• 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

WI Big Cat Rescue Donor 500,000

BCR by BCR
October 29, 2007
in News World
0 0
0
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Cats have new home

 

 By Tim Damos

 

 

ROCK SPRINGS — The founder of an organization that provides refuge for abused and abandoned lions, tigers and leopards says getting to this point has been a struggle, but he hopes to open his doors to the public soon.

 

"It was a very steep uphill process to get here," said big cat advocate Jeff Kozlowski, who started the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center. "We had to fight tooth and nail, but we made it in the end."

 

Kozlowski held a fundraiser Saturday hoping to raise $5,000 which would go toward completion of the bathrooms and parking lot at the new facility.

 

The refuge raised about $2,500 in the effort, Kozlowski said, and he is hoping to stage the grand opening of the facility this weekend. But he said that depends on if he can get gravel for the parking lot in this week.

 

He said he wouldn’t have come this far without his supporters.

 

Harold Kruse of Loganville said he has been behind the refuge from the beginning. After Kozlowski told him his plans, Kruse and several others helped Kozlowski start raising money.

 

Donor identified

 

Kozlowski’s biggest help came in the form of a donation from an influential Louisiana animal advocate, whose name has been kept secret until now.

 

The donor, Tim Reily, sits on the board for the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kozlowski said. He heard about Reily through a friend from New Orleans. "I made a special trip down there to talk to him," Kozlowski said.

 

And it paid off.

 

In April, Reily donated $500,000 to the refuge, Kozlowski said. Reily could not be reached for comment at his New Orleans home Sunday.

 

The LSPCA is non-profit animal advocacy group that serves the Gulf Coast and the greater New Orleans area.

 

In 2005, the organization had net assets of over $10.4 million, according to documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The LSPCA reported rescuing 8,500 animals following Hurricane Katrina.

 

 

Controversy over cats

 

Kozlowski has faced opposition from some village residents worried about public safety.

 

After he moved several cats from his property on Highway 12 near Prairie du Sac to a location east of Rock Springs in late 2005, the number of animals under his control grew to 16 tigers, two leopards and six lions.

 

The county took action against Kozlowski in September 2006 after neighbors worried about safety risks and complained of loud noise and traffic. Officials alleged he had violated zoning rules and the animals under his watch posed a potential public health risk.

 

Kozlowski was ordered off the property, and won permission from the village to start a new facility within village limits. The animals were transferred to that location this summer.

 

Melody Hiller of Rock Springs, who lived near the former location on Highway 136, says she has backed off in her opposition to the refuge since it moved into the village.

 

"I’m still concerned," she said. "But it’s the village’s problem now."

 

She said she still thinks an animal will escape some day and wreak havoc on the area.

 

But Kozlowski has worked with the village to try and ensure safety, and he has had the U.S. Department of Agriculture certify his facility.

 

He said his attorney recently reached a settlement with the county in the civil case.

 

Kozlowski’s attorney, Jeff Scott Olson of Madison, said Kozlowski will pay $7,500 in forfeitures, payable in six monthly installments, beginning in May.

 

Sauk County Board Chairman Marty Krueger said no settlement has been finalized, and the county is still working to reach an agreement that’s fair for both parties.

 

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Web site lists the case as open and it is still scheduled to go to trial Thursday.

 

Kozlowski said the facility will be open to the public by appointment only during the week, but will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. He said entry fees will be $5 for children and $8 for adults, while children younger than age 5 will get in free.

 

 

"I’m pleased with the way things have gone so far," he said. "I just hope (opponents) don’t come up with some other legal angle to shut it down."

 

http://www.wiscnews.com/bnr/news/253753


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Police Kill Bobcat in Summerlin Neighborhood

Next Post

Big Cat Rescue’s Photo Contest Winners 2007

Next Post

Big Cat Rescue's Photo Contest Winners 2007

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

  • 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

  • Deb Quimby on Tiger Haven Sued for 10 Million by Neighbors
  • Sarah C. on Pallas Cat Facts
  • Donna Keller on Orpheus
  • Donna Keller on Orpheus
  • Jeri Meyer on Tiger Haven Sued for 10 Million by Neighbors

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