Tiger breeding at Wisc. big cat "sanctuary"?

NOTE: According to both The Association for Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association, a true sanctuary does not breed animals.

I would like to inform the public of the latest news about Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue. Jeff Kozlowski has turned over ownership of the big cats to his newly formed board of directors, but he is still in charge of the daily care of the cats. Kozlowski has repeatedly stated that this is a sanctuary and he did not want to breed these cats. Well, it has happened again, a new tiger cub was born recently.

As most people already know, Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue is trying to relocate into the village of Rock Springs. On July 9, there was a public hearing at the village. The majority of the people voicing their opinion on this matter were opposed to them relocating to the village. The main concern of these people was if these big cats could be neutered or altered so that more of these unwanted cats would not be born.

I believe that this new cub being born just goes to show the irresponsibility of Kozlowski and his newly formed board of directors. They say they are a sanctuary. I see these big cats daily and do not like what I see. These beautiful animals pace back and forth all day long in their cages, walking in their own urine and feces. The manure from these cats is never removed. Kozlowski periodically spreads cedar mulch over the feces to cover it up. He has stated in public that he removes the manure from the cages.

These poor animals are bored and are not provided with any outlet for this boredom. In the wild, they would be out hunting for their food, eating and then sleeping.

Right now, Kozlowski is in litigation with Sauk County for the keeping of restricted animals, and he also faces $23,000 and some change in fines imposed by the U.S.D.A. He, of course, is contesting all of this.

He always states that he has good reports from the U.S.D.A., but actually he has been in noncompliance for a number of things, including dirty and algae-filled water bowls, insufficient shade, fence repair, and weed control. Noncompliance seems to be the way that he handles most of his issues.

Again I wonder if the village of Rock Springs board will listen to the public this time, I doubt it, I believe that their minds are made up and they will continue to allow Kozlowski to put the cart before the horse like he has done all along. He has stated that he needs to get these cats out of the jurisdiction of the county and he needs to get the cats into the village now and worry about the details later.

We'll see what happens at the regular monthly village meeting on Monday. With so many people from the village opposing this, I don't see how they could vote to allow him into the village.

Melody Hiller,

Rock Springs

http://www.wiscnews.com/bnr/opinion/201145