• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home Articles by BCR

One Step at a Time

Carole by BCR
July 6, 2015
in Articles by BCR, News @ BCR
0 0
0
Jeanne Jain front and center
0
SHARES
7
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One day, nearly five years after moving to Charlotte County, I opened my free “Green Sheet” shoppers’ newspaper and found an advertisement for an arts & crafts show being held at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda. I was floored when I read the show featured a live tiger! I could not believe what I was reading.

I immediately made a trip to the park to see for myself if it was true. To my chagrin, there he was, a full-grown male tiger named Samson, in a cage at the back of the arts & crafts show. I was livid that someone could think it was okay to exploit this particular tiger to raise funds to feed all their animals at their “refuge” in Arcadia. This was not the first time a tiger or wild animal had been displayed in a cage at Gilchrist Park. It had been going on for quite some time.

Lions Tigers Bears Arcadia

 

The cage was void of cross-ventilation as it was surrounded on three sides with plastic tarps. The owner of the tiger got angry at me for objecting to the display of the tiger. I told her it was cruel to have the tiger languishing in the Florida heat and humidity all day, but she objected, telling me that Samson “loves” to come to see the people at the arts & crafts shows. It was only later that I found out this tiger was being transported in that tiny cage not only from Arcadia to Punta Gorda, but also to North Port, Venice and other venues around southwest Florida.

And that is how my quest to stop this madness began.

I complained to Charlotte County Commissioners. I complained to the Punta Gorda City Council. No one wanted to listen. No one was interested.

Jeanne JainHowever, over time, I gained a few supporters and we protested every arts & crafts show at Gilchrist Park, rain or shine. We had flyers printed and gave them to anyone who would take them. After some time, I found out that just one person was in charge of authorizing the permit for the tiger (or other wild animal) to be included at the arts & crafts shows. That one person was the Punta Gorda City Manager, Mr. Howard Kunik. We included his name, email address and phone number on our flyers. We asked anyone who agreed that Samson was being exploited to contact the City Manager and voice their opposition to the tiger display.

After a couple of years, several shows, and many complaints, it was finally brought before the City Council. We were shocked to hear the Mayor and City Council members compare domesticated dogs, ponies, and pigs being allowed in the parks to a wild animal, such as a full-grown, large male tiger, being allowed in the parks. The Mayor and City Council were just not interested in upsetting the status quo.

At that point, we nearly gave up.

Instead, we decided to persevere and do everything in our power to convince the City Manager to stop authorizing the permit. We met with Mr. Kunik several times. At first he seemed uninterested, but as time went on, we felt we may be able to convince him to rule in our favor. It was at that point in time we opted to try a petition.

We composed the petition and asked for support from the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF). ARFF was in support of our position and gave us permission to use their logo on our petition so it was ready to go. This past snowbird season, at each of the six arts & crafts shows, we asked patrons to sign our petition. The shoppers were overwhelmingly opposed to the transportation to, and confinement of, the tiger for the duration of the events in the  Florida heat and humidity.

 

At the last show of the season, we did a survey that asked patrons why they chose to attend the arts & crafts show. Did they  come for the arts & crafts? the food? the tiger? or other? The majority of the answers were for the arts & crafts, of course, and only ONE (1) person said they came to see the tiger! After the season was over, we met with Mr. Kunik and submitted the petitions and surveys.

We are ecstatic to report that our years of protesting have finally paid off! Recently, Mr. Howard Kunik, City Manager of the City of Punta Gorda, informed the event organizer that the display of a caged wild animal will no longer be permitted. We applaud Mr. Kunik for making the right decision for the animals and for his kind and patient attention to our concerns related to this matter over the years.

However, our work is far from over as the caged wild tiger is also displayed at other venues, such as the Shoppes at North Port.

By- Jeanne Jain  Find me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/jeanne.jainadvocate

Samson Tiger

Big Cat Rescue’s note:

Jeanne Jain is an inspiration to us and recently showed up at the Florida Wildlife Commission meeting to speak out against their proposal to hunt bears and give up on the Florida Panther.

You can be alerted whenever there are situations where exotic cats are being exploited and your voice could help.  Just sign up at the link below.

Enter To Win[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Previous Post

Raindance

Next Post

GoPro: Rehab Bobcat Kittens

Carole

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Makani rehab bobcat orphan
Bobcats-Rehab

Makani bobcat

May 24, 2022
486
Carole Howie and Jasmine
News @ BCR

Film

May 9, 2022
90
Alex Tiger Pumpkin
How To Start A Sanctuary

Enrichment

May 7, 2022
6.1k
King Tut, sometimes called Tutters Butters is giving Keeper Tory that "Whatever" look. ~Keeper Tory Wright
Memorials

King Tut

May 4, 2022
5k
Alex el Tigre
Featured

Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams

April 21, 2022
317.2k
Next Post
GoPro: Rehab Bobcat Kittens

GoPro: Rehab Bobcat Kittens

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Recent Articles

  • Makani bobcat May 24, 2022
  • Film May 9, 2022
  • Enrichment Program @ BIG CAT RESCUE! May 7, 2022

More From BigCatRescue

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Shop
  • Wish List
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Version

Save Big Cats

Donate to Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • About BCR
  • News @ BCR
  • Videos
  • Big Cat Facts
  • Cub Facts
  • Sanctuary Cats
  • Shop and Save Cats
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Abuse Issues
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist