Advocat 2013 03

“HOPPY” EASTER!

Big Cat Rescue is working on our next grrrreat Easter video.  Be sure that you are subscribed to BigCatTV.com 

Intern Killed by Lion at Cat Haven

 A 24 year old intern named Dianna Hanson was mauled to death while inside a cage with a four year old male lion named Cous Cous. The lion had been raised at the zoo since he was a cub. Another worker tried to distract the lion, to no avail, and the sheriff shot the cat to death, but it was too late for Dianna Hanson. The facility is called Project Survival Cat Haven and is run by Dale Anderson. On his website he says, “In the seventh grade a gentleman brought a Mountain Lion to my class… After that experience I wanted to have a cat of some kind at some later date.” This is why it is so bad to use wild animals as ego props, especially in the presence of children who will grow up to fulfill their desire to “be that guy,” even if it means dooming wild animals to life in cages. Watch a message from Big Cat Rescue CEO, Carole Baskin about this tragic event:https://youtu.be/R_KhhJdgQZU 

Rounding Up Texas Residents to Help Protect Big Cats

 Are you a Texas resident? If so, please ask your Representative to support a ban on the private possession and exploitation of big cats. You can do this quickly and easily using our automated service at the link below. This one small action could be the most important thing you do all year and may put an end to the needless abuse of big cats in your state.  https://catlaws.com 

How to Trim a Bobcat’s Claws

 https://youtu.be/VSMC55atz_8 Precious is a 21-year-old female bobcat who came to Big Cat Rescue in 1992 from an exotic animal aucrtion. In her old age she has led a more sedentary lifestyle. She no longer climbs her huge oak tree to lounge in the branches nor does she scratch her claws as frequently on her logs. Because of this her claws grew too long and some were curled under poking the pad of her paw. Her keepers noticed right away that she was limping and a closer look revealed the cause.Initially we planned on sedating Precious in order to trim her claws. But after a quick brainstorming session on how we could get to the claws without sedation a brilliant idea arose. Precious was caught in a squeeze cage. The floor of which can be raised towards the roof of the cage essentially “squeezing” Precious between the roof and the floor panels.Once squeezed, Dr. Boorstein was able to shimmy underneath her and was able to get to her paws through the wire. Precious growled a bit, but did not struggle. She almost seemed to be aware that her keepers were trying to help her. After a little while she even stopped growling. In about 10 minutes all of her claws were trimmed and the areas of her paw pads that were poked were cleaned out thoroughly.Afterwards Precious was kept indoors in the Cat Hospital for a few days to avoid getting dirt in the small wounds as they healed. She has since returned to her outdoor enclosure and is back to her normal routine of napping in the shade of her palms and perching on her favorite platform.Sedation always comes with risks so being able to perform this quick and simple procedure without sedation was wonderful. Catching Precious in the squeeze cage was fairly easy thanks to our operant training program and the amazing volunteers who implement it. You can help us provide top-notch veterinary care by donating at: https://www.bigcatrescue.biz/ 

Summer Camp Registration is Open

 Summer camp at Big Cat Rescue is one WILD time! For more info please visit: https://bigcatrescue.org/kids-camp/Children 8 to 15 years old are invited to explore the great outdoors with 100+ big cats of every size, color and purrsonality. While participating in educational activities campers enjoy meeting lions, tigers, leopards and many other felines. Join us for outdoor exploration on our 55 acre campus while learning about animal habitats, diets, adaptations and conservation!https://youtu.be/Nz9m5r0Lezs 

Rep. James W. Grant Visits Big Cat Rescue

 “I always brag about our district and Big Cat Rescue is yet another reason I believe that this is the best district in the State. My team and I had a blast on our visit to Big Cat Rescue. As a Jesuit and Auburn grad, I’m partial to the tigers but am extremely proud of the work that the employees and volunteers are doing on behalf of all of these beautiful animals. We look forward to our next visit to Big Cat Rescue and the opportunity to continue to support their efforts.” James W. Grant Representative, District 64 

Big Cats Attack on NatGeo Wild and Fatal Attractions

 Keep a sharp eye out these season while watching NatGeo Wild and Fatal Attractions.  You will see Big Cat Rescue President, Jamie Veronica in the Cat Dancers episode of Fatal Attractions and several of our cats in cameo roles on both channels. 

Update on Vacation Rotation Enclosure

 We have undertaken our largest cage expansion project in the last 15 years with the Vacation Rotation enclosure. This 2.5 acre enclosure will allow each of our lions, tigers and other great cats to have a 2 week turn in this space that gives them far more room to run and unleash their inner cat. It is certainly our most expensive undertaking and we expect it to cost $200,000.00 when completed. The first $26k of donations were matched 100% due to generous matching grants provided by Larry and Pam Trissel and the Little Family Foundation. We have now received a wonderful additional $25k matching grant from the Reitzel Foundation, and an additional donation of $10,000 from the Trissels. So, the first $61,000 in donations received for this important project will be matched 100% for double impact! So far we have raised $57,394 and we have set the poles, built a hillside den, and raised the first of four rows of wire panels. We need your help to get it done. 

Young Artist Supports Big Cats with Roaring Talent

 A round of “a-paws” goes out to Johnny Mendoza of Sunnyside Highschool in WA for using his incredible artistic talent to raise awareness for big cats and Big Cat Rescue. For his senior project, Johnny held a charitable art show featuring his collection of big cat prints at Suntown Coffee. The proceeds from the sale of 100 limited edition prints of two cheetahs were donated to Big Cat Rescue.The prints left over after the show are now available for purchase in our online gift shop https://www.bigcatrescue.biz/.Each 8”x17” print is $20 and is signed and numbered. You can check out more of Johnny’s art on face book: johnny mendoza 95 (include the spaces) and tumbler: johnnymendoza1995.tumblr.com 

Top 5 Most Shocking Incidents of Big Cat Exploitation

 We hope by sharing a new list with you each month that you will join us in speaking out for the big cats and cubs that are exploited across this country every day. We encourage you to take one small action today and reach out via phone or email to contact the offenders listed below and politely express your concern. Together we can be the voice for the voiceless...together we can make a difference. Please join us in our mission of Caring for Cats & Ending the trade. No. 1 Leopard cubs and cougars were on display at two boat shows (Wisconsin and Minnesota) last month. An article in the La Crosse, WI newspaper says that Safari North owner Kevin Vogel has hundreds of exotic and domestic animals. Please let Shamrock Productions, which organized the boat shows, and the management of the two venues, the La Crosse Center and the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, know that the public does not want to see exotic animals used as entertainment.Shamrock Productions Ron Murphy, Owner info@shamrockprod.com 952-431-9630La Crosse Center - La Crosse, Wisconsin

Art Fahey, Center Director afahey@lacrossecenter.com 608-789-7413

Sue Wieman, Business Manager, swieman@lacrossecenter.com 608-789-7411

Tom Zielke, Operations Manager tzzielke@lacrossecenter.com 608-789-7432

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center - Duluth, Minnesota

Dan Russell, Executive Director https://www.decc.org/contact/executivedirector.html 218-623-1203

Chelly Townsend, Asst. Director https://www.decc.org/contact/assistantexecutivedirector.html 218-623-1209

 No. 2 The Osceola County Fair (Florida) had an "exotic petting zoo” in February where visitors could pet animals, including servals. There was also a bear show at which a bear was forced to perform. Please contact the fair's General Manager Dawn Rowe to let her know that animal lovers do NOT want to see exotic cats and bears exploited as entertainment and used to make money! Ask her to not have them back next year.Phone for Dawn Rowe: 321-697-3050 Email: kvls@osceolacountyfair.com No. 3 A supporter informed us that the Arkansas Big Buck Classic (Arkansas) had an 11-week-old tiger cub at its annual event in January. They even posted the cub’s photo on their Facebook page. Event organizers boast this is the “largest hunting event in Arkansas”. Why subject a tiger cub to such trauma and stress? Please let this group know that tiger cubs should not be exploited and used for their entertainment.Phone: 501-985-1533 Email Catherine Murchison at: arbigbuck@aol.com No. 4 We’ve learned that Promised Land Zoo (Missouri) has never had exotic cats at their zoo…until now. According to the zoo’s website, they will be offering “animal encounters” and “live animal shows” at their Branson location, which opens this spring. Please politely inform the zoo that they are heading in the wrong direction by using exotic animals for interaction.Phone: 417-337-9453 Email: info@plzoo.com No. 5 CORRECTION. We listed an incorrect email address for Sally Mere, the owner of a company called MY Productions, which organizes crafts festivals in Florida and allows a non-accredited “sanctuary” called Lions, Tigers and Bears in Arcadia, Florida (not the accredited sanctuary by the same name in California) to bring a tiger in a cage to her art shows. Thank you to all who contacted us about the wrong email! Please help us continue to educate Mere that she should not use tigers to draw art show visitors; she had a tiger at a show as recently as last week so we know she still doesn’t understand why this is wrong.Phone: 239-707-3467 Email: mypromo@mypromotions.com If you hear about exotic cats or cubs being exploited in your area, please contact Susan Bass at Susan.Bass@BigCatRescue.org. As always you can keep up with the latest action alerts at CatLaws.com Thank you! 

New T-Shirt Design Features China Doll the Tiger

 Check out our newest addition to our big cat apparel! Sleek original artwork showcases China Doll and her intense gaze. https://www.bigcatrescue.biz/ Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us and please share this newsletter with your friends and family.  You never know who might be the next great voice to roar out for the cats.  On March 15 of each year we draw one lucky winner from those who have spoken up for the cats at CatLaws.com to win an Animal Lover's Dream Vacation for two to Big Cat Rescue.  That winner could be YOU, or someone you asked to get involved!