Palisades Park Library’s Weblog Features Big Cat Rescue

Palisades Park Library ESL Class Learns About Big Cat Rescue

By Darlene M. De Santis – Tech Services, Palisades Park Library
Posted: June 1, 2009

The Palisades Park Library has always presented diverse programming, and in May, Carol Zaccagnini’s ESL class learned about Big Cat Rescue http://bigcatrescue.org/ a non-profit educational sanctuary in Tampa Florida that provides permanent homes to tigers, lions, leopards, cougars and other wild cats. The cats are retired performers, former pets, or have been rescued from abusive and neglectful situations as well as the fur trade.

I am an off-site advocate for Big Cat Rescue, and recently visited the sanctuary and shared my experience with the class. As an avid animal lover, with a passion for the big cats, and in particular tigers, my visit to Big Cat Rescue was a dream come true. I support the sanctuary by participating in an ink-jet recycling program, (used ink jet cartridges can be dropped off at the Palisades Park Library for recycling,) updating Big Cat Rescue’s blogs, as well as maintaining my own sites Tiger News http://savethetigers62.blogspot.com/ and the newly created Tiger World News http://tigerworldnews.wordpress.com/

I spoke to the class about the different tours I took at Big Cat Rescue such as the feeding tour, keeper’s tour and night tour, explained the reasons why the cats are at Big Cat Rescue, and how people can help the organization. I also exhibited pictures I took on my visit and provided a flyer with information about Big Cat Rescue.

The dedication and love BCR’s staff has for the cats is overwhelming. It is an extremely well-run and well-maintained facility, and truly, the utmost priority is to provide the best home possible for these animals, and to educate the public as to why these cats are at Big Cat Rescue.

The class was very interested and asked terrific questions, and one student commented on how my love and passion come through while I was talking. That is something that deeply touched my heart because Big Cat Rescue and the cats mean so very much to me.

I was grateful for the opportunity to present this program. It was a great way to inform people of the wonderful organization Big Cat Rescue is, as well as to the serious situations these beautiful cats face in captivity.