• Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
  • 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 News World

Western Indiana residents urge rules for Joe Taft’s Cats

BCR by BCR
March 31, 2007
in News World
0 0
2
0
SHARES
54
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Western Indiana residents urge rules for exotic cat center

 

Associated Press

CENTER POINT, Ind. – Western Indiana residents upset by a cougar’s escape from an exotic animal shelter want Clay County officials to tighten the shelter’s regulations.

 

Neighbors of the Exotic Feline Rescue Center, which houses about 190 tigers, lions and cougars, have collected more than 50 signatures on a petition asking the county’s commissioners to impose regulations.

 

Center Point residents P.J. Nicoson led the petition drive and fears more animals could escape. The cougar that escaped in January from the shelter about 20 miles east of Terre Haute remains on the loose.

 

"A wind storm could go through there and lay those fences down, and we’re all going to be hunting," Nicoson said. "It’s a matter of preservation. I think they’re pretty, but everything’s got a place. Their natural instinct is going to be to get out and roam around and eat meat."

 

Clay County Commissioner Paul Sinders said commissioners are considering developing an ordinance, though no decision have been made.

 

The not-for-profit rescue center was founded by Joe Taft, its chief operator, and houses 190 animals. He said the animal are locked down when severe weather hits the area.

 

Taft said the center has had only one escape in its 16-year history. On Jan. 5, a wild, 7-year-old cougar named Donner escaped from a cage with 14-foot sides. He said there have been no new sightings of Donner in spite of ongoing trapping and search efforts.

 

"Losing Donner has been like a major personal tragedy, and it’s the largest failure of my life," Taft said. "While this animal was not a pet, she was a wild animal. She was our responsibility. We take these responsibilities very seriously."

 

The center already is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which makes regular, unannounced visits to inspect the site.

 

The shelter provides abused and neglected animals with a large, stable environment, veterinary care and a professional, trained staff, Taft said. He founded the center in 1991 after he rescued two neglected tigers. It had 21,000 visitors in 2006.

 

Rescue center employees remove dead animals from area farms to feed the center’s animals.

 

Center Point Town Board president Roy Smith said the feline center is not a nuisance.

 

"I have two small children, and I’ve no problem with him being down there," Smith said.

 

Information from: Tribune-Star, http://www.tribstar.com


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Carole on the Radio this week in Miami

Next Post

Lion rescued from French circus dies at S. African reserve

Next Post

Lion rescued from French circus dies at S. African reserve

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (2)
  • Facebook Comments

Comments 2

  1. Sonya McQuade says:
    8 years ago

    We took our daycare there on a field trip. Great place and staff!!!!

    Reply
  2. Rose Towery says:
    8 years ago

    Read about Joe in Michael Koytea book The Ridge

    Reply

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

  • You called? Where are my snacks? Summer bobcat BigCatRescue August 12, 2022
  • Caturday swimmers! Priya and Dutchess tigers at Big Cat Rescue August 12, 2022
  • So many rolls. Aria tiger at Big Cat Rescue August 12, 2022

Recent Comments

  • Danny Swan on Relax and enjoy Florida bobcats if you see them
  • Deb Quimby on Private Group Tours
  • Winifred Colclough on Private Group Tours
  • Deb Quimby on MaryAnn
  • Dawn Sheers on MaryAnn

Save Big Cats

Donate to Big Cat Rescue

Sanctuary Cats

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

More from Big Cats

  • 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
You called? Where are my snacks? Summer bobcat BigCatRescue

You called? Where are my snacks? Summer bobcat BigCatRescue

August 12, 2022
Caturday swimmers! Priya and Dutchess tigers at Big Cat Rescue

Caturday swimmers! Priya and Dutchess tigers at Big Cat Rescue

August 12, 2022
So many rolls. Aria tiger at Big Cat Rescue

So many rolls. Aria tiger at Big Cat Rescue

August 12, 2022
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2022 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • Account
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat NFTS
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Rescuers
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Browse Submissions
  • Connections
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Donate Crypto
  • Embed Link
  • Followers
  • Following
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Join Us
    • Registration
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Login
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Logout
  • Malaya Bobcat
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Member Directory
  • Members
  • My Profile
    • Edit Profile
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Live Feeds
  • Password Reset
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Register
  • Register
  • Register
    • Edit Your Profile
    • Update Billing Card
    • Welcome
    • Your Membership
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Submission Confirmed
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • User
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2022 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

Add New Playlist