2009 Big Cat Times 3

The Big CaT Times - FaLL 2009 - www.BigCaTResCue.oRg - 813.920.4130 - FoLLow us aT hTTp://TwiTTeR.Com/BigCaTResCue 1

The Big Cat TimesFall 2009

In thIs Issue

- Fur Ball- Rolex Raffle Page 2

- tiger neighbors- FWC update Page 3

- Freckles surgery- sponsorships- Wild Greetings- notable Visit Page 4

- PDKats - IDs Cool Cats- Gables Day Page 5

- CFC Donors Page 6-7

- trading Post Page 8-9

- Visit BCR- Order Form Page 10

- heroes- Grr-reat honor- Pave the Way- Go Green Page 11

- species spotlight Page 12

Big Cat Photos by Jamie Veronica unless otherwise noted.

Join us at the 2009 Fur Ball Mask-Grrr-ade! it’s sure to Be a roarinG Good tiMe!

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

TAMPA, FLA.PERMIT NO. 3084

Big Cat Rescue12802 Easy StreetTampa, FL 33625:Change Service Requested

As in the past, the primary purpose of this year’s Fur Ball is to throw a truly wild party for our supporters. A brief presentation will focus on details of the rescue of Freckles the liger and her two tiger companions Cookie and Alex after they were abandoned in Mississippi. Proceeds from the Fur Ball will go to provide a great home for the rest of their lives. The rest of the evening will focus entirely on fun with a truly gourmet dinner, complimentary wines and cheeses, enjoying the creativity other guests display in creating their “safari costume formal” attire and the costume contest, being swept away with the beat as you try your hand at the drumming circle, testing your luck at the custom designed big cat casino table and in the raffle to win a fabulous Rolex watch, bidding on great bargains in the silent auction and on exotic international trips and a chance to be one of the first to drive the incredible Jaguar XJ to be released in early 2010.

reserve your “sPots” now! Details and online reservations at www.BigCatRescue.org/FurBall.htm, for questions or phone reservations contact Jessica Allen at [email protected] or call 813.850.7052

date & tiMe: Friday, October 9, 2009 6:30PM to Midnight

loCation: The fabulous A La Carte Event Pavilion at 4050 Dana Shores Dr. Tampa, FL 33634 off Memorial Highway

attire: We call the unique Fur Ball attire “Safari Costume Formal”. You can come in traditional formal attire, come in safari, cat print or jungle orientation costume, or any mix in between, such as part formal with cat print accessorizing. Be creative and have fun with it! Prizes will be awarded! Use your imagination - get wild! For examples from the past visit www.BigCatrescue.org/FurBallPhotos.htm

IMPORTANT! WANT TO CONTINUE RECEIVING BIG CAT TIMES?

We tremendously enjoy keeping those who care about the cats informed about what is happening at the sanctuary. But as we implement new software to manage the mail list, we would like to limit the Big Cat Times mail list to those who wish to receive it. If you would like to continue to receive the Big Cat Times by regular mail, please either email us at [email protected] or cut out your address in the box to the left and mail it to us using the enclosed envelope. Alternatively, the Big Cat Times is also now available in a very cool online format where the pages actually turn on your computer screen. You can see this issue at: http://www.BigCatrRescue.org/000news/BCT/2009BigCatTimes3.htm If you would like to receive that version instead of the paper one, which gets it to you sooner, please let us know at the email address above. Thank you for helping us update the list!

THE WILDEST EVENT OF THE YEAR IS BACK

2 The Big CaT Times - FaLL 2009 - www.BigCaTResCue.oRg - 813.920.4130 - FoLLow us aT hTTp://TwiTTeR.Com/BigCaTResCue

S P E C I A L GUESTS

Join our Mistress of Ceremonies Cynthia Smoot from Fox 13 TV and our celebrity guest Tim Harrison, 2006 Educator of the Year winner, and author of Wildlife Warrior who is donating a copy of his book for each guest of our Table, Cougar, Leopard and King of Beasts sponsors. Tim stars in

the upcoming film directed by Michael Webber called The Elephant in the Living Room, which is about the exotic pet trade.

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

Mama Mia - Escape to Athens Islands of Skiathos and Skopelos, Enjoy Fresh Greek Delicacies, Soak Up the Sun at the Famous Beaches

eat Your Way through europe - Dine atop the Eiffel Tower, Gourmet Tour of Paris, Sample Chocolates in Switzerland and Feast in Rome

splendid China - See the Sights in Beijing, Tour the Great Wall of China, and Shop the Big City, Shanghai

dancing With the stars - Jet to New York for Private Ballroom Dancing Lessons with “Dancing With The Stars” Professionals Maxim Chmerkovskiy and Katrina Smirnoff

Wheels, heels, and Meals - Fashion in Milan, Maserati Tour in Modena, and Cooking School in Tuscany

neW Jaguar - 30 Days in the New 2010 Jaguar XF and Right to Buy any Jaguar in Stock at Dealer Invoice

C-130 hercules simulator - Time with the Last American Ace and One Hour For Two in High Tech Military Flight Training Simulator - Priceless

Bucs Club seats to Last Four Home Games - Enjoy Private Entrance, Padded Seats, Great View, and Access to the Exclusive Club Lounge!

ON THE MENUFirst Course - Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Salad in a Nest of Greens with Feta Cheese and Champagne Vinaigrette

and Homemade Rollssecond Course - Grilled Ocean-Friendly Coho Salmon Over Double Corn Polenta with Fontana Cheese & Garlic Seared

Asparagus Finished with a Chili Butter or

Portabello "Wellington" A Braised Portabello Mushroom Topped with Goat Cheese and Wild Mushroom Pate Enrobed in Puff Pastry with Rainbow Chard, Roasted Garlic Parsnip Potatoes Puree and Mushroom Madeira Wine Reduction

third Course - Alternating between; Venetian Dark Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Assorted Fresh

Berries and a White Chocolate Maskand

Golden Yellow Cake with Lemon Butter Cream, Fresh Raspberries, Tart Raspberry Sauce and a Dark & White Chocolate Mask

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR ONE WILD PARTY

Wild atMosPhere druM to Your oWn Beat

danCe the niGht aWaY

CostuMe ContestProWl the silent auCtion

trY Your luCk at the Wheel


MEDIA SPONSORS

LEOPARD SPONSORS

KING OF BEASTS

BiG Cat resCue Would like to thank these Generous sPonsors oF the 2009 Fur Ball.

IN KIND SPONSORS

SHERE KHAN & SNORKEL

"Mom! He's looking at me!" If you are a parent, you have heard it over and over. Kids will do just about anything to antagonize each other and tiger "kids" aren't any different. The problem is that tigers never grow up. For years Shere Khan and China Doll the tigers lived next door to Auroara the tiger. They had known each other since they were small and got along fine. After Auroara died of cancer last year we decided to move Snorkle the tiger into her spacious one acre, lake front Cat-a-tat. Shere Khan and China Doll (mostly Khan) would spend the entire day trying to annoy Snorkle. They would bark at him, bluff at him and pull on the fence that

separated them. Since Snorkle is deaf, their threats just weren't being acknowledged, and that must have been just infuriating. We tried all manner of things to keep the peace but nothing was working. Finally Snorkle was moved out. While in exile, Big Cat Rescuer Barbara Frank and some of the staff and volunteers clipped palmetto fronds around the sanctuary and wove them into the VERY LONG wall that separates the one acre tiger enclosure from the three acre tiger enclosure. They created a wall of fronds more than six feet high on Snorkle's

side so the cats cannot see each other. Good natured Snorkle is too old and too disinterested in being a trouble maker to pull them down. So far...it's working! Now they all have access to their entire enclosures as well as the lake. Photos clockwise top right; woven palmetto wall, China Doll takes a dip in her water trough and Rescuer Susan Mitchell cools her off with a hose, Snorkel thinks China Doll has a good idea and tries out his water trough.

FWC hearinG uPdate

The June 17, 2009 hearing of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission set a record for the number of animal advocates to attend and speak up at their meetings. More than 40 people spoke in favor of tougher laws to regulate the trade in exotic animals in Florida.

Most of the rule changes that were adopted are an improvement. The best news is that Cougars and Cheetahs were up-listed to Class I which means that they can no longer be kept as pets in Florida. Those who already own these cats can keep them, but cannot breed or replace them unless they meet the higher requirements for owning Class I animals which includes 5 acres of land, stronger cages and they cannot allow public contact after they reach 45 lbs.

Our biggest defeat was that the FWC approved a new category of licensee called "Sanctuary". No accredited or legitimate sanctuary asked for this category and 2500+ of the 2764 letters received by the FWC specifically asked that it not be adopted as it creates 4 major loopholes:

1. The new Sanctuary category allows possession of Class I animals without exhibition. On the surface this may sound good, but what that does is exempts the permit holder from having to comply with USDA who governs commercial uses.

2. Zoning laws cannot specify that dangerous animals cannot be kept as pets, according to the FWC who claims constitutional authority over all wild animal issues. Therefore the only way cities and counties can prohibit lions and tigers in residential neighborhoods is to have a zoning designation that does not allow for commercial uses. The new "Sanctuary" category is deemed a non-commercial use, as

long as they do not exhibit, and thus would thwart the cities, counties, and home owner associations' prohibitions.

3. If the "Sanctuary" does not exhibit, then they do not have to post a $10,000 bond imposed by legislators in 2007. Now someone can have a tiger in their back yard, call themselves a sanctuary, and as long as they don't get caught showing off their pet they don't have to post this bond.

4. Those who use and abuse big cats can hide their worst acts from USDA and the public. The FWC allows multiple people to be licensed at a single facility. The FWC also allows entities to have multiple facilities that are licensed separately. A violation at one does not affect the other. A circus could then have a location that is licensed by both FWC and USDA where they keep only a few

big cats in decent enough conditions to keep their licenses. They then open a second location, set it up as a non-profit with a different name and dump the animals they aren't using there. That dumping ground would not be commercial, thus

USDA would not license and inspect it. They could continue to breed those animals at the "Sanctuary" because they know that there would be no way for FWC to catch them. They could then use those babies as petting and photo props and perhaps in their acts until they mature and then dump them back into their "Sanctuary." When the cost of maintaining the "Sanctuary" dumping ground becomes too high, they could just walk away from the cats and leave it to the tax-payers to find homes for or euthanize

the cats.

To keep up to date on these issues and to find out how your voice can make a difference visit: www.Catlaws.com

“There are 58 big cats in a Palm Bay backyard right now that used to belong to Ray Grennell, AKA Thunderhawk, who takes baby tigers to flea markets. He’s moved on, and now they have nowhere to go.” - CB


NOTABLE VISITIn July BCR hosted Drs. Ted Mashima and Rowena Watson from Washington, DC for a VIP tour. Ted Mashima is a zoological medicine veterinarian who currently serves as the Associate Executive Director for Research and Academic Affairs for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, which coordinates the affairs of all North American veterinary colleges. He is on the faculty of Envirovet Summer Institute in White Oak, FL, which trains veterinarians aspiring to work in conservation. Ted co-edited the Rhino with Glue-On Shoes (Random House, 2008), a compilation of 28 stories written by zoo and wildllife veterinarians from around the world. Rowena Watson is a wildlife conservation consultant, whose main area of focus is international wildlife trade, covering legally and illegally traded species. She began working on big cat conservation and international policy when she was a science and diplomacy fellow at the US Department of State, where she

FreCkles the liGer needs a tooth FairY

16-year-old Freckles is one of the oldest Ligers around but she is one of the most recent arrivals to Big Cat Rescue. At the time of her rescue we could see a big hole in her jowl, and feared that it would lead to her demise, but she was in such bad shape that we just couldn't risk knocking her out to get a better look. Being a cranky old cat, she wasn't about to let us get a good look any other way either. She was given antibiotics in case it was just an injury, but now that she has become calmer in her new setting we can see that the problem stems from several broken teeth. Caged cats will often break off their teeth trying to chew their way out of their prison cells and when she was left behind to die in Mississippi she probably did just that. We have a vet who specializes in dentistry and is coming soon to do a root canal and as much dental work as he can in the short time we dare knock her out. If you would like to help Freckles and the other BCR cats consider a giving to our Medical Fund.

often covered CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and biodiversity conservation issues.

Rowena has a particular interest in wild tiger conservation, "There is a global political landscape to consider now for wild tiger conservation. In addition to maintaining adequate ecosystems and habitat for wild tigers -- there are serious policy implications resulting from the varied non-wild tiger populations. For instance the direct links between domestic tiger farming in China and the wild tigers left in neighboring countries, especially India. If China lifts its ban on domestic

trade in tiger parts, it will provide a legal end market for poached and smuggled tiger parts and products coming out of the few remaining wild populations. Another direct connection is the burgeoning population of "pet" tigers, especially in the U.S. The existence of this market affects our policies and funding capacity, in addition to our international image and the U.S. negotiating position. Many average citizens are not aware of the high biodiversity value wild tigers provide and that captive tigers usually have no conservation value and could not even survive in the wild. I was encouraged to meet Carole and visit BCR by my colleague Judy Mills, moderator of the International Tiger Coalition. I am impressed with the clear educational messaging BCR brings to the public about the downsides of breeding big cats and the exotic pet trade. "

Dr. Mashima added on to this, "Let us just consider the tiger for a moment--arguably one of the most charismatic animals in

existence. It is simply not enough to admire and adore them--their future existence depends on the active engagement of so many layers of our society. Academicians, international government and corporate leaders, nonprofit organizations are all working on behalf of the tigers... Rowena and I have worked with many of these entities. BigCat Rescue is a unique part of the solution--working to provide the best possible outlet for these beautiful creatures after they have been confiscated or abandoned and an avenue away from commercial use. "

Photos: Left - Rescuer Barbara Frank, Dr. Ted Mashima, Dr. Rowena Watson, & Rescuer

Jen Rusczcyk Above - China Doll the tiger.

BIG CAT CARDS - Send out greetings for any occasion. Using a new service you can send a real card with your message printed inside in less than 60 seconds and you don’t even have to visit the post office! Enthusem prints it, stuffs it and mails it, all for less than a greeting card at the store. Visit our online card site at:

http://bigcatcards.enthusem.com/


Big Cat Rescue is celebrating more than 16 years of rescuing big cats and you can help us celebrate by blowing a kiss to your favorite species. The cats that have been celebrated so far are; Windsong the bobcat, Hercules the snow leopard, Genie the sand cat, Jade the leopard, Nikita the tiger, Rambo the jungle cat, Aspen the cougar, Esmerelda the serval, Saber the black leopard and Zza Zza the ocelot. The species spotlight for September is Cameron the lion on page 12. Make a $10 donation to “kiss a big cat” and you will receive a glossy 8x10 photo of the species spotlight. “Kiss” your favorites or collect them all. Order on page 10.

sWeet 16 & neVer Been kissed

PDKATS TO THE RESCUEThe Tampa Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), the premier professional association for educators, in concert with the Hillsborough County School District, recently completed their first fundraising contest event for students called “PDKats.”The goal for each school was to raise $250, the approximate cost of feeding the lions and tigers at Big Cat Rescue for one day. At the final tally a total of over $4,600 has been donated, which is equivalent to the cost of feeding a tiger or lion for a year!

Prizes were awarded for the best efforts thanks to generous donations of incentives by Jaguar of Tampa and the Sirata Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach. Both corporate sponsors are long time supporters of BCR.

The winning teacher was David Nelson from the PE Department at Davidsen Middle School, whose class raised $1,400. Brent McBrien, Principal of Davidsen, and Area 2 Director, Jerry Jackson were the other winners, but Mr. Jackson opted to defer his prizes to one of his other teachers, Ms. Jeni Rouse at Lomax Elementary.

We would like to offer our profound appreciation to Bonnie Kirstein of Davidsen Middle School for all her hard work coordinating this event, to Dr. Jacquelyn Masters, Principal of Seminole Elementary, and President of PDK during this event. Big Cat Rescue is fortunate to have friends and supporters like PDK, and the Hillsborough School District students, teachers and staff.

Cool Cats that CareBCR was privileged to again host the Independent Day School’s “Cool Cats” on tour on Friday May 22nd. The first and second grade students came out to present Big Cat Rescue with the remarkable donation they raised of over $1,000 dollars! This is 10th year that IDS has donated to Big Cat Rescue.

This project started as a community service. This project is also a hands on education in economics and beginning a business. First, students secure a loan from the “bank of IDS” (the school), complete with collateral. The children then set up a "Safari" store where safari type items are sold to the whole school. The children also produce and package a trail mix called "Meow Chow" to sell at the store. They advertise the store with posters, commercials and ads in the school newsletter. The children act as sales people, cashiers and accountants throughout the process. All of these efforts culminate in a wonderful field trip to Big Cat Rescue where the children get to see firsthand how all their work has paid off!

The teachers involved this year were Debi Brockmeyer and Andria Petty. It just goes to show that at any age people can make a difference. We extend our sincere thanks to the students and teachers of the Independent Day School who really are "The Cool Cats that Care."

GABLES DAY 2009 IS HUGE HELP TO THE CATS!Gables Residential is an incredible company that owns and manages commercial real estate in cities across the country. Each year their regions select a non profit to help for a day on a massive scale. Big Cat Rescue was fortunate to be chosen this year as one of the beneficiaries of this tremendous generosity.

Employees Robert Taylor and Melanie Maughan did a masterful job of organizing the efforts of over 100 employees and vendors who donated time, material and an enormous

amount of labor. Vendors like Criste Construction, TruGreen of Tampa and Orlando, Allstate Tree, Southern Pride and LMC Landscaping brought equipment and staff. Gables and other vendors donated cash to purchase materials. Chick-fil-A donated a hearty lunch for all.

A huge amount was accomplished! The road to our rear entrance, which in the past was under water and unusable during heavy rain, is now higher, wider, and has a turnaround area to make it function in any weather. Our summer campers and their parents who had to ferry to the camp building will not recognize it.

The half of the double chain link fence that was blocking our ability to continue to build the new solid wall along our south border was taken out. The heavy foliage that was growing into it and into the section of fence that will remain was painstakingly removed. On the east border, the invasive trees that have been pushing our wall over were all trimmed back and chipped. The unsightly well pump at the south entrance was encased in a wooden pump house that was built and painted. Finally, the area on both sides of the south gate was irrigated and planted with spectacular landscaping.

On behalf of the cats, thanks so much for making Big Cat Rescue the beneficiary of your 2009 “Gables Day!”

Chat Big Cats online at www.ChatBigCats.com

People who love animals love to share their photos and stories. Now Big Cat Rescue has a Chat Big Cats community.

Unlimited storage space for your photos, videos and music. Post your own blogs, or join in our forums and contests.

A one-time charge of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Full disclosure at: http://commons.m/t US Subscribers only

1198 Membersand Counting


AnonymousMarilyn Abbott Jennifer AdamsJohn AdamsLynnsi AdamsAllen AdducciDarrell AidenCharles AkersBrent AlexanderGregorio AlfonsoKaren P AlfonsoShiva AllenThomas AllenPatti M AlmaPaul AlmeidaDaniel AlvarezMelissa AmosLeona AnasiewiczSandra AnayaAndrea AndersonKailee AndradeEric ArmentroutEric ArmstrongMary ArndtApril ArterDaniel ArthurMaile ArthurBrett G. AutryAndrew AuxierAndrew AyersMarcey AyersBrandy AyresChristopher BackleyJoseph BaffaroPeggy BaileyCrystal BakerShirine BakerDavid BaldreeCraig BardJan BargenMargaret BarrettDavid BartolomeiTeresa BaruffaEric BatchelorRichard BatchelorPatricia BatesRick BatyeChristine BauerTodd BeckerDouglas BecksteadWilliam BehrendtLantie BellLyndi BellRita BennettAmy BensonRebecca A. Bernard

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Sandra ClaytonSuzanne ClementJ. ClesterJulie ClineRachel CogginsMichael ColandriaJimmy ColeStaci ColeNatasha ColemanRafford ColemanAshley Conner

Candace CookDana CookKristy CookAngela CooneyVirginia CoonsLinda CopelandJoshua CordeiraWendy CortesWendy CortesJoseph CostelloRoss CottrellGabriel CouchRene CoughenourJoyce CourtneryRichard G CovelliLaurel CovingtonBarbara CraneKatherine CroweAntony CruzDerek CruzStephanie CsornokJosh CummingsRoger Iii CumpianVictor CunninghamMichelle CurtisTara CurtisValerie CurtisBrandon CzerwinskiBetty DahlemLinda DaltlstromChristopher DambrosiaAntonio Damon

Marie DamourNatasha DanchakMichael DanielloTina DarlingAmber DavisBarbara DavisKathleen DavisKristen DavisMark DavisVickie Davis

George DawRichard DaySamantha DeanJames DemetriadesBrian DentDenise DeshazoJermy DesmarceisDavid DesomerPierre DesrosiersLorraine DetaeyeYvonne DettlaffShannon DeweesChristy DickeyJennifer DidonatoTerri DiehlJoshua DillonMiranda DimickPhillia DolliffKind DonorDeborah DorsoyKassandra DotsonKevin DownsGregory DrakeVictoria DrefsRita DulaJennifer DunawayJennifer DunnKathleen Dunning-TorbettTanya DutillMatthew DyllaSandra EddingsElizabeth EggertPaul EggertAvbrey EgolfDavid EllisNicholas ElstonKirsi EnckellScott EndicottElaine M. EricksonDavid EslickCarl EureniusCatherine FahrigKaren FairhurstJane FarabaughSteven FarbmanDaniel FargasonAnne FarsonBarbara FarwellRandy Faught-HelmTymothie FaulknerDanielle FeltanSandra FerguesonJennifer FernandezCynthia FerreSusan FialkowskiCharlie Fields

Troy FieldsDaniel FillmonPaul FinneyKatherine L FisherMegan FlahertyBonnie FlanaganMarilyn FleckRaymond FoglianoMatthew FoleyDavid FonnerKathryn ForteLindy FortenberryKate FortkampWilliam FosterAlvin FougereSara Fowler-McwilliamsBarbara FreebyRichard FrugeR. Christopher FudurichMeredith C. FuentesNichol FuentesAmanda FullerCathy GabelCary B. GalbreathDavid GalikEnid GalliersKevin GalloLaura GambleRicardo GaonhRobert GarciaKay GardinerDoreen GardnerWyvonna GarmanAnthony GarzaMarc GarzaRobert GasparottoAvery GastonPatrick GearhiserKaren GeislerNancy GentryRussell GentryJohn GerhauserCaren GibbsDeborah GibbsDeandra GibsonDeborah GifoliHeather GilbertDonna GillJanet GineproMorgan GistMike GladisTracey GlassAmanda GleasonMargarita GoldsmithStephanie GordonNicolaus GraeberSusan GrayJoseph GreenStephen GreenSusan GreenbergMark GreeneRonald GreeneWilliam GreeneAaron GreeningerBret GreggMatthew GreggLaurie GrierMichelle GriesseJohn Griffin

Sturgis Griffin, IIIJennifer GriffithAlisha GroffRick M. GroseDiane GrossElaine M. GuentherPatricia GumzDeborah Gunnlaugs-sonJerauld GunzelmanMichael GurwitzCatherin GuzikLori HaddadVicki HaddadJason HakesCatherine HaleyCathy HallDavid HamelJessica HamptonHollis HansenVirginia HansenBreann HansonChester HarrisLarry HarrisLaurie HarryCraig HartDeborah HaskellJeffrey Hasler

John HaveckerRyan HawkinsKenneth HayesLynda HayesJessica HaymannJohn HaymannArron HeadDeborah HeadRebecca HeadySamantha HelmsJeanne HendrieEdward HenkleJacqueline HerbertGarry HermanTracy HerrinAndrew HerrmannMelissa HeyLisbeth HeywoodJohn HicksRhonda HicksLinda HiebertKathleen HigginsDouglas HilleboeChristi HiltonChristopher HitchcockChristopher HitchcockMary HittMonica Hitt

Matthew HoelSarah HoffmanJashmine HoganKatheryn HokeRae HoldmanJason HollandSarah HolleyTamera S. HolmesMelissa HoluszkoMiller HoneycuttGabriel Hons-OlivierJennifer HoodRoberta HooverFaye HorladnerLeslie HorwatDavid HoukDavid HouseJonathan HouseVictoria HouseDylan HowellLisa HrenaHolly HubbellNate HudsonMichelle T. HueCheryl HuelkerChristina HuffMorgan HundleyCody Hunsaker

Geoffrey HunterAngela HussEkko HussHope IbannaSarah IgoeMichael M InmanAllen IommiHanna JacksonJenny JacksonJeremiah JacksonRonald JacobiElizabeth JacobsAmanda James-GreeneJanis JarvisJeff JarvisJudith JenningsJudy JenningsTheressa JensonJames JettElizabeth JohnsAdrian JohnsonEileen JohnsonErin JohnsonMitchell JohnsonNeistasha JohnsonStephen JohnsonBarbara Johnston

Brenda JohnstonJacklyn JonasKenneth B. JonesMichael JonesShawn JonesGregg M. JorissenKim KalusaKarla KaminskiDean KauffmanJames KavanachSandra KavanaughRobert S. KeehnJames KelleyRoseanna KellyJoshua KempJennifer KennedyMichael KennisonKaitlin KennySandra KerrFariborz KhademAdam KiddNathaniel KilgoreKaren KingMary KinzlerNancy KirchnerJeanne L. KittleMalcolm KleinBrandi Kleinschmidt

Brandon KleveRay KlimcsakNicholos KlotzCarleen KlumppKasmira KoldenKathy KoppLynne KorelitzAdam KotschiLaura KovalikMelanie KowalksiDerek KressBryan KulanoMarsha KushmerMarshall L. KushmerKara KyleWilliam KyleBrandon LahmalaCarmen LamneckBart LankardAngela LarsonDavid LarsonJudith LarsonDonna LaskyLaura LathamTommy LathumMichael LatoucheMarrie LauthJonathan Leab

thanks CFC suPPorters! The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a program under which Federal employees can elect to make donations to non profit organizations through payroll deductions during the year. Big Cat Rescue qualified for CFC nationally in 2007 and since then almost 1000 Federal employees have chosen to support the cats in this way! This has become a major source of funding for us. We are enormously grateful to all of the people below, as well as those who elected to be anonymous, who have helped us provide the best home we can for the cats.


Nathaniel LealMary LearyJohn LebenElizabeth LeeGeorge LeeKatherine LeeLanita LeeMichelle LeightonKenneth LejkowskiLuann LeonardiMichelle Leonard-ScottLorenz LeopoldKenneth F. LeskaskiBrenda LevyMary LewallenCasey LewisJohn LibertoVosbugh LindaBrendan LindsayEdward LinkAlan LinsanganKacie LippincottJack LiuMeagan LobdellMary LodatoJoseph LombardoJennifer LopezJessica LopezZazy LopezDean LoveLohn LoweJavier LozoyaMary K. LudatoCarlos Lugo-FontanezDebra LukerMajorie LulayJames LyonAngelica MabiniAdoleo MaccraghDianne MacdonaldPearl MacgregorCarla MackKatrina MahoneyBrandy MandersRichard J. Jr. ManningCristobal ManzanoMarco MarcellusJoseph MarchesmiKimberly MarcinKaren MarcotteMonica MarksJoseph MarmonStephen MarrinarAmanda MarronSusan MarstonDawn Martin

Joyce R. MartinMeagan MartinWinter MartinezJasonandapril MartosScott MartzJudith MassungSasha MateerPatricia MathewsDavid MathewsonKath MaupinShirley MaxwellAlexandria Mc CloskyMichael Mc DonnellJonathan Mc GuireMax Mc IntyreJessica Mc KenzieJonathan MccartyAmy MccguinnessTom MccreadyCherice McdanielMichael McdonnellMichael McelroyMichael P. McelroyCrystal McgahaGail McginnShannon McgrayShannon T. McgrayCoral McgueSamuel MckenzieCharles McknightSierra B MclanahanScott MclaughlinKaren McleanSean McmanusDamian McnealLinda McwhorterShawn MellenbergerMiranda MeltonCanna MercerCollette MerendaDaryle MerlockAlbert MerrifieldBrend MersonErin MetteeJan MeyerScott MeyerLinda MichaelMelissa MichalikJessica Michel-RamirezAndrew MiedhHeather MillerJanelle MillerMelissa MillerRobert MillerStephen MillerWendy Miller

Cheryl MillinerRosemary E. MillsJames MinkAntonio MirandaMarie MitchRick MitchellSandra MitchellTonya MitchellKari MonksLaura MonteithMadelyn MoormanChristina MoosCharlelne MoralesJacquelin MoralesWendy MorasseJon MorganVicki MorrisJenny MosesTeresita MotolaKaren MoyerNicole MuenchowKimberly MullinsJoshua MyersAnn NagengastAlan NatividadDouglas NefferdorfRobert NelsonAlina NessKrisotpher NetzelJulia NeuweilerAmy NewmanJohn NewmanTammy NewmanCharles NicholsDaniel NicholsDenise NicholsJoshua NicholsonBruce NiedtJoel NielsenPhilip NielsenErika NievesBrittany NimmoSusan NitsehRyan NixonCarol NizzardiniStephanie NokesNova NoonAshley NormanAshley NorrisElizabeth NorthChristine OberholtzerMark ObiedzinskiHelen O'Brien-BriggsTheresa OgdenJon OhmanBenjamin OntiloStephan Opalka

Mindy OpheikensThomas OsterdockChris OsterodeChristine OstopoffMaria O'SullivanNancy OverdahlMary OwensCynthia Owens-MannsLinda PaciniHeather PalmerKareena PalmerKevin PalmgreenJames W ParentThhomas ParkAdam ParkerKyle PaschenJillian PassIlselore PassalacquaChristine PasunGary PatishnockEvan PaulLaura PawukElizabeth PeakeNicholas PearsonDaisy Perez-WillsJoshua PerhamDeidre PetermanDonna PetersonNancy PetersonBryan PetitKelly PettitChrestie PfantzDeborah PiagentiniLisa Wallen PicardCarole PilgrimNilsa PillotJeffrey PingerJohnel PipkinCeleste PlaisanceMegan PleasantPaul PlunketNancy PonderAngel PooleBrandon W PossBrenda PostCharlene PotterHeather Power-AndersonLacey PritchardMyranda PrivettPenelope ProchazkaCaren ProctorVirginia PuddisterRyan PughJoseph QuinlanGurardo QuintanaCindy RamirezGloria RamirezAlice C. RamondiDaniel RandKayla M. RandoAmy RaphaelMaile Rasco ArthurEmily RasmussenPeter RathKalvin RatschChristy RawRandi ReetzCorey ReiderTroy Ressel

John RichMichelle RichardsMatthew RichardsonRaymond RichardsonStephen RittermannJessica RiveraChristine RobertsKeith Roberts

Shey RobertsTrista RobertsonDavid RoblesTerri RobsonSuzanne RodenRandy RodrigueAngieica RodriguezEmelene RodriguezTabbitha RogersRachael RohrbachRhandee RohrbackNada RomeroWilliam RootAndrew RoseKelly RothRodney RounkeKarl RoushMichael RousseauHeidi RowlandErnest RuestMary RuhlAaron RuhlandAndrew RumsbyJames RustNathaniel RyanSusan SabotSean SadlerJamie L. SaivesJessica SalyersKyle SampleKelly SanbornJames SandefurRichard SandelliBrandon SandersScott SanneMarin SantanaVijay SarathyRafael SaritsonRobert SausvilleAngela SayreRachel SchaefferJoseph M. SchaferAnn SchatzerRalph SchillerBecky SchlosserAnthony SchmidtPatricia SchneiderPatricia SchoenfeldLisa Schott

Susan N SchreckSonja SchultzAngela SciyreBenjamin ScottChristopher SealeLauren SeiglerBrenita SelementMichael Serenelli

Lynette SesslerMario SestiDusty SextonCheryl SeymourRafael ShamilowAmanda ShawMichael D ShayJacqueline SheddHilary SheppardMildred ShockleyCharles ShoemakerE SholkoffChristina ShortSandra ShufeltKim SikoryakHolly SilkmanJamin SilvaJames SimpsonVickie SimpsonPaul SimsBarbara SindermanHarold SingletonKaren SinkeyMaria SirbuKatherine SireRachel SkodaMelanie SlawlBlake SmallNorma SmihalDustin SmithEdward SmithJacie SmithJennifer SmithKristin SmithMichael SmithChad SorbinLuke SpataroJulie E. SpencerThomas SpencerJulie E. B. SpencerfJessica SpidalLaura SprankleElizabeth St JohnPatricia St. JohnJoe St. MartinSean StammJanice SteinCarolyn K. StephsJerald Stern

Please note: The list above includes donors reported to us for the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. Names for the 2008 campaign are reported to us gradually from March 2009 to August 2009. The list above is complete through the end of June. Most names should have been reported by then, but any that are reported after that date will be recognized in our next newsletter. If you chose to have your name reported (i.e. did not select anonymous) and are not on this list, we would appreciate your emailing your contact information, including which CFC you are a member of, to [email protected] so we can watch for your name in the final report and investigate if it does not appear. Thanks!

Adam SternerBrittany StewartAnita N. StiversPeter StokelyShannon StonekingThomas StrattonAlicia StraussGail Stroble

Deborah StrodtmanDonna StromeckiJackie SukupJackie SukyeMatthew SunAnna SuttonPatrice SvetakaJames SwansonRyan SweetGreg SwensrudJohn SzeEugene TabitaChristopher TaylorDavid TaylorDebra TaylorJennifer TaylorTammy TaylorBarry TayorTerrance TennantJudith TerryJudith TerryKristi TerwilligerShawn Tharp

George ThomasRichard ThomasRobert ThomasRebecca ThompsonJessica ThrelfallRobert ThrogmortonLynn ToopolskiArturo TorresEd S. TorresJonathan TotaroDaniel TovesCraig TreadwayAubrey TrejoAmanda TrippleLeonard TrotterAmanda TruittJared TuckerChelsea TugawKathie TurnbullDee TurnerJennifer TurssellHoward TuttleMary TuzmanEric UgreOlan UnderwoodRich UnderwoodRichard UnderwoodDawn UnglesbeeAlisa UzoaruTracy ValdezSuzanne ValentineJeff Van DorpAlex VandereisWendy VarhegyiSherri VegasVincent VentimigliaSusan WadykaBeatrice WaggenRoberta WagnerShelly WallThomas WallettAndrea WalshDaryl WalshSandra WaltersCynthia Warr

Willis WarrenJames WasilkoJesse WeakleyJo WeddendorfEva WeemsLauren WeigandJane WeinsteinBenjamin WellensCarl WescottAllison WestphallCarey WheelerBrian WhiteKeith WhiteNaomi WhitfieldJane WhitmoreDaniel WhittenLynn WhitternNorman WickSheila WiersmaGilbert WilcoxJohn WilcoxRobin WilliamsonVaughn WilliamsonJill WilsonJocelyn WinslowJyles WirtaRicky WolphDavina WongSarah WoodsSara WoodworthMatthew WoosleyDebra WrightJudith WrightKathy WrightRobert WrightPatricia WyattSusan WynnAnn ZaharisJoan ZaleskiDeborah ZarzycznyFrances Zumpano

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

GENEROSITY!


Metal Magnets Choose Tiger, Cougar, Lioness, Lion, Snow Leopard, Black Leopard, Ocelot, Serval, or Bobcat

$5.14

Photo Magnets and Key Rings Choose Any Species at BCR

Magnet $5.68 or Key Ring $5.21

wIlD GIfTS wIlD GIfTS wIlD GIfTS wIlD GIfTS wIlD GIfTS wIlD GIfTS wIlD GIfTS

ToyS & GAMES ToyS & GAMES ToyS & GAMES ToyS & GAMES ToyS & GAMES

Themed Monopoly Board Games

Choose Animalopoly, Earthopoly, or Catopoly

$28.54

ThE BIG CAT TRADInG PoST - ShoPPInG GUIDEGifts that keep on giving. By purchasing the gifts on these pages not only will you be giving a truly unique gift, but the proceeds help us care for all of the big cats living at Big Cat Rescue. order these gift items using the order form on page 10. S & h within the United States as well as tax has already been included in the price. you can also upgrade your shipping to Priority for just $3 for your entire order. for luxury cat themed gift items visit BigCatluxeGifts.com

5” Diecast Metal Animal Explorer Truck $17.98

African Animal Action Figure Set Also Available: Asian or Rainforest $15.84

12” Trent Tiger $13.70 12” Bobcat $13.70 12” Luther Leopard

$13.70

Travel Around The World 10” travel case with world map, stickers, choose tiger or lion

flopsie $17.98

Soft & Cuddly 20” Snow Leopard Plush $25.00

Magnetic Clingers Choose Cougar, Lion, Lynx, or Tiger $8.42

Vehicle Vanity Plates Choose Snow Leopard, Tiger Smile, Tiger, Leopard, Lion or Snow Leopard $11.56

Orange BCR Sports Bottle 18 oz. $8.35 White BCR Photo Wrap Mug $13.70

Cheetah Coffee, 8 oz, beans or ground $11.56 Shere Khan Shot Glass $7.82

Animal Print Logo Thermos $13.70

Bumper Sticker $5.21BCR Sticker $4.21

BCR Ribbon $8.35BCR Patch $5.28BCR Pin $5.28

Golf Club Cover $25.47

BCR Golf Ball $6.28

Big Cat TV, 6 Podcasts per Disc, Choose Vol 1, 2, or 3

$7.35 each

BCR Carabiners gold, black, or blue $6.21

Leopard Print Wine Sack

$5.68BCR LaserEngraved Wooden

Wine Cork $7.42

As You Flip the Pages You

Will Get a 3 Dimensional Look Inside a Bengal Tiger

$21.80

Tubby Wubby the Lion12” Plush Toy

$13.70

NEW ITEM

Plush Flip Cell Phone Cover, Choose Lion or

Tiger $10.56

NEW ITEM

Mini Sticker Books, Choose

Big Cats or Tigers $4.28

NEW ITEM

Extra Large Eco-Grocery Bag with Big Cat Rescue Recycle Logo on Front 13” Wide by 10” Deep by 15” Tall

Black with White Logo $13.70

Grassroots Beaded Figurines & Key Rings3.5” Lion or Tiger $20.12 9” Lion $24.40

12” Lion $50.00 Key Rings - Rainbow or Natural Lion $8.42

Encyclopedia Sticker Book Over 600 Stickers $19.60

Ultimate Domestic Cat Sticker Book $12.63

NEW ITEM NEW ITEM

NEW ITEM NEW ITEM


Longsleeve Tiger Tee, Tiger on Front, Stripes on Both Sleeves and BCR on Back, Black S, M, L, XL & XXL $24.40

BACKFRONT

Rhinestone Tiger Fitted Tee, also available in Spaghetti Strap Fitted Tank. Black. tee: S, M, L, XL & XXL$24.40 tank:

S, M, L & XL $21.19

Haunting Eyes Tee, Black with BCR Logo on Sleeve,

African Lion, Ocelot, Bengal Tiger, Cougar, Snow Leopard or

Siberian Tiger S, M, L, XL, XXL, & XXXL

$24.40

Visor, Logo, Adjustable, Khaki $15.84Adjustable Cap, Navy $24.40

Flex-Fit Cap, Olive or Pink $24.40Baseball Cap, Logo, Black $17.98

Brown BCR Tiger Tee, Pink Image S, M, L, XL & XXL $19.05

Gray Life Guard Tee, Navy Image BCR on Back S, M, L, XL & XXL $21.19

Where’s The Pride Zabu White Tiger Tee Black or White S, M, L & XL $31.89

BCR Logo Muscle Shirt Orange, Blue, or BlackS, M, L & XL $19.05

CloThInG & ACCESSoRIES CloThInG & ACCESSoRIES CloThInG & ACCESSoRIES

Moisture Wicking Logo Tee Cats of BCR Image on Back, Choose: Khan & China, Lynx, Cougars, Leopards, Cam &

Zabu, or The Small CatsS, M, & L $35.10

Top Cat Tee, Black w/ Logo on SleeveS, M, L , XL, XXL & XXXL $24.40

Brown Bengal Tiger Kids TeeBig Cat Rescue on FrontXS, S, M & L $15.91

Tiger Kids Tee Lime Green or Orange XS, S, M & L $13.70

Orange/White Tiger Baby Creeper BCR on FrontXS, S, M & L $13.70

Mother & Cubs Kids Tee, Purple Tie Dye w/

Logo on Back S, M, L & XL

$16.91

Paws Off Kids Tee Blue Big Cat Rescue on Front XS, S, M & L $16.91

BCR Logo Dog Bandana

Choose Blue, Black, or Maroon $6.28

Power Nap Lion Infant Tee Red Big Cat Rescue on Front

6 mo., 12 mo., 18 mo. $13.77

L is for Lion Toddler Tee Blue 2T, 3T, 4T $13.77

Big Cat Rescue on Front

Shorty Socks Choose Leopard

or Tiger Medium $9.49

BCR Logo Waist Bag Green

$16.98

Tan BCR Rhinestone FittedJunior Tee, Lettuce Edging

S, M, L, XL $24.40White and Navy Junior Tee

S, M, L, XL $19.05

Lavender BCR Rhinestone Ladies Tee

S, M, L, XL $24.40XXL $25.40

NEW ITEM

NEW ITEM

NEW ITEM

Tan African Lion Kids TeeBig Cat Rescue on FrontXS, S, M & L $15.91

NEW ITEM NEW ITEM NEW ITEM

Jinja Jewelry Asst ColorsFair Trade

Paper BeadJewelry Made

In AfricaBracelet$17.05Necklace$38.45

Gray Cinch Tote with EmbroideredBCR Logo in Blue $29.75

NEW ITEM

Cooling Neck Bandoo Leopard

or Kitty Cat $6.90

NEW ITEM


Description Qty. Size Price Each Total

PAVE THE WAY DONOR BRICK *

ROLEX WATCH RAFFLE TICKETS

2009 FUR BALL TICKETS $150.00

SPONSOR 1 FOOT OF PERIMETER WALL * $100.00

KISS ALL 11 BIG CATS - 11 8x10 PHOTOS * $110.00

KISS CAMERON THE LION 8x10 PHOTO* $10.00

NOTE: Fill out blue shaded box at bottom of form

Yes! I would like to make a donation towards the care of the cats $

I want to join the automatic giving program, please charge my card each month $

Yes, I would priority shipping for an additional charge of $3.00 $

Yes, I would like a receipt for tax purposes Grand Total $

Your tour admissions are a major source of revenue to support the cats. Thanks for visiting and caring!

Kids TourBig Cat Rescue offers regularly scheduled, guided, kids tours. This is a complete guided tour where children of all ages, and their parents can get up-close and learn about exotic cats and other animals. The tour is given on a child’s educational level. Reservations not required. - Tour Time is 9:00 AM Saturday, 1 hr - $15.00 per child under 10 years - $25 per child 10 years & over and per adult Children must be accompanied by adult guardian.

Day ToursMonday - Friday 9 AM & at 3 PM, 1.5 hrsSaturday 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, & 1:30 PM, 1.5 hrsGuided tour of the sanctuary. Admission is $25.00 per person. Reservations are not required. No children under 10 years of age.

Feeding TourFriday and Saturday at dusk. During this tour, you will follow along with big cat keepers. As you observe the big cats being fed, you will also learn about the cats nutritional needs in captivity. Admission is $50.00 per person. No children under 10 years of age. For reservations 813-426-5948

Big Cat Keeper TourThis tour takes you behind the scenes where you will enjoy making enrichment (treats and food puzzles) for the animals. After which you will follow along and watch as the keepers hand out the enrichment you made to the cats. You will also observe special operant training sessions with the big cats. $100.00 per person. The 2 hour Keeper Tour is offered every Saturday as well as the last Friday of the month at 2 PM. No children under 10 years of age. For reservations 813-426-5948

Wild Eyes At Night TourNight Tours are the best way to see the animals come alive! As you journey through the sanctuary you will be stalked and pounced at from the shadows! No worries though, all the animals will be safely in their enclosures. This is an adventure that’s sure to please! $50.00 per person. No children under 10 years of age. For reservations 813-426-5948

Also offered - WEDDINGS, PARTIES, VOLUNTEER & INTERN PROGRAMS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES are available for all of our programs and make the perfect gift for that person who has everything! Prices and availability for all tours are subject to change.

Billing Address

____________________________________ Name

____________________________________ Address

____________________________________ City St Zip

____________________________________ Day Time Phone

____________________________________ Evening Phone

____________________________________ Email

Recipient Address (if different than Billing)

____________________________________ Name

____________________________________ Address

____________________________________ City St Zip

____________________________________ Day Time Phone

____________________________________ Evening Phone

____________________________________ Email

Method of Payment Check Money Order

Visa MasterCard American Express Discover

Card Number

Exp. Date MMYY

Signature_____________________________________________________

This is a gift, please make card to: _________________________ from: _______________________ Brief message to say: _________________________________________________________________autoMatiC GiVinG ProGraM - Join the sustaininG donor soCietYBig Cat Rescue makes it easy and convenient to donate monthly with no worry. You can do this either by credit card or by direct debit to a checking account for as little as $5/month. For credit card donations, just fill in the highlighted line on the order form above and provide your credit card information. For checking account direct debit visit www.bigcatrescue.org/AutoPay.htm, email [email protected], or leave a message for Howard at 813-920-4130. This is a G-R-R-eat way to spread out your donations and provide steady support that is so meaningful for the cats.

Big Cat Rescue is a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization, FEID 59-3330495. Our Florida registration number is CH-11409. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-HELP-FLA TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Big Cat Rescue does not utilize the services of professional solicitors so 100% of all contributions go directly to Big Cat Rescue Corp.

THE BIG CAT TIMES ORDER FORM Fall 2009

Date: ____________________________

Special Comment, Request, or Question:________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

* Personalizations (How you would like your name to appear):

________________________________________________

Nic

o th

e G

eoff

roy

Cat

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you would like to continue to receive the Big Cat Times by regular mail, please either email us at:[email protected] or cut out your address on the front page of the Big Cat Times and mail it to us using the enclosed envelope. Please mark if there are any address corrections that should be made. THANK YOU.


Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc $4,250

Bronsen Bloom $1,800Merchants Association of Florida, Inc $1,500

Karen & William Beynon $1,100Aston Martin Jaguar of Tampa

$1,075Saab of Tampa $1,015

Betsy Coville, DVM $1,000R. & S. Cochran $1,000

Pamela Olson Koonts $770Nicki Lyford $600

Power Shack, Inc. $600Ann Newsom $500

Carol & Lou Wurmnest $500Claire Mooers $500

D. Fisk $500Daphne Butters $500

Home Depot $500Jay & Lianne Gumbrecht $500

Lawrence Trissel $500New York Life Foundation $500

Shirleyann Haveson $500Sue L. Roux $500

Mr. & Mrs. Leonards $400Mr. & Mrs. Kirk $350

American International School of Guangzhou $315

Kimberly Sarratea $300Patricia Wojtowicz $300

Harbour Island Athletic Club $261Andrew & Paula Lauderbaugh $250

Beckie Tomlyn-Litten $250Beth Maberry $250Donald Bower $250Jo Ann Dean $250

Joe Reina $250Meghann Shaughnessy $250

Milton Kale $250Ron Forbes $250

Anthony Urso III $200Apartment Guide $200

Kasey Sudbury $200Kristen Wilhelm $200

Larry Moore $200Mary Bearup $200

Michael Broad $200Nanak’s Landscaping $200

Sharon Abrams $200Steve & Bailey Desrochers $200

W Welch $200 William Evans $200

Bonnie Grisillo $175Kristi Terwilliger $175

Westchase Elementary $169Emma Petoia $160

House of Floors $160Christina Farah $150J&K Lawrence $150Linda Denning $150

Marianne Martin $150Michael Neblock $150

Rhonda Balsamello $150Robert Mitchell $150Sheila Morgan $150

Zorica Stojanovic $125Jane Deluca $125

Paul Balle $125

David Brooks $120Kathleen Slaven $120

Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists $112Kerry Beth Gilbert $105A. Kevin Stoppello $100

Amanda Seissian $100Anik Brincherhoff $100

Anna Gabrielli $100Antoinette Siegrist $100

Bob Bayley $100Brandon Marohn $100Cara Chapkovich $100

Carol Chufo $100Jeff, Stephanie &

Connor Joyner $100Christopher Allesee $100

Citra Stearn $100Craig Borden $100Daisy Jones $100

Danielle Price $100Dara Lynn $100

Darryl Olenchalk $100David Myers $100

David Poe $100David Schecter $100Diane Bernier $100

Diane Gilbertson $100Diane Hendrickson $100

Doris Schlichter $100Fontina Grijalva $100Frank Chadwell $100

Frieda Bachowski $100Mr. & Mrs. Geiger $100

Gretchen Gallagher $100Greyson Downes $100

Heather Rorer & Jeffrey Wheeler $100James Petty $100

Jo Anne Borek $100Joan Massie $100

Joe Martini & Jaime Gross $100Judith & Richard Klusza $100

Judy Van Orman $100June Allen $100Karen Tate $100

Kate & Ralph DeMarco $100Kathlyn Schrage $100Kathryn Greene $100

Kathryn Sapankevlich $100Koren Mateo $100

Kristen Gustafson $100Kristen McLellan $100

Marlyn G Leasing Inc $100Mary Czarnik $100

Mary Soltis $100Maxwell Fogleman $100

Patricia Titus $100Rae Ellen James $100

Renee Garcia $100Rita Bryan $100

Robert Hardway $100Roseann Beckman $100

Spencer Bard $100Steven Harrison $100Susan Williams $100

Terry Parton $100Thomas & Barbara Linton $100

Trudy Maslin $100Walter Silverson $100

William Ketz $100

Big CAT RESCUE SUPPORTERS

5 GO GREEN IDEAS FOR THE WORKPLACE

Greener homes are in the spotlight these days, but what about the other places where many of us spend huge chunks of our time--our offices? Some simple changes can save energy and resources at work.

1. BE BRIGHT ABOUT LIGHT - Artificial lighting accounts for 44% of the electricity use in office buildings. Turn off the lights when you’re leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.

2. MAxIMIzE COMPUTER EFFICIENCY - Computers in the business sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year. Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it’s plugged into—when you leave for the day. (Check with your IT department to make sure the computer doesn’t need to be on to run backups or maintenance.) During the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during breaks can cut energy use by 70%.

3. PRINT SMARTER - The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year. Save a tree and print on both sides or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid color printing and print in draft mode whenever feasible.

4. GO PAPERLESS WHEN POSSIBLE - Think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? When you receive unwanted catalogs, newsletters, magazines, or junk mail, request to be removed from the mailing list before you recycle the item.

5. RAMP UP YOUR RECYCLING - Just about any kind of paper you would encounter in an office, including fax paper, envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. Don’t forget to recycle those ink cartridges! One returned cartridge keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills. Remanufacturing one toner cartridge also conserves about a half gallon of oil.

6. CLOSE THE LOOP - Make it a policy to purchase green office supplies such as recycled paper and envelopes, refillable pens and markers, and remanufactured ink cartridges. Remanufactured ink and toner cartridges cost an average of 15% less than national brands.

PAVE THE WAYPlans to pave the main entrance to the Trading Post Gift Shop are underway. Be honored on the walk of fame and have your name permanently engraved on a special brick paver. Your donation will get this project rolling. There will be two paver sizes, 4x8 for $100 and 8x8 for $250. Personalized memorial bricks make great gifts for any occasion, such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, employee or boss appreciation, pet appreciation, or for that person who has everything.

CitiZen oF the Year is a resCuerBig Cat Rescuer Howard Baskin was named Northwest Hillsborough Citizen of the Year by the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce at their annual gala in June. Howard was honored with this award for work he has done with the Chamber, Rotary, Big Cat Rescue and as a Big Brother. Some of you know him as the person who keeps our finances straight (or the guy in the funny cat hats at the Fur Ball). In addition to serving on our Board and as our Treasurer and Advisory Board Chairman, he is on the Board of the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber and Chairman of their Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee. He is also on the Board of the largest Rotary Club in Tampa and Chairman of their Community Service Committee, where he organized projects to paint a senior living center, build an ADA ramp for a low income wheelchair bound seniors, and build a special wheelchair that can be used on rough terrain for those who have lost their legs to land mines in war torn regions. Through Rotary he also reads to underprivileged pre-school children at a day care center. Applying his Harvard Business School education and years of management experience at Big Cat Rescue has helped us grow financially and allowed us to build bigger enclosures, buy the best food for the cats, and build reserves to help insure that we can meet our obligation to care for these magnificent animals for the rest of their lives.


LION - PANTHERA LEO

Common Name: LionKingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata (Vertebrata) Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Pantherinae Panthera Species: leo

Misc.: The lion is the only species with tufted tails (both sexes) and manes (males). The mane allows the gender of the cat to be distinguished from afar, another trait particular to lions. They are also the only true social cat and live in groups called “prides.”

Size and Appearance: Second only in size to the Siberian tiger among the felines, the lion is the largest carnivore in Africa, and the second largest feline predator in the world. Average males weigh 385-550 pounds, and females weigh 250-320 pounds. The males reach an overall length of 11 feet from the tip of the nose to tip of the tail; females are just a bit shorter. Lions have a uniformly tawny coat, with variations in shading from light to dark. In the Timbavati region, white lions are found, which is a form of leucism as opposed to albinism. Black (melanistic) lions have not been observed and reports of black lions in captivity have never been confirmed. Males possess a mane that can range in color from blonde to red to brown to black. It covers their head, neck and chest, and its development is believed to be strongly influenced by testosterone. Lions’ ears have black spots on the backs, which stay black throughout their lives, unlike the black rosettes that cover their bodies when they are born.

Habitat: The lion prefers to live in open woodlands and thick bush, scrub, and tall grassy areas. The lion can, and will, tolerate a wide variety of habitats, absent only from rain forests and desert interiors. While lions drink water regularly when it is available, they can survive by obtaining their moisture requirements from their prey or from tsama melons. This allows them to survive in very arid climates.

Distribution: The lion was once found from northern Africa through southwest Asia (extinct in most countries within past 150 years), west into Europe (extinct 2000 years ago) and east into India (relic

population of about 350 in the Gir Forest only). Today, the majority of Africa’s lions can be found in east and southern Africa, with about 1,500 in west Africa. Most of the lions today exist inside protected areas. No accurate number of how many lions exist in the wild has been reported, but estimates are between 23,000-39,000.

Reproduction and Offspring: Lions will reproduce any time of the year, and all females of reproductive maturity will breed at the same time. This allows them to give birth in synchrony with each other, thereby sharing the suckling responsibilities. Any lactating female in a pride will suckle any cub that belongs to the pride. Lions give birth to 1-6 cubs after a gestation of 110 days. The cubs are born blind and helpless, and weigh approximately 2-4 pounds. Cub mortality is very high in lions, and less than half will survive their first year. Young males will leave their pride between 2-4 years if they can get away with staying that long, but sometimes they are forced out as early as 13-20 months. Females remain with their natal pride most of the time, although some will disperse and form new prides. In captivity, lions can live 20 years, as compared to 12 in the wild for males and 15-16 for females. The oldest lion ever recorded in captivity was 23 years old.

Social System and Communication: Prides are made up of a single male or a coalition of males (up to 7) and

up to 20 females and their offspring. The males defend the females and the territory from strange males, and competition among the males is fierce. A male’s average tenure over a pride is only 2-3 years, but can increase depending on the size and strength of the coalition. Lions use a variety of vocalizations, most notably the roar. It can be heard over a distance of 5-6 miles, and serves to let other members of the pride know where they are, and as a signal to strange males to stay away.

Hunting and Diet: Lions are very opportunistic eaters, and will take almost any prey ranging from small rodents to young rhinos, hippos and elephants. The majority of its prey, however, is medium to large ungulates, most notably zebra, wildebeest, impala, warthog, hartebeest and waterbuck. The females do most of the hunting, and

the male will come and join the females after the kill is made. The females will make way for the males and allow him to eat his fill first.

Principal Threats: Lions are generally

considered problem animals whose existence is at odds with human settlements and cattle culture. Their scavenging behavior makes them highly susceptible to poisoned carcasses put out to eliminate predators.

Status: CITES: Appendix II IUCN: Vulnerable

How rare is this cat? The International Species Information Service lists 69 in captivity in the U.S. that are registered with accredited zoos and sanctuaries of those only 3 are pure-bred. There are 4 lions living at Big Cat Rescue.

CAMERON Male African Lion Born 10/1/2000What was to happen to a lion named Cameron when an owner of the roadside zoo where he lived suddenly died and the zoo was forced to close? Luckily for Cameron, he came to live at Big Cat Rescue on 5/3/04. At the zoo, he had been raised with Zabu, the white tigress, and neither of them

had been spayed or neutered. There was a very high risk of the two cats cross breeding to create liger cubs. These unnatural hybrids are always faced with an assortment of birth defects and are not an actual species that should be bred for conservation. Even though Cameron went through a very tough time in which his former keepers said he had lost over 200 pounds due to starvation, Cameron paced himself to survive. Since Cameron and Zabu were true companions, we had to do whatever we could to make a long life together possible for them. The first step was to build a 3-acre Cat-a-tat designed especially for two large carnivores. Next, we had to address the issue of neutering Cameron. We learned that if we neutered him, there was a strong possibility that he would lose his gorgeous, thick mane. To prevent that, we chose for him to undergo a vasectomy instead and he remained separated from Zabu until we were sure no breeding could take place. Reuniting them was a special m o m e n t and they are now very happy and very p o p u l a r residents.

CHECK THIS OUT! This month’s Kiss a Cat is Cameron and for a $10 donation you can get this beautiful 8x10

color photo of him. The bottom of the photo reads: “(Your Name) Kissed Cameron the Lion”.

“Kiss” Cameron today with your $10 donation on page 10.

Documents

2009 Big Cat Times 3