Interview by: ANICIA BRAGG “LIVING LARGE WITH ANICIA” (p

from Trend Prive Magazine - No.23

by realcatalinamagee

The True Art of Sweet / The Confections of Elena Krasnova by Andrea Bell (p

lions, tiGers & Bears eXotic animal rescue

By: anicia BraGG “livinG larGe WitH anicia”

https://lionstigersandbears.org/about/mission/

accredited

ANICIA: How can people view your introduction film to see what is really happening to wild animals in the United States?

BOBBI: A friend created the video used in our Educational Visit and is not currently available to the public. We need to produce our own video relaying the truth about the exotic animal trade that we can share with the public. Education is so important to ending the exotic animal trade once and for all.

ANICIA: You have lions, tigers and bears in your facility. Why those and are you open to others?

BOBBI: While our name says a lot, it doesn’t say it all. Unfortunately, we didn’t have room to add all the other animals we rescue such as bobcats, leopards, mountain lions, goats, horses, pigs, llamas and much more. Our Ranch is dedicated to the care and protection of all animals that have been neglected or abused.

Saving the lives of exotic animals, Lions Tigers & Bears is a federally and state licensed non-profit rescue facility dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused Big Cats and other exotic animals. They are one of the very few accredited Big Cat Sanctuaries in the US.

Their Moto is a NO KILL, NO BREED, NO SELL rescue an educational facility that allow the animals in their care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. Did you know, that in many areas of the United States, there are countless unwanted, abused, and abandoned Big Cats in captivity? In fact, the number of animals bred and born in captivity is greater than that in the wild. In most cases, cats born in captivity must endure horrific neglect and abuse due to the immense responsibility in their upkeep.

In many states Big Cats, most commonly lions, tigers, cougars and bobcats, are acquired by roadside zoos and then eventually become surplus animals for the entertainment industry. Most are purchased as pets when they are young, or sold and bred for profit.

Sadly the exotic animal trade is a 17 billion dollar a year industry, it is an industry so large it is second only to illegal arms and drugs.

Lions Tigers & Bears primary concern is the health and comfort of their animals and the safety of those who share these precious natural resources. They work hard to protect and provide these animals with a lifetime home, realizing that environment, exercise, and personal attention are key to their well-being.

Whether you’re a local San Diegan or beloved supporter from a far, you can stay at the White Oak Wild Nights Retreat on property and have your very own private jungle experience with the family. Oak’s two-bedroom mountain retreat is nestled right in the heart of Lions, Tigers & Bears’ sanctuary. Enjoy a getaway like no other with the sights and sounds of the majestic animals. Vist www.whiteoakwildnights.com for more info.

Meet Bobbi Brink, the founder and of this facility and learn more about this terrific private accredited sanctuary in our exclusive interview.

ANICIA: At one point you never allowed visitors to your facility. Why did that change?

BOBBI: We’ve always had visitors, but back in the day it was on a one-on-one basis by appointment. Then we increased to once a month, then to two days a week, then three days a week and now we are up to four days a week for visits. We have never been open to the public, and still are not open to the public, because we are a membership based organization. All visits are by appointment only at the scheduled times. We try to keep it as peaceful for the animals as we can. Unlike a zoo where the animals are not left alone and exposed to crowds all day every day, our visits occur Wednesday through Saturday once per day for two hours.

BOBBI: Accredited sanctuaries do not buy, sell, breed or trade their animals. They do not allow direct contact and they do not offer exploitative opportunities, such as cub petting. The sole purpose of a sanctuary is to provide a lifetime home to the animals in their care. There are two accrediting organizations in the United States, the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and the American Sanctuary Association (ASA). These two organizations set the standards of care from diet, to housing, fencing and caging sizes. GFAS and ASA also ensure that any organization applying for accreditation has the proper finances available to care for the animals, strict safety policies and emergency plans in place as well as a contingency plan for the animals in the event that something happens to the sanctuary owner. This ensures the animals physical and psychological needs are met and the animals are able to thrive.

There are phony sanctuaries and phony accrediting bodies. If a facility calls themselves a “sanctuary” but buys, sells, breeds or trades- then they are not a sanctuary. It is so important to support true accredited sanctuaries, if you are looking to support an organization.

ANICIA: What are the top three rules by the federal government you have to follow to be in business?

BOBBI: The only federal authority we fall under is the USDA. Under USDA regulations an individual or business in possession of an animal such as a lion, tiger or bear must fall under one of three categories: Class A(research), Class B(breeder) or Class C(exhibit). Since we do not breed, and we are not a research facility, we are a Class C facility, meaning exhibit the animals as an educational facility. Believe it or not, if we did not have visitors to the sanctuary, we would not be held under any federal guidelines whatsoever (this is where the Big Cat and Public Safety Protection Act comes into play).

For state jurisdiction we must obtain a permit from California Fish & Wildlife Agency. California is stricter than most states in the United States when it comes

to owning animals such as lions, tigers and bears- we must hold a permit to possess these animals which includes passing an inspection and providing proof of experience working with the particular species.

ANICIA: How do your animals come to you? By referral or, do you actively seek out animals to rescue?

BOBBI: The sad truth is, we don’t have to look very far for animals that are in desperate need of rescue. We get countless calls each month from concerned citizens and private owners looking for help. In many cases authorities and first responders will call us because they are not trained with exotics. The current need for reputable lifetime homes for exotic animals is unprecedented. That is why it is so important to

ANICIA: You are most certainly in this for your heart but it is a business. What are the top business skills that are a must to do this? IS there an

education your recommend for anyone wanting to set up this type of a facility?

BOBBI: Skills: Passionate, driven, strong, being a hard-worker. “A degree in business and a strong firsthand experience with animals.”

ANICIA: There is a lot of money needed to start and expand. Realistically, can you give us a ball park figure of what it cost to start and continue for a 10 year period?

BOBBI: Property costs, Initial set-up costs, 10 year operating costs- $1 million a year.

ANICIA: What is the plan should anything happen to you to make sure the facility is able to continue?achieve, in your opinion?

BOBBI: A contingency plan is in place incase anything happens to me (life insurance policy). A contingency plan is a must, as lack of a contingency plan is how LTB ended up with most of its rescued animals. Owners get these animals and don’t take into account the unexpected, from divorce, death or terminal illness, and then it is the animal that ends up paying the price.

ANICIA: How important is it to have political support for your projects?

BOBBI: We have a very good relationship with our local County officials, as well as with CA Fish and Wildlife Department and Department of Customs and Border Protection. Our local Senator is also very supportive of the work we do saving animal’s lives. Getting our local and regional Congressmen and women on board to help support legislation is important to making headway in the overall exotic animal industry in this county…..(Permitting)

ANICIA: What legislations are you actively involved in trying to make a difference. Where can the average person help?

BOBBI: The Big Cat and Public Safety Protection Act (HR 1998/ S 1381) is a federal bill that was sent to a Congressional Committee on July 29, 2014. Thus far there have been 114 co-signers on the bill. Passing this bill would mean that captive big cats - lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, etc- do not threaten public safety, diminish global conservation efforts, or end up living in deplorable conditions.

The average person is exactly how this important piece of legislation has a chance of being passed. People should write to their Senators and Representatives urging them to co-sign this bill and also share with family and friends to do the same.

Another piece of legislation I’ve been actively engaged with is Ohio SB 310. Ohio SB 310 is a bill that was passed by the Ohio Senate and went into full effect on January 1, 2014. This bill enacted laws regulating the private ownership of exotic animals within the state of Ohio. Persons in possession of inherently dangerous wild animals, including lions, tigers and bears, are required to obtain a permit from the state, secure insurance, microchip their animals, spay/neuter animals and meet specific caging standards.

MUST-READ

ANICIA: The statistics of 5000 tigers held in the United States by private owners is unbelievable? Why is that happening and why would any normal, rational person want to own a tiger? Are there states that are the biggest contributors of this? How do we change the law and the fate of the tigers are not good?

BOBBI: 5,000 tigers in the U.S. is an unbelievable statistic and truth be told, the actual number of tigers is probably more than this. Why is this happening? People think these animals are cute and cuddly, and then they grow up to be 500 pound apex predators that are out of control. People don’t have the resources and capability to provide proper care for these animals. People are lulled into thinking they will be the one to domesticate the animal, but this is rarely the case. Just as a hoarder doesn’t realize or understand that they are hurting themselves or others, countless people falsely believe that what they are doing to the animals is right. They don’t understand that keeping a tiger in a 6” X 6” foot cage, on concrete, in direct sunlight with barely any room to walk or turnaround is wrong and cruel.

The other spectrum of the issue is the animal’s being used for mere profit. The exotic animal trade and using cubs as photo opportunities is an extremely lucrative business. Animals are made into breeding machines, the cubs are ripped away from their mother a day or two after being born and put on display where people pay anywhere from $20+ dollars to take a photo with the cubs. When the cubs get too old to handle they are just dumped and forgotten about. One cub can easily generate over $1,000 in profit in just one day! 5 states that currently have no laws are (Nevada, Alabama, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina) 17 states require permits (Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Maine, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island) . 28 states banned.

Education and advocacy are the driving force of change. The more people are educated and aware of the problem, the better chance of getting laws passed. Write to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to co-sign the Big Cat and Public Safety Protection Act. Educate your family and friends, and let them know that they shouldn’t support non-accredited sanctuaries, roadside zoos, or cub petting opportunities. Don’t support animals in entertainment.

Top five most dangerous ingredients in cosmetics: Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, Toluene Parabens , Phthalates Triclosan

Did you know that everyday chemical exposure is among the leading causes of the most common cases of chronic disease in America?

U.S. researchers have found that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care products are hazardous industrial chemicals. This means that 10,500 industrial chemicals are used as cosmetic ingredients, many of which are carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts) and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). And these go on our skin and into the environment.

Dimethicone: helps protect the skin and gives a soft, velvety feel. MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). LOW concerns: Data gaps, Ecotoxicology. About DIMETHICONE: Dimethicone (also called polymethylsiloxane) is a silicon-based polymer used as a lubricant and conditioning agent.

Function(s): Antifoaming Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Occlusive; Skin Protectant; EMOLLIENT; SKIN CONDITIONING; SKIN PROTECTING Synonym(s): DIMETHICONE COPOLYOL; DIMETHYL SILICONE; HIGHLY POLYMERIZED METHYL POLYSILOXANE; METHYL POLYSILOXANE; SILICONE L-45; DC 1664; DIMETHICONE 350; DIMETICONE; DOW CORNING 1664; MIRASIL DM 20; VISCASIL 5M. Coal Tar - a thick black liquid produced by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal. It contains benzene, naphthalene, phenols, aniline, and many other organic chemicals. DEA/TEA/MEA - Ethanolamines are ammonia compounds used in cosmetics as emulsifiers or foaming agents. You’ll see these listed on the ingredient label as “MEA, DEA, & TEA,” abbreviations for monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine.

Ethoxylated surfactants and 1,4-dioxane - One byproduct of ethoxylation is 1,4-dioxane, which is a known carcinogen. Undiluted AEs can cause dermal or eye irritation. In aqueous solution, the level of irritation is dependent on the concentration. AEs are considered to have low to moderate toxicity for acute oral exposure, low acute dermal toxicity, and have mild irritation potential for skin and eyes at concentrations found in consumer products.

Formaldehyde - is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a strong odor. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause adverse health effects. Fragrance/Parfum - A catchall for hidden chemicals, such as phthalates.

Fragrance is connected to headaches, dizziness, asthma, and allergies. Hydroquinone - Used for lightening skin. Banned in the UK, rated most toxic on the EWG’s Skin Deep database, and linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity. Lead - Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb and atomic number 82. It is a soft, malleable and heavy post-transition metal. Known carcinogen found in lipstick and hair dye, but never listed because it’s a contaminant, not an ingredient. Mercury - Known allergen that impairs brain development. Found in mascara and some eyedrops. Mineral oil - a distillation product of petroleum, especially one used as a lubricant, moisturizer, or laxative. Oxybenzone - Active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cellular damage, low birth weight. Parabens - Parabens are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. Other chemicals in this class generally have “paraben” in their names (e.g., isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, etc.). Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) - is a chemical substance that is widely used as a permanent hair dye. Toxic to skin and immune system. Phthalates - Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used as solvents (dissolving agents) for other materials.

Plasticizers banned in the EU and California in children’s toys, but present in many fragrances, perfumes, deodorants, lotions. Linked to endocrine disruption, liver/kidney/lung damage, cancer. Placental extract - Used in some skin and hair products, but linked to endocrine disruption. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) -Penetration enhancer used in many products, it’s often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens. Silicone-derived emollients - Used to make a product feel soft, these don’t biodegrade, and also prevent skin from breathing. Linked to tumor growth and skin irritation. BHA- It can cause skin depigmentation.

Triclosan and triclocarban- Found in: toothpaste, deodorant, antibacterial soap.

Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES) - Found in: shampoo, body wash, foundation, face wash, mouthwash and toothpaste. SLS has been shown to cause or contribute to: skin irritation, canker sores, disruptions of skin’s natural oil balance and eye damage. It is also widely believed to be a major contributor to acne (especially cystic acne) around the mouth and chin. Talc - Linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory problems. Toluene - is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with the smell associated with paint thinners. Triclosan - Triclosan, similar in its uses and mechanism of action to triclocarban, is an antibacterial and antifungal agent found in consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toys, and surgical cleaning treatments. Found in antibacterial products, hand sanitizers, and deodorants, it is linked to cancer and endocrine disruption.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/20-toxic-ingredientsavoid-when-buying-body-care-products-and-cosmetics.html For more, please check out : trendprivemagazine.com

by Debora Di DoNato