AdvoCat 2013 10
Happy Growl-O-Ween!
Tired of the same old theme parks? Obnoxious crowds, packed parking lots, long lines—you know what I’m talking about.Want a more intimate scare this Halloween?[audio mp3="https://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GROWL-O-WEEN-2013.mp3"][/audio]Then join Big Cat Rescue Friday, October 25 for Growl-O-Ween. Get your tickets here:https://www.zerve.com/BigCatRescue/Night
Two New Rescues
Two very lucky exotic cats have found their way to a fur-ever home at Big Cat Rescue. At the links below you can read or hear their stories and see photos of them before, during and after their rescue.Meet JoJo the Caracal / Serval hybrid here: https://bigcatrescue.org/jojo/Meet Reise the Cougar rescue here: https://bigcatrescue.org/reise/
Lion Tacos May Lead to Extinction
No, we don't mean that restaurants who use the gimmick of offering lion meat are causing lions to go extinct, (although wild populations have been cut in half in the last 20 years) but rather that, THANKS TO YOU, this kind of bad behavior tends to cause the restaurants to go extinct. There have been a number of short sighted restauranteurs who thought it would drum up business to put lion meat on the menu, but it always results in bad press, a loss of patrons and in some cases that damage was so irreversible that they shuttered their businesses altogether.On Oct. 8 CBS Tampbay reported that Taco Fusion had closed up shop, taken down their social sites and were not responding for comment after the firestorm of angry posts and negative reviews that resulted from their grand plan of offering up the King of Beasts in their mediocre tacos.In 2011 the Tucson Taqueria gave the lion meat gimmick a try. According to Yelp their CA shop has closed.A few years ago Spoto's Steak Join tried the same outlandish ploy and, yes, you got it, Yelp says they're gone too.Several other second rate eateries, 1800Steaks.com and 1-800-steaks.net also found themselves on the receiving end of your many, angry emails and calls and you will notice that they no longer feature lion meat. It's bad business to mess with the "King" and we thank all of you who roared out on behalf of the cats.
Two Important Movie Screenings
Lion Ark follows the world’s most ambitious and daring animal rescue, with a narrative compiled from film, interviews, conversations and reactions as events unfolded. How attitudes to animals were changed in Bolivia, illegal circuses pursued and closed, and 25 lions airlifted to freedom. https://www.lionarkthemovie.com/The Paw Project documentary is an inspiring David and Goliath story of a grassroots movement to protect felines, both large and small, from the cruelty of declawing and how the movement has prevailed, despite the efforts of well-funded professional veterinary associations. https://www.pawprojectmovie.com/
Some New Videos by Big Cat Rescue
Fastest Way to Serve Watermelon to Big Cats
https://youtu.be/A0RjcUdqKAs
Draw My Life
https://youtu.be/IUEDchirfng
10 Reasons Why Big Cats Make Bad Pets
https://youtu.be/cX7ZqZVZRUc
Dalton Agency Video
https://youtu.be/VMn8pqAACKIThanks to all of YOU who voted for us during the Dalton Cares contest, we were awarded this poignant video by the Dalton Agency to promote comments to USDA to end the cruel practice of cub handling. Find out more at www.CubAbuse.com
Your Votes Help Protect Big Cats
The big cats count on you to provide them with the food and medical care they need, so even if you can't donate directly, there are so many ways that you can help. The Body Shop Dragonfruit Lip Butter campaign could result in thousands of dollars and free publicity for the cats. All we need to win is your daily vote here: https://www.facebook.com/TheBodyShop?v=app_158544360866891
Please Sign Petition to Save Cubs
Many of our supporters do not have a U.S. address and can't take action on a lot of our alerts, but Care2 is for everyone.
Tony the Truckstop Tiger Update
The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced that the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld their court win against the the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for issuing a license to the truckstop to keep Tony the tiger next to the gas pumps at the 24/7 station. More here: https://aldf.org/press-room/press-releases/louisiana-supreme-court-allows-victory-for-tiger-to-stand/We have offered to give Tony a forever home here at Big Cat Rescue but his owner is still insisting that he would send the tiger to a place that animal lovers hate; presumably just to spite us for speaking up for Tony. As bad as that choice may be, it's probably no worse than where he is now.
Free Halloween Goodies
Make your own Halloween To-Go box with your kids, or check out Halloween cards, games, puzzles and more spook-tacular fun at https://bigcatfun.com/halloween.html
Only $50k Left to Obtain $100k Matching Funds!
The purpose of the Big Cat Rescue Endowment Fund is to insure that we can meet our commitment to care for the cats for their entire lives. The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay manages our fund and has a wonderful matching program. When donations under the current fundraising program total $300k, the Community Foundation will match our donations by putting in an additional $100k! So each donation to the fund earns an additional 33% in matching funds.Thanks to many wonderful donors we are at this writing only $50k from the $300k goal and hoping to reach the goal by year end. To donate online to the Fund and earn an additional 33% on your donation visit https://www.bigcatrescue.biz/To donate by check, simply send the check made out to Big Cat Rescue and put “Endowment Fund” in the memo section. Minimum donation $50. If oversubscribed, donations will be applied to other sanctuary needs.
One of our tigers, Flavio, at 24 is believed to be the oldest tiger in the world. Our cats live far longer than is typical. We attribute this to our use of only the best (but naturally most expensive) food, the peaceful setting, our intense focus on enrichment to keep the cats happy and mentally and physically active, and on the excellent medical care provided by our vets.THANK YOU for helping us meet our commitment to these magnificent animals and obtain this large matching grant!
2014 Big Cat Rescue Calendar
This 13-month glossy color calendar features the big cats who call Big Cat Rescue home. Each month you will enjoy a fabulous big cat image to go wild over! Only a limited number will be printed, so to ensure you receive your 2014 Big Cat Rescue calendar pre-order it today! Calendars will begin shipping towards the end of this month.
https://www.bigcatrescue.biz/
Hyperthyroidism in Bobcats
Levi is an 18 year old bobcat who came to Big Cat Rescue in 1995 along with 10 other Bobcats who were destined to be harvested for the fur industry. Our Co-Founder had stumbled upon a facility in Omaha Nebraska that was raising Bobcats and Canada Lynx for the this purpose. In order to spare these cats, all of them were purchased from the breeder and brought to live at the sanctuary. Levi was neutered and now lives with Tiger Lilly.Several months ago Levi began to lose weight despite having a healthy appetite and being fed larger portions. It is normal for the cats to lose body condition as they age, but he seemed to be doing so more rapidly than usual.He was taken to Ehrlich Animal Hospital to be seen by Big Cat Rescue veterinarian Dr. Wynn. She performed a basic exam, collected blood and urine, and took xrays. Overall he looked remarkably good for a cat of his age.
The test results indicated that he had an elevated thyroid level, some kidney disease, and a urinary tract infection. Hyperthyroidism is a common reason for weigh loss in older cats. There are medciations that treat the condition, however, they come with side effects that affect the kidneys. Since Levi had some kidney abnormalities already, it would be a balancing act to determine the most effective dose of medication. He was started on a coursed of antibiotics to treat his UTI as well as medication to improve his thyroid levels.Two months later Levi has improved immensely. He is eating well and has gained 6 pounds! We are so happy that he is doing better and thank Dr. Wynn for the excellent veterinary care she provides to not only Levi, but all of the cats at Big Cat Rescue.
2013 Tee-Up for Tigers Golf Tournament a ROARING success!
Thanks to our friends at Seminole Lake Country Club, led by John Brott, Karen Jay and Jenny Hastings, this year’s event raised approximately $15,000 in support of the magnificent creatures that call Big Cat Rescue home.
We’d like to extend a VERY special Big Cat “Thank You” to all of our generous sponsors of the tournament:
“King of Beast”
St.Pete MRI
“Tiger”
St. Pete MRI
Jaguar of Tampa
Cheney Brothers
“Cougar”
John Brott & Karen Jay
Blue Bell Ice Cream
The Moon Under Water
Shamrock Dental
Mickey Quinn Seminole
Finley’s Pub
New Creations Ground Maintenance
My Tampa Agent.
The daylong festivities included a roaring round of golf followed by an awards ceremony, silent auction, purrrfectly delicious dinner and scrumptious desert table, generously donated by Cheney Brothers.
