2009 Big Cat Times 3

The Big Cat Times

Fall 2009

In this issue - Fur Ball - Rolex Raffle Page 2

THE WILDEST EVENT OF THE YEAR IS BACK

- 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

Join us at the 2009 Fur Ball Mask-Grrr-Ade! it’s sure to be a roaring good time!

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.

- Species Spotlight Page 12 Reserve your “SPOTS” Now! Details and online reservations at www.BigCatRescue.org/FurBall.htm, for questions or phone reservations contact Jessica Allen at CustomerService@bigcatrescue.org 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 Big Cat Photos

by Jamie Veronica unless otherwise noted.

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 BigCatTimes@BigCatRescue.org 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!

Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625 :Change Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FLA. PERMIT NO. 3084

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GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR ONE WILD PARTY

WILD ATMOSPHERE

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

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

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

PROWL THE SILENT AUCTION

ON

THE

MENU

First Course - Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Salad in a Nest of Greens with Feta Cheese and Champagne Vinaigrette and Homemade Rolls Second 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 Mask and Golden Yellow Cake with Lemon Butter Cream, Fresh Raspberries, Tart Raspberry Sauce and a Dark & White Chocolate Mask

TRY YOUR LUCK AT THE WHEEL

Eat Your Way Through Europe - Dine atop the Eiffel Tower, Gourmet Tour of Paris, Sample Chocolates in Switzerland and Feast in Rome

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

COSTUME CONTEST

SPECIAL 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.

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

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!

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Big Cat Rescue would like to thank these generous sponsors of the 2009 Fur Ball.

KING OF BEASTS

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

LEOPARD SPONSORS

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.

MEDIA SPONSORS

IN KIND SPONSORS

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 Our biggest defeat was that the FWC approved a FWC and USDA where they keep only a few new category of licensee called "Sanctuary". No accredited big cats in decent enough conditions to keep their licenses. or legitimate sanctuary asked for this category and 2500+ They then open a second location, set it up as a non-profit of the 2764 letters received by the FWC specifically asked with a different name and dump the animals they aren't using that it not be adopted as it creates 4 major loopholes: there. That dumping ground would not be commercial, thus USDA would not license and inspect it.

1.

The new Sanctuary category allows “There are 58 big cats They could continue to breed those animals possession of Class I animals without in a Palm Bay backyard at the "Sanctuary" because they know that exhibition. On the surface this may sound right now that used to there would be no way for FWC to catch good, but what that does is exempts the permit belong to Ray Grennell, them. They could then use those babies as holder from having to comply with USDA who AKA Thunderhawk, who petting and photo props and perhaps in their governs commercial uses. takes baby tigers to flea acts until they mature and then dump them markets. He’s moved back into their "Sanctuary." When the cost 2. Zoning laws cannot specify that dangerous on, and now they have of maintaining the "Sanctuary" dumping animals cannot be kept as pets, according to ground becomes too high, they could just nowhere to go.” - CB the FWC who claims constitutional authority walk away from the cats and leave it to the over all wild animal issues. Therefore the tax-payers to find homes for or euthanize only way cities and counties can prohibit lions and tigers in the cats. residential neighborhoods is to have a zoning designation that does not allow for commercial uses. The new To keep up to date on these issues and to find out how your "Sanctuary" category is deemed a non-commercial use, as voice can make a difference visit: www.CatLaws.com

The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue 3

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.

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/

NOTABLE VISIT In 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

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.

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GABLES DAY 2009 IS HUGE HELP TO THE CATS!

Chat Big Cats Online at www.ChatBigCats.com People who love animals love to share their photos and stories. Now Big Cat Rescue 1198 Members has a Chat Big and Counting Cats community.

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

PDKATS TO THE RESCUE The 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!

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

COOL CATS THAT CARE BCR 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.

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.

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!

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!”

SWEET 16 & NEVER BEEN KISSED 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.

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."

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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.

Anonymous Marilyn Abbott Jennifer Adams John Adams Lynnsi Adams Allen Adducci Darrell Aiden Charles Akers Brent Alexander Gregorio Alfonso Karen P Alfonso Shiva Allen Thomas Allen Patti M Alma Paul Almeida Daniel Alvarez Melissa Amos Leona Anasiewicz Sandra Anaya Andrea Anderson Kailee Andrade Eric Armentrout Eric Armstrong Mary Arndt April Arter Daniel Arthur Maile Arthur Brett G. Autry Andrew Auxier Andrew Ayers Marcey Ayers Brandy Ayres Christopher Backley Joseph Baffaro Peggy Bailey Crystal Baker Shirine Baker David Baldree Craig Bard Jan Bargen Margaret Barrett David Bartolomei Teresa Baruffa Eric Batchelor Richard Batchelor Patricia Bates Rick Batye Christine Bauer Todd Becker Douglas Beckstead William Behrendt Lantie Bell Lyndi Bell Rita Bennett Amy Benson Rebecca A. Bernard

Judith Berson Jessica Bezzi Lisandra Bigler Deborah Binder Christopher Bishop Jason Blackburn Edward Blackshaw Jennifer Blakely Christian Blanco Adam Bluth Mary Blythe B. J. Bolduc Robert Bond Joyce Bort Elizabeth Bouras Cathy Boyter Jimmie Brad Jessica Brainard Bruce Bregman Sarah Brest Francisca Briden Savannah Bright Christie Brinson Samantha Britton Charles Brock Elizabeth BroderickZendrian Nathan Broshear Constance Brown Joshua Brown Kimberly Brown Mason Bru Virginia Bryan

Autumn Burtnett Rebecca Butler Peter Calandrino Teresa Campbell Oscar Campos Ellis Canady Phillip Canterbury Steven A. Capel Louise Carlisle Daniel Carmichael Ronald Caron Christy Carosella Dustin Carpenter Elisabeth Carpenter Donald Carrawell John Carrell Kathleen Carson Brian Carter Christopher Casillas J Casquico J.G. Casquico Gary Catania Bobbi Ceo Carol Channel Gayle Channell Victoria Chaves R Chavez Michael Chaylovsky Michael Clapp Bryan Clark Cynthia Clark Mary Clarke Jennifer Clavell

Ann Bryant Heather Buck Henry T. Buckley Linda Buckley Darla D. Burchert Cheryl Burgos Elizabeth Burke Robin Burngasser Anseica Burns Dylan Burns Robert Burns

Sandra Clayton Suzanne Clement J. Clester Julie Cline Rachel Coggins Michael Colandria Jimmy Cole Staci Cole Natasha Coleman Rafford Coleman Ashley Conner

Candace Cook Dana Cook Kristy Cook Angela Cooney Virginia Coons Linda Copeland Joshua Cordeira Wendy Cortes Wendy Cortes Joseph Costello Ross Cottrell Gabriel Couch Rene Coughenour Joyce Courtnery Richard G Covelli Laurel Covington Barbara Crane Katherine Crowe Antony Cruz Derek Cruz Stephanie Csornok Josh Cummings Roger Iii Cumpian Victor Cunningham Michelle Curtis Tara Curtis Valerie Curtis Brandon Czerwinski Betty Dahlem Linda Daltlstrom Christopher Dambrosia Antonio Damon

Marie Damour Natasha Danchak Michael Daniello Tina Darling Amber Davis Barbara Davis Kathleen Davis Kristen Davis Mark Davis Vickie Davis

George Daw Richard Day Samantha Dean James Demetriades Brian Dent Denise Deshazo Jermy Desmarceis David Desomer Pierre Desrosiers Lorraine Detaeye Yvonne Dettlaff Shannon Dewees Christy Dickey Jennifer Didonato Terri Diehl Joshua Dillon Miranda Dimick Phillia Dolliff Kind Donor Deborah Dorsoy Kassandra Dotson Kevin Downs Gregory Drake Victoria Drefs Rita Dula Jennifer Dunaway Jennifer Dunn Kathleen DunningTorbett Tanya Dutill Matthew Dylla Sandra Eddings Elizabeth Eggert Paul Eggert Avbrey Egolf David Ellis Nicholas Elston Kirsi Enckell Scott Endicott Elaine M. Erickson David Eslick Carl Eurenius Catherine Fahrig Karen Fairhurst Jane Farabaugh Steven Farbman Daniel Fargason Anne Farson Barbara Farwell Randy Faught-Helm Tymothie Faulkner Danielle Feltan Sandra Fergueson Jennifer Fernandez Cynthia Ferre Susan Fialkowski Charlie Fields

Troy Fields Daniel Fillmon Paul Finney Katherine L Fisher Megan Flaherty Bonnie Flanagan Marilyn Fleck Raymond Fogliano Matthew Foley David Fonner Kathryn Forte Lindy Fortenberry Kate Fortkamp William Foster Alvin Fougere Sara Fowler-Mcwilliams Barbara Freeby Richard Fruge R. Christopher Fudurich Meredith C. Fuentes Nichol Fuentes Amanda Fuller Cathy Gabel Cary B. Galbreath David Galik Enid Galliers Kevin Gallo Laura Gamble Ricardo Gaonh Robert Garcia Kay Gardiner Doreen Gardner Wyvonna Garman Anthony Garza Marc Garza Robert Gasparotto Avery Gaston Patrick Gearhiser Karen Geisler Nancy Gentry Russell Gentry John Gerhauser Caren Gibbs Deborah Gibbs Deandra Gibson Deborah Gifoli Heather Gilbert Donna Gill Janet Ginepro Morgan Gist Mike Gladis Tracey Glass Amanda Gleason Margarita Goldsmith Stephanie Gordon Nicolaus Graeber Susan Gray Joseph Green Stephen Green Susan Greenberg Mark Greene Ronald Greene William Greene Aaron Greeninger Bret Gregg Matthew Gregg Laurie Grier Michelle Griesse John Griffin

Sturgis Griffin, III Jennifer Griffith Alisha Groff Rick M. Grose Diane Gross Elaine M. Guenther Patricia Gumz Deborah Gunnlaugsson Jerauld Gunzelman Michael Gurwitz Catherin Guzik Lori Haddad Vicki Haddad Jason Hakes Catherine Haley Cathy Hall David Hamel Jessica Hampton Hollis Hansen Virginia Hansen Breann Hanson Chester Harris Larry Harris Laurie Harry Craig Hart Deborah Haskell Jeffrey Hasler

Matthew Hoel Sarah Hoffman Jashmine Hogan Katheryn Hoke Rae Holdman Jason Holland Sarah Holley Tamera S. Holmes Melissa Holuszko Miller Honeycutt Gabriel Hons-Olivier Jennifer Hood Roberta Hoover Faye Horladner Leslie Horwat David Houk David House Jonathan House Victoria House Dylan Howell Lisa Hrena Holly Hubbell Nate Hudson Michelle T. Hue Cheryl Huelker Christina Huff Morgan Hundley Cody Hunsaker

Brenda Johnston Jacklyn Jonas Kenneth B. Jones Michael Jones Shawn Jones Gregg M. Jorissen Kim Kalusa Karla Kaminski Dean Kauffman James Kavanach Sandra Kavanaugh Robert S. Keehn James Kelley Roseanna Kelly Joshua Kemp Jennifer Kennedy Michael Kennison Kaitlin Kenny Sandra Kerr Fariborz Khadem Adam Kidd Nathaniel Kilgore Karen King Mary Kinzler Nancy Kirchner Jeanne L. Kittle Malcolm Klein Brandi Kleinschmidt

John Havecker Ryan Hawkins Kenneth Hayes Lynda Hayes Jessica Haymann John Haymann Arron Head Deborah Head Rebecca Heady Samantha Helms Jeanne Hendrie Edward Henkle Jacqueline Herbert Garry Herman Tracy Herrin Andrew Herrmann Melissa Hey Lisbeth Heywood John Hicks Rhonda Hicks Linda Hiebert Kathleen Higgins Douglas Hilleboe Christi Hilton Christopher Hitchcock Christopher Hitchcock Mary Hitt Monica Hitt

Geoffrey Hunter Angela Huss Ekko Huss Hope Ibanna Sarah Igoe Michael M Inman Allen Iommi Hanna Jackson Jenny Jackson Jeremiah Jackson Ronald Jacobi Elizabeth Jacobs Amanda JamesGreene Janis Jarvis Jeff Jarvis Judith Jennings Judy Jennings Theressa Jenson James Jett Elizabeth Johns Adrian Johnson Eileen Johnson Erin Johnson Mitchell Johnson Neistasha Johnson Stephen Johnson Barbara Johnston

Brandon Kleve Ray Klimcsak Nicholos Klotz Carleen Klumpp Kasmira Kolden Kathy Kopp Lynne Korelitz Adam Kotschi Laura Kovalik Melanie Kowalksi Derek Kress Bryan Kulano Marsha Kushmer Marshall L. Kushmer Kara Kyle William Kyle Brandon Lahmala Carmen Lamneck Bart Lankard Angela Larson David Larson Judith Larson Donna Lasky Laura Latham Tommy Lathum Michael Latouche Marrie Lauth Jonathan Leab

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Nathaniel Leal Mary Leary John Leben Elizabeth Lee George Lee Katherine Lee Lanita Lee Michelle Leighton Kenneth Lejkowski Luann Leonardi Michelle LeonardScott Lorenz Leopold Kenneth F. Leskaski Brenda Levy Mary Lewallen Casey Lewis John Liberto Vosbugh Linda Brendan Lindsay Edward Link Alan Linsangan Kacie Lippincott Jack Liu Meagan Lobdell Mary Lodato Joseph Lombardo Jennifer Lopez Jessica Lopez Zazy Lopez Dean Love Lohn Lowe Javier Lozoya Mary K. Ludato Carlos Lugo-Fontanez Debra Luker Majorie Lulay James Lyon Angelica Mabini Adoleo Maccragh Dianne Macdonald Pearl Macgregor Carla Mack Katrina Mahoney Brandy Manders Richard J. Jr. Manning Cristobal Manzano Marco Marcellus Joseph Marchesmi Kimberly Marcin Karen Marcotte Monica Marks Joseph Marmon Stephen Marrinar Amanda Marron Susan Marston Dawn Martin

Joyce R. Martin Meagan Martin Winter Martinez Jasonandapril Martos Scott Martz Judith Massung Sasha Mateer Patricia Mathews David Mathewson Kath Maupin Shirley Maxwell Alexandria Mc Closky Michael Mc Donnell Jonathan Mc Guire Max Mc Intyre Jessica Mc Kenzie Jonathan Mccarty Amy Mccguinness Tom Mccready Cherice Mcdaniel Michael Mcdonnell Michael Mcelroy Michael P. Mcelroy Crystal Mcgaha Gail Mcginn Shannon Mcgray Shannon T. Mcgray Coral Mcgue Samuel Mckenzie Charles Mcknight Sierra B Mclanahan Scott Mclaughlin Karen Mclean Sean Mcmanus Damian Mcneal Linda Mcwhorter Shawn Mellenberger Miranda Melton Canna Mercer Collette Merenda Daryle Merlock Albert Merrifield Brend Merson Erin Mettee Jan Meyer Scott Meyer Linda Michael Melissa Michalik Jessica MichelRamirez Andrew Miedh Heather Miller Janelle Miller Melissa Miller Robert Miller Stephen Miller Wendy Miller

Cheryl Milliner Rosemary E. Mills James Mink Antonio Miranda Marie Mitch Rick Mitchell Sandra Mitchell Tonya Mitchell Kari Monks Laura Monteith Madelyn Moorman Christina Moos Charlelne Morales Jacquelin Morales Wendy Morasse Jon Morgan Vicki Morris Jenny Moses Teresita Motola Karen Moyer Nicole Muenchow Kimberly Mullins Joshua Myers Ann Nagengast Alan Natividad Douglas Nefferdorf Robert Nelson Alina Ness Krisotpher Netzel Julia Neuweiler Amy Newman John Newman Tammy Newman Charles Nichols Daniel Nichols Denise Nichols Joshua Nicholson Bruce Niedt Joel Nielsen Philip Nielsen Erika Nieves Brittany Nimmo Susan Nitseh Ryan Nixon Carol Nizzardini Stephanie Nokes Nova Noon Ashley Norman Ashley Norris Elizabeth North Christine Oberholtzer Mark Obiedzinski Helen O'Brien-Briggs Theresa Ogden Jon Ohman Benjamin Ontilo Stephan Opalka

Mindy Opheikens Thomas Osterdock Chris Osterode Christine Ostopoff Maria O'Sullivan Nancy Overdahl Mary Owens Cynthia OwensManns Linda Pacini Heather Palmer Kareena Palmer Kevin Palmgreen James W Parent Thhomas Park Adam Parker Kyle Paschen Jillian Pass Ilselore Passalacqua Christine Pasun Gary Patishnock Evan Paul Laura Pawuk Elizabeth Peake Nicholas Pearson Daisy Perez-Wills Joshua Perham Deidre Peterman Donna Peterson Nancy Peterson Bryan Petit Kelly Pettit Chrestie Pfantz Deborah Piagentini Lisa Wallen Picard Carole Pilgrim Nilsa Pillot Jeffrey Pinger Johnel Pipkin Celeste Plaisance Megan Pleasant Paul Plunket Nancy Ponder Angel Poole Brandon W Poss Brenda Post Charlene Potter Heather PowerAnderson Lacey Pritchard Myranda Privett Penelope Prochazka Caren Proctor Virginia Puddister Ryan Pugh Joseph Quinlan Gurardo Quintana Cindy Ramirez Gloria Ramirez Alice C. Ramondi Daniel Rand Kayla M. Rando Amy Raphael Maile Rasco Arthur Emily Rasmussen Peter Rath Kalvin Ratsch Christy Raw Randi Reetz Corey Reider Troy Ressel

John Rich Michelle Richards Matthew Richardson Raymond Richardson Stephen Rittermann Jessica Rivera Christine Roberts Keith Roberts

Susan N Schreck Sonja Schultz Angela Sciyre Benjamin Scott Christopher Seale Lauren Seigler Brenita Selement Michael Serenelli

Adam Sterner Brittany Stewart Anita N. Stivers Peter Stokely Shannon Stoneking Thomas Stratton Alicia Strauss Gail Stroble

Shey Roberts Trista Robertson David Robles Terri Robson Suzanne Roden Randy Rodrigue Angieica Rodriguez Emelene Rodriguez Tabbitha Rogers Rachael Rohrbach Rhandee Rohrback Nada Romero William Root Andrew Rose Kelly Roth Rodney Rounke Karl Roush Michael Rousseau Heidi Rowland Ernest Ruest Mary Ruhl Aaron Ruhland Andrew Rumsby James Rust Nathaniel Ryan Susan Sabot Sean Sadler Jamie L. Saives Jessica Salyers Kyle Sample Kelly Sanborn James Sandefur Richard Sandelli Brandon Sanders Scott Sanne Marin Santana Vijay Sarathy Rafael Saritson Robert Sausville Angela Sayre Rachel Schaeffer Joseph M. Schafer Ann Schatzer Ralph Schiller Becky Schlosser Anthony Schmidt Patricia Schneider Patricia Schoenfeld Lisa Schott

Lynette Sessler Mario Sesti Dusty Sexton Cheryl Seymour Rafael Shamilow Amanda Shaw Michael D Shay Jacqueline Shedd Hilary Sheppard Mildred Shockley Charles Shoemaker E Sholkoff Christina Short Sandra Shufelt Kim Sikoryak Holly Silkman Jamin Silva James Simpson Vickie Simpson Paul Sims Barbara Sinderman Harold Singleton Karen Sinkey Maria Sirbu Katherine Sire Rachel Skoda Melanie Slawl Blake Small Norma Smihal Dustin Smith Edward Smith Jacie Smith Jennifer Smith Kristin Smith Michael Smith Chad Sorbin Luke Spataro Julie E. Spencer Thomas Spencer Julie E. B. Spencerf Jessica Spidal Laura Sprankle Elizabeth St John Patricia St. John Joe St. Martin Sean Stamm Janice Stein Carolyn K. Stephs Jerald Stern

Deborah Strodtman Donna Stromecki Jackie Sukup Jackie Sukye Matthew Sun Anna Sutton Patrice Svetaka James Swanson Ryan Sweet Greg Swensrud John Sze Eugene Tabita Christopher Taylor David Taylor Debra Taylor Jennifer Taylor Tammy Taylor Barry Tayor Terrance Tennant Judith Terry Judith Terry Kristi Terwilliger Shawn Tharp

George Thomas Richard Thomas Robert Thomas Rebecca Thompson Jessica Threlfall Robert Throgmorton Lynn Toopolski Arturo Torres Ed S. Torres Jonathan Totaro Daniel Toves Craig Treadway Aubrey Trejo Amanda Tripple Leonard Trotter Amanda Truitt Jared Tucker Chelsea Tugaw Kathie Turnbull Dee Turner Jennifer Turssell Howard Tuttle Mary Tuzman Eric Ugre Olan Underwood Rich Underwood Richard Underwood Dawn Unglesbee Alisa Uzoaru Tracy Valdez Suzanne Valentine Jeff Van Dorp Alex Vandereis Wendy Varhegyi Sherri Vegas Vincent Ventimiglia Susan Wadyka Beatrice Waggen Roberta Wagner Shelly Wall Thomas Wallett Andrea Walsh Daryl Walsh Sandra Walters Cynthia Warr

Willis Warren James Wasilko Jesse Weakley Jo Weddendorf Eva Weems Lauren Weigand Jane Weinstein Benjamin Wellens Carl Wescott Allison Westphall Carey Wheeler Brian White Keith White Naomi Whitfield Jane Whitmore Daniel Whitten Lynn Whittern Norman Wick Sheila Wiersma Gilbert Wilcox John Wilcox Robin Williamson Vaughn Williamson Jill Wilson Jocelyn Winslow Jyles Wirta Ricky Wolph Davina Wong Sarah Woods Sara Woodworth Matthew Woosley Debra Wright Judith Wright Kathy Wright Robert Wright Patricia Wyatt Susan Wynn Ann Zaharis Joan Zaleski Deborah Zarzyczny Frances Zumpano

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

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 finance@bigcatrescue.org so we can watch for your name in the final report and investigate if it does not appear. Thanks!

The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue 7

The Big Cat Trading Post - SHOPPING GUIDE

Gifts 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

wild gifts

wild gifts

wild gifts

wild gifts

wild gifts

wild gifts

wild gifts

Photo Magnets and Key Rings Choose Any Species at BCR Magnet $5.68 or Key Ring $5.21 BCR Ribbon $8.35 Bumper Sticker $5.21 BCR Patch $5.28 BCR Sticker $4.21 BCR Pin $5.28

Metal Magnets Choose Tiger, Cougar, Lioness, Lion, Snow Leopard, Black Leopard, Ocelot, Serval, or Bobcat $5.14

NEW ITEM NEW ITEM

BCR Carabiners gold, black, or blue $6.21 Leopard Print Wine Sack $5.68 BCR Laser Engraved Wooden Wine Cork $7.42

Plush Flip Cell Phone Cover, Choose Lion or Tiger $10.56

Vehicle Vanity Plates Choose Snow Leopard, Tiger Smile, Tiger, Leopard, Lion or Snow Leopard $11.56 Mini Sticker Books, Choose Big Cats or Tigers $4.28 Grassroots Beaded Figurines & Key Rings 3.5” Lion or Tiger $20.12 9” Lion $24.40 12” Lion $50.00 Key Rings - Rainbow or Natural Lion $8.42

NEW ITEM

Big Cat TV, 6 Podcasts per Disc, Choose Vol 1, 2, or 3 $7.35 each

toys & GAMES

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

toys & GAMES

Golf Club Cover $25.47 BCR Golf Ball $6.28

toys & GAMES

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

toys & GAMES

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

Themed Monopoly Board Games Choose Animalopoly, Earthopoly, or Catopoly $28.54

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

NEW ITEM

NEW ITEM

Travel Around The World 10” travel case with world map, stickers, choose tiger or lion flopsie $17.98

Tubby Wubby the Lion 12” Plush Toy $13.70

NEW ITEM

NEW ITEM As You Flip the Pages You Will Get a 3 Dimensional Look Inside a Bengal Tiger $21.80

Encyclopedia Sticker Book Over 600 Stickers $19.60

Ultimate Domestic Cat Sticker Book $12.63

Soft & Cuddly 20” Snow Leopard Plush $25.00

5” Diecast Metal Animal Explorer Truck $17.98

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

8 The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue

clothing & accessories clothing & accessories Lavender BCR NEW ITEM NEW ITEM Haunting Eyes Tee, Rhinestone Ladies Tee S, M, L, XL $24.40 XXL $25.40

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

White and Navy Junior Tee S, M, L, XL $19.05

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

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

Moisture Wicking Logo Tee Cats of BCR Image on Back, Choose: Khan & China, Lynx, Cougars, Leopards, Cam & Zabu, or The Small Cats S, M, & L $35.10

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

NEW ITEM

Tan BCR Rhinestone Fitted Junior Tee, Lettuce Edging S, M, L, XL $24.40

clothing & accessories

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

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

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

Visor, Logo, Adjustable, Khaki $15.84 Adjustable Cap, Navy $24.40 Flex-Fit Cap, Olive or Pink $24.40 Baseball Cap, Logo, Black $17.98

Power Nap Lion Infant Tee Red Big Cat Rescue on Front 6 mo., 12 mo., 18 mo. $13.77

NEW ITEM

NEW ITEM

BACK

NEW ITEM Jinja Jewelry Asst Colors Fair Trade Paper Bead Jewelry Made In Africa Bracelet $17.05 Necklace $38.45

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

FRONT

L is for Lion Toddler Tee Blue 2T, 3T, 4T $13.77 Big Cat Rescue on Front

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

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

NEW ITEM

BCR Logo Waist Bag Green $16.98

BCR Logo Dog Bandana Choose Blue, Black, or Maroon $6.28

Gray Cinch Tote with Embroidered BCR Logo in Blue $29.75

NEW ITEM

Brown Bengal Tiger Kids Tee Big Cat Rescue on Front XS, S, M & L $15.91

Tan African Lion Kids Tee Big Cat Rescue on Front XS, S, M & L $15.91

Mother & Cubs Kids Tee, Purple Tie Dye w/ Logo on Back S, M, L & XL $16.91

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

Shorty Socks Choose Leopard or Tiger Medium $9.49

Cooling Neck Bandoo Leopard or Kitty Cat $6.90

The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue 9

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

If you would like to continue to receive the Big Cat Times by regular mail, please either email us at:

The Big Cat Times ORDER FORM Description

Qty.

Size

Fall 2009

Price Each

Total

Kids Tour Big Cat Rescue offers regularly scheduled, guided, kids tours. This is a complete guided tour where children of all ages, and their parents can get upclose 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

BigCatTimes@BigCatRescue.org

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.

Children must be accompanied by adult guardian.

Day Tours Monday - Friday 9 AM & at 3 PM, 1.5 hrs

Date: ____________________________ Billing Address

Saturday 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, & 1:30 PM, 1.5 hrs

Guided tour of the sanctuary. Admission is $25.00 per person. Reservations are not required. No children under 10 years of age.

Name

____________________________________

Address

____________________________________

St

Zip

____________________________________

Day Time Phone

PAVE THE WAY DONOR BRICK * ROLEX WATCH RAFFLE TICKETS

____________________________________

Evening Phone

____________________________________

Email

2009 FUR BALL TICKETS

$150.00

SPONSOR 1 FOOT OF PERIMETER WALL *

$100.00

KISS ALL 11 BIG CATS - 11 8x10 PHOTOS *

KISS CAMERON THE LION 8x10 PHOTO* Recipient Address (if different than Billing) NOTE: Fill out blue shaded box at bottom of form

____________________________________

Name

$110.00 $10.00

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 $

____________________________________

Address

Yes, I would priority shipping for an additional charge of $3.00 $ Yes, I would like a receipt for tax purposes

____________________________________

City

St

Zip

____________________________________

Day Time Phone

Grand Total $

Method of Payment Check Visa Card Number

Money Order MasterCard

American Express

Discover

____________________________________

Evening Phone

____________________________________

Email

Exp. Date MMYY Signature_____________________________________________________

This is a gift, please make card to: _________________________ from: _______________________ Brief message to say: _________________________________________________________________ Automatic Giving Program - join the sustaining donor society

Special Comment, Request, or Question:

Big 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 finance@bigcatrescue.org, 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 CH11409. 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.

Feeding Tour Friday 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 Tour This 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 Tour Night 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.

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

________________________________________________

10 The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue

Nico the Geoffroy Cat

____________________________________

City

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

big cat RESCUE SUPPORTERS Charles Rutenberg David Brooks $120 Realty Inc $4,250 Kathleen Slaven $120 Bronsen Bloom $1,800 Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists $112 Merchants Association Kerry Beth Gilbert $105 of Florida, Inc $1,500 A. Kevin Stoppello $100 Karen & William Beynon $1,100 Amanda Seissian $100 Aston Martin Jaguar of Tampa Anik Brincherhoff $100 $1,075 Anna Gabrielli $100 Saab of Tampa $1,015 Antoinette Siegrist $100 Betsy Coville, DVM $1,000 Bob Bayley $100 R. & S. Cochran $1,000 Brandon Marohn $100 Pamela Olson Koonts $770 Cara Chapkovich $100 Nicki Lyford $600 Carol Chufo $100 Power Shack, Inc. $600 Jeff, Stephanie & Ann Newsom $500 Connor Joyner $100 Carol & Lou Wurmnest $500 Christopher Allesee $100 Claire Mooers $500 Citra Stearn $100 D. Fisk $500 Craig Borden $100 Daphne Butters $500 Daisy Jones $100 Home Depot $500 Danielle Price $100 Jay & Lianne Gumbrecht $500 Dara Lynn $100 Lawrence Trissel $500 Darryl Olenchalk $100 New York Life Foundation $500 David Myers $100 Shirleyann Haveson $500 David Poe $100 Sue L. Roux $500 David Schecter $100 Mr. & Mrs. Leonards $400 Diane Bernier $100 Mr. & Mrs. Kirk $350 Diane Gilbertson $100 American International School of Diane Hendrickson $100 Guangzhou $315 Doris Schlichter $100 Kimberly Sarratea $300 Fontina Grijalva $100 Patricia Wojtowicz $300 Frank Chadwell $100 Harbour Island Athletic Club $261 Frieda Bachowski $100 Andrew & Paula Lauderbaugh $250 Mr. & Mrs. Geiger $100 Beckie Tomlyn-Litten $250 Gretchen Gallagher $100 Beth Maberry $250 Greyson Downes $100 Donald Bower $250 Heather Rorer & Jeffrey Wheeler $100 Jo Ann Dean $250 James Petty $100 Joe Reina $250 Jo Anne Borek $100 Meghann Shaughnessy $250 Joan Massie $100 Milton Kale $250 Joe Martini & Jaime Gross $100 Ron Forbes $250 Judith & Richard Klusza $100 Anthony Urso III $200 Judy Van Orman $100 Apartment Guide $200 June Allen $100 Kasey Sudbury $200 Karen Tate $100 Kristen Wilhelm $200 Kate & Ralph DeMarco $100 Larry Moore $200 Kathlyn Schrage $100 Mary Bearup $200 Kathryn Greene $100 Michael Broad $200 Kathryn Sapankevlich $100 Nanak’s Landscaping $200 Koren Mateo $100 Sharon Abrams $200 Kristen Gustafson $100 Steve & Bailey Desrochers $200 Kristen McLellan $100 W Welch $200 Marlyn G Leasing Inc $100 William Evans $200 Mary Czarnik $100 Bonnie Grisillo $175 Mary Soltis $100 Kristi Terwilliger $175 Maxwell Fogleman $100 Westchase Elementary $169 Patricia Titus $100 Emma Petoia $160 Rae Ellen James $100 House of Floors $160 Renee Garcia $100 Christina Farah $150 Rita Bryan $100 J&K Lawrence $150 Robert Hardway $100 Linda Denning $150 Roseann Beckman $100 Marianne Martin $150 Spencer Bard $100 Michael Neblock $150 Steven Harrison $100 Rhonda Balsamello $150 Susan Williams $100 Robert Mitchell $150 Terry Parton $100 Sheila Morgan $150 Thomas & Barbara Linton $100 Zorica Stojanovic $125 Trudy Maslin $100 Jane Deluca $125 Walter Silverson $100 Paul Balle $125 William Ketz $100

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR IS A RESCUER

PAVE THE WAY

Big 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.

Plans 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.

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.

The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue 11

LION PANTHERA LEO Common Name: Lion Kingdom: 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.

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 10/1/2000 What 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 moment and they are now very happy and very popular residents.

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 Check this out! This month’s Kiss a Cat is Cameron first. and for a $10 donation you can get this beautiful 8x10 Principal Threats: Lions are generally

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.

12 The Big Cat Times - FALL 2009 - www.BigCatRescue.org - 813.920.4130 - Follow us at http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue