as well as the link about what we feed the cats, the link about our cages, etc.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”ACTION ALERT” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]ACTION ALERT – OHIO RESIDENTS & NEIGHBORING STATES
Ohio’s bobcats are under threat. We’ll be sending out an action alert to our supporters in the state later this week. In the meantime, help spread the word to friends and family in Ohio. Here are 3 simple things you can do right now:
1. Check-out the Save Ohio’s Bobcats web page at saveohiosbobcats.com.
2. Join the Save Ohio’s Bobcats Facebook group and invite your friends to join https://www.facebook.com/groups/1746762608715456/
3. Sign and share their petition (linked below)- https://www.change.org/p/ohio-department-of-natural-resources-prevent-odnr-from-allowing-trapping-of-bobcats[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Foster Kitten Program” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]At the staff meeting today Karma announced that we have surpassed 600 kittens who have been saved from certain death by our foster program with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The following kittens have reached two pounds, are healthy, well socialized and ready to find their furever families so are returning to the Humane Society.
- Sara
- Viper
- Tom
- Charlie
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”WishList” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Often times we receive items from our Wishlist in boxes from Amazon. Sadly, Amazon does not tell us who ordered those items which means we do not always know who to thank. If you send us something through Smile.Amazon, please let us know so we know to watch for it and so we know who to thank. Email address: appreciation@bigcatrescue.org
Recent WishList Items Received:
Big cat friend, Lesa Lindsey from Dallas, TX ordered a Canon Laser imageCLASS LBP151dw Wireless Monochrome Printer with Toner Bundle.” Jamie does a lot of work that has to be printed, like vet records, and this computer is what she needs.” THANK YOU, Lesa.
Jamie is out of the country at the moment, along with some of our keepers, learning more about saving tigers in the wild. She will be quite surprised when she returns and finds the printer she had been wanting sitting in her office.
Wish lists can be found at: http://bigcatrescue.org/wishlist/[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Operant Conditioning?” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]What is Operant Conditioning for big cats? Big Cat Rescue’s Animal Training Program is based on operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behaviors are altered by the consequences that follow them. The behaviors are not forced, but “caught”, reinforced and therefore trained. We train only natural behaviors, no entertainment types of behaviors.
What are the benefits of Operant Conditioning?
- Reduce the stress loads imposed by captivity
- Enhance keeper safety
- Facilitate routine care
- Improve animal welfare
- Enrich the animal and volunteer experience
Why does Big Cat Rescue use Operant Conditioning?
- Eliciting calm behavior from each of our animals while they are in the presence of their keepers and veterinary staff
- Training behaviors that are dependable regardless of the trainer present
- Providing mental stimulation for our animal
- Enabling safe emergency and non-emergency transportation of the animals
Learn more at: http://bigcatrescue.org/operant-conditioning/[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Keepr Corner & Fun Photos” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Several of you have been asking for an update on Mrs. Claws and Nabisco. They are both doing well. Here are some new photos from Keeper MaryLou Geis.[/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_media_grid item=”masonryMedia_ScaleWithContentBlock” grid_id=”vc_gid:1521666520139-56b9b866-c80c-6″ include=”104685,104686,104687″][vc_column_text]More fun photos from keepers.[/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_media_grid item=”masonryMedia_ScaleWithContentBlock” grid_id=”vc_gid:1521666520145-e44377d8-238c-3″ include=”104676,104688,104689,104690,104693,104695,104702,104703,104704″][vc_column_text]Narla, the office kitty and her morning zoomies lol! She loves playing in the bathtub. ~Afton[/vc_column_text][ultimate_modal modal_on=”image” btn_img=”id^104696|url^http://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/narla-the-offic-kitty.jpg|caption^This girl and her morning zoomies lol! She loves playing in the bathtub.|alt^This girl and her morning zoomies lol! She loves playing in the bathtub.|title^Narla, the Office kitty|description^null” overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ img_size=”80″]
https://www.facebook.com/AftonTaslerBCR/videos/431081130668116/
[/ultimate_modal][vc_column_text]I little clip of Priya Tiger from March 16, 2018. ~Afton
(The video clip below this photo is pretty funny.)[/vc_column_text][ultimate_modal modal_on=”image” btn_img=”id^104697|url^http://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Priya-playing.jpg|caption^Priya Tiger playing and being silly|alt^Priya Tiger playing and being silly|title^Priya Tiger playing and being silly|description^null” overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ img_size=”80″]
https://www.facebook.com/AftonTaslerBCR/videos/430598547383041/
[/ultimate_modal][vc_custom_heading text=”Bobcat Rehab – Aphrodite” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]We got the blood work back on Aphrodite and she has poor kidney values. We were afraid she might not be drinking enough, so we set up a trail cam on her water bowl to see what is happening at night. She came to drink 3 times over a 24 hour period, so we can quit worrying about her water intake, but what we discovered will amaze you.
She makes a complete lap around her cage, about every 2-4 minutes. She made over 200 laps, which means she covered 92,000 feet. If you divide that by 5,280 (the number of feet in a mile) that means she’s covering over 17 miles a day. Aren’t bobcats amazing?
More than that; this REALLY shows why it’s so cruel to breed exotic cats for life in cages. One day Aphrodite will be free and can roam as far and wide as she wants.
You can donate to the cats at NO COST TO YOU when you select BCR as your charity on Amazon Smile and shop Smile.Amazon.com instead of Amazon.com. It is exactly the same as regular Amazon EXCEPT when you use the Smile URL Amazon donates .5% of your purchase to BCR. Adds up to over $20,000 for the cats in the last year!
When you use Smaile.Amazon.com with Big Cat Rescue Corp. as you chosen charity, you are helping us rehab and release bobcats. Please visit BigCatRescue.org/amazon-smile for how to sign up and let me know you did so I can thank you. :)[/vc_column_text][cq_vc_videocover videoimage=”104691″ videolink=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOeTApu4dF0″][vc_custom_heading text=”Help the Cats at NO Extra Cost to You” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Our Trio of Tiger Siblings Want You to Know There are TRIPLE the Reasons to Visit AmazonSmile, Select Big Cat Rescue as Your Charity of Choice And Make a Purrchase in March – Donations are TRIPLED for First-Time Purchasers!!!
Amanda, Arthur and Andre tiger siblings are wondering if YOU have already selected Big Cat Rescue as your charity on AmazonSmile but haven’t made a first purchase yet?
Or maybe this is the first time you’re hearing about AmazonSmile and how you will automatically donate to Big Cat Rescue AT NO COST TO YOU by shopping Smile.Amazon.com instead of Amazon.com? It’s the exact same products and prices!
Either way – This is the PURRFECT time to try AmazonSmile! From now until March 31st, AmazonSmile will TRIPLE their normal donation of .5% of every purchase for every FIRST TIME purchaser on AmazonSmile – that’s a roaring 1.5% donation of your first purchase!
Learn more and sign up here! http://BigCatRescue.org/amazon-smile[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Big Cat Fact” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Bobcats are often confused with their larger feline cousin the Lynx, but can be easily distinguished by their tail tips. The tail of the Lynx looks as though it was dipped in an inkwell being black all the way around, whereas the Bobcat’s tail appears to have been painted black on top and white on the bottom.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Facebook Video Replays” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Evening Snacks and Meds for big cats[/vc_column_text][ultimate_modal modal_on=”image” btn_img=”id^104707|url^http://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Evening-snacks-and-beds-for-big-cats.jpg|caption^Evening snacks and meds for big cats|alt^Evening snacks and meds for big cats|title^Evening snacks and meds for big cats|description^null” overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ img_size=”80″]
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10155229026641957/
[/ultimate_modal][vc_column_text]It would be a sad, sad day if the only way we could see wild cats was in art. Help us keep them wild and free by shopping at BigCatRescue.biz[/vc_column_text][ultimate_modal modal_on=”image” btn_img=”id^104708|url^http://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Extinction-is-forever.jpg|caption^It would be a sad, sad day if the only way we could see wild cats was in art. Help us keep them wild and free by shopping at BigCatRescue.biz|alt^It would be a sad, sad day if the only way we could see wild cats was in art. Help us keep them wild and free by shopping at BigCatRescue.biz|title^Extinction is forever|description^null” overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ img_size=”80″]
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10155228553271957/
[/ultimate_modal][vc_column_text]Big Cat Rescue worked with Wildlife Inc. to take in a new baby bobcat for our rehab program named Shamrock.
Learn more about Wildlife Inc. at https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeInc/[/vc_column_text][ultimate_modal modal_on=”image” btn_img=”id^104709|url^http://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Capture.jpg|caption^Big Cat Rescue worked with Wildlife Inc. to take in a new baby bobcat for our rehab program named Shamrock.
Learn more about Wildlife Inc. at https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeInc/|alt^Big Cat Rescue worked with Wildlife Inc. to take in a new baby bobcat for our rehab program named Shamrock. Learn more about Wildlife Inc. at https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeInc/|title^Shamrock, the wild bobcat kitten|description^null” overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ img_size=”80″]
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10155228067226957/
[/ultimate_modal][vc_custom_heading text=”Big Cat Rescue Outreach” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%20Condensed%3A300%2C300italic%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Humane Educators Spend a Day with the Cats
Earlier this month Big Cat Rescue hosted humane educators from across the country who were in Orlando for the annual National Humane Education Conference. Intern Lisa and Jennifer, our Director of Outreach and fellow APHE member, took conference attendees on a special private tour of the sanctuary. These educators got to meet our cat-tastic residents, learn more about our mission, and get a taste of our work to educate both children and adults on the issues facing big cats. We are really excited about future opportunities to collaborate on humane curriculums, create cub petting lessons plans, and share best practices to benefit all animals.
Join APHE today! APHE is a membership organization that provides networking opportunities and resources to those involved with or interested in humane education. Members receive discounts on the National Humane Education Conference and several other humane education resources and courses from other organizations such as The Latham Foundation, The Academy of Prosocial Learning, and RedRover. Visit http://www.aphe.org/join-renew for more information and enter code APHEbigcat18 by April 30, 2018, for a 10% discount on membership.
Jennifer Leon, MPA
Director of Outreach[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
