Welcome Mickey the Cougar!

 To everyone who donated and who shared Mickey's story, we offer our heartfelt appreciation.  Mickey is one trooper of a cougar and despite his debilitating condition he still rolls on the soft ground and plays with his toys, bowls and even his den.  We have to fatten him up a bit, so he can be sedated and evaluated by an orthopedic specialist, but we have the vet date scheduled and will keep you posted.This video is heartbreaking to watch. We recorded it to let the orthopedic specialist see how Mickey walks, because like most cats, he tries to hide his infirmity.https://youtu.be/7tNfAZVMm4EYou can help us give Mickey the care he needs here: https://www.razoo.com/story/Animalhouse/ 

Big Cat Interns "Dive to Save Lives"!

 On Friday, August 22nd, five of the sanctuary’s amazing interns bravely jumped from 15,000 feet, the successful culmination of their month-long “Dive to Save Lives” fundraising/public awareness campaign.Lisa Horsborough, Lauren Buckingham, Joanna Atkin, Cody Tepas, Erin Stewart, and Ciara Reddie conducted “Dive to Save Lives” to raise both funds as well as public awareness in support of construction of a new and much needed big cat hospital at the sanctuary. These inspiring animal advocates successfully raised in excess of $7000, surpassing their original goal of $5000!Once the new Windsong Memorial Hospital has been completed, we will be able to perform X-ray and ultrasound imaging on both our smallest as well as largest cats, including lions and tigers. Being able to perform such diagnostic imaging at the sanctuary will avoid the need to transport our cat’s off site, sometimes for long distances to provide such crucial health care for the cats.ROARING Big Cat kudos to all of the sanctuary’s supporters who kindly donated in support of the “Dive to Save Lives” fundraiser and to our wonderful friends at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, Florida for their generous support of the magnificent creatures that call Big Cat Rescue home. 

Videos Since the Last AdvoCat

 It was too late to add to this AdvoCat MewsLetter, but to make sure you don't miss the upcoming video of the rescue of Mickey the Cougar, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, BigCatTV.com https://youtu.be/skA-FBUr0tY https://youtu.be/Q-PXVP5aKOQ https://youtu.be/xYLjl9qGBhA https://youtu.be/KijkmGEBxgk https://youtu.be/uSj9inMxUXA https://youtu.be/BkhFy7o1Aos 

Do It For Tony

 Deadline August 30th!  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will consider positive new amendments to its regulations governing the possession of big exotic cats, non-human primates, bears, wolves, and other dangerous wild animals. These amendments will close a loophole that might otherwise enable unscrupulous exhibitors to obtain an exemption from the state’s restrictions on private possession of dangerous species. They also will allow for the Department to make key, unannounced inspections at facilities that house dangerous wild animals. While ALDF continues to seek justice and freedom for Tony the tiger, the welfare of other captive wild and exotic animals will remain at risk unless these important regulatory changes are made.  Please send a quick and easy letter here:  https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5154/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18352 

Do It for Us...please

 The Internet and its social networking has been the best invention in my lifetime, but it the downside is TROLLS.  People who use and abuse big cats use our high profile reviews to spew their vitriol and a lot of the review sites refuse to take the comments down even though it is obvious that they are not real reviews by real visitors.  If you have visited Big Cat Rescue and loved what you saw, would you post a review (you can cut and paste the same one to each site) at as many of these review sites as possible?That pushes the trolls back down under the weight of your combined good will.  I like alliterations, so how about we call it Troll Trampling?  For every review site you post to, I think that has to count for one Troll Trampled, don't you?Here are the sites in the most important order:Please post your reviews at Great Non Profits, Charity Navigator,  TripAdvisor, Google Places,  and Yelp  So please post your review and then email me and let me know how many points you scored, based on the number of sites you visited and posted.  Thanks! Carole.Baskin@BigCatRescue.org  

Top Shocking Incidents of Big Cat Exploitation – August 2014

 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 contact one or more of the offenders below to politely express your concern. Together we can be the voice for the voiceless...together we can make a difference. If you learn of exotic cats or cubs being exploited in your area, please contact Susan Bass at Susan.Bass@BigCatRescue.org. American Furniture Warehouse owner Jake Jabs (pictured above) is said to be obsessed with tigers.No. 1 Jake Jabs, the owner of American Furniture Warehouse stores (Colorado), has posed with big cats and used them as “promotional tools” in his advertising for decades. For the retail chain’s Birthday Sale, he posted this video on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/1-9ICZqbSHgPlease let Mr. Jabs and his marketing team know that enough is enough. Animal lovers do not want to see him exploit tigers any longer.Email President and CEO Jake Jabs at jjabs@afwonline.comEmail Advertising Director Joe Straface at jstraface@afwonline.comEmail Public Relations Manager Charlie Shaulis at donation@afwonline.comComment on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/American.Furniture.WarehousePhoto of a man posing with a bobcat posted on Gatorland’s Facebook page.No. 2 Gatorland (Florida) has added bobcats to the list of animals they exploit. The woman who answered the phone at this tourist “attraction” tells Big Cat Rescue that “VIPs can hold and play with the bobcats.”Please let Gatorland CEO and President Mark McHugh and Public Relations person Michelle Harris know that bobcats should not be exploited for profit and used as entertainment for their visitors. It sends the wrong message that these wild cats can be tamed or make good pets.Contact CEO Mark McHugh at markmchugh@gatorland.com and 800-393-5297Contact PR rep Michelle Harris at michelleharris@gatorland.com and 321-284-8101Comment on Gatorland’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gatorlandExhausted tiger cub used for cub petting at the Mississippi Valley Fair in Iowa.No.3 Once again notorious big cat exploiter Joe Schreibvogel – whom Big Cat Rescue successfully sued last year in Federal court – had cubs at the Mississippi Valley Fair (Iowa) earlier this month. He was exploiting two tiger cubs and two of his new “liliger” cubs. We are told visitors were lined up most of the day waiting to hold and have photos taken with the poor cubs.The cubs were reported to us to be so exhausted they didn’t even open their eyes or move much. We believe this fair to be one of the worst in the country regarding animal welfare.Please ask the fair’s management to clean up their act and stop having big cats and cubs at the fair!Email Bob Fox at bob@mvfair.comEmail Vicky Speth at vicky@mvfair.comComment on the fair’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mvfairLion rug being sold at the Evolution Store in New York.No. 4 The Evolution Store (New York) is selling a “vintage” African lion skin rug for $16,000. Please help us politely explain to this retail store that THEY are the ones who need to evolve. There is no justification for anyone to buy or sell a lion skin rug. Big cats deserve dignity and our respect…they aren’t home furnishings!https://www.facebook.com/theevolutionstore/photos/a.10150211888870648.456932.397711695647/10153859557125648/?type=1&theaterContact the Evolution Store at 212-343-1114 and info@theevolutionstore.comComment on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theevolutionstore/timeline No. 5 The Central States Fair (South Dakota) just ended but it’s not too late to let the fair’s General Manager Ron Jeffries know that it’s just not right to have White Tiger Discovery exhibiting white tigers at their fair. Ask Jeffries to not allow this exhibitor or any other big cat exploiters at the fair next year!And why do journalists, who are supposed to present both sides of their stories, continue to write about white tigers without interviewing anyone in the animal welfare community? Rapid City Journalist Kayla Gahagan wrote an article about White Tiger Discovery at the Central States Fair and actually quotes handler Mike Whittman saying, “Captivity is a wonderful thing.” WHAT? Nothing could be farther from the truth.Read an article about the white tiger exhibit in the Rapid City Journal and add your own comment: https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/exhibitor-white-tiger-attraction-at-fair-adds-awe-factor/article_57e00d94-2bcf-5a4d-b81a-cf6122e7a8c0.htmlContact Central States Fair GM Ron Jeffries at 605-355-3861 and info@blackhillsstockshow.comContact Bart Pfankuch, Executive Editor at the Rapid City Journal, at 605-394-8293 and bart.pfankuch@rapidcityjournal.com 

Important Notice to Capitol One Credit Card Holders

 Privacy laws prevent Capital One from telling us what supporters have the BCR credit card. If you have a card, we would appreciate your emailing Finance@BigCatRescue.org to let us know so we can keep you informed on some changes that we cannot announce yet. Thanks so much for supporting the cats with your card purchases!