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→Conservation and rescues: Skipaholics. Tried not to scare-quote Skip and Skipaholics too much. Some coverage from Examiner (ugh) but most is in the real cites.
Added another reference for the FWC warning, this time from a neutral blog
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An investigation by Tampa television station [[WTSP]] in 2011 discovered numerous concerns about the way Big Cat Rescue operated, including lack of transparency, animal law violations resulting in [[USDA]] citations, inadequate fencing that could potentially result in animal escapes, and describing animals taken in by the sanctuary as being rescued from poor conditions while in reality they were kept and raised properly and in a loving home.<ref name=WTSP>{{cite web |title= 10 News Investigators Raise Questions About Big Cat Rescue |url= http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/212996/8/10-News-Investigators-raise-questions-about-Big-Cat-Rescue-transparency |last= Deeson |first= Mike |date= September 30, 2011 |publisher = [[WTSP]] |accessdate= October 20, 2015}}</ref> The story included criticism from Joe Schreibvogel, who at the time was suing Big Cat Rescue.<ref name=WTSP/>
An investigation by Tampa television station [[WTSP]] in 2011 discovered numerous concerns about the way Big Cat Rescue operated, including lack of transparency, animal law violations resulting in [[USDA]] citations, inadequate fencing that could potentially result in animal escapes, and describing animals taken in by the sanctuary as being rescued from poor conditions while in reality they were kept and raised properly and in a loving home.<ref name=WTSP>{{cite web |title= 10 News Investigators Raise Questions About Big Cat Rescue |url= http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/212996/8/10-News-Investigators-raise-questions-about-Big-Cat-Rescue-transparency |last= Deeson |first= Mike |date= September 30, 2011 |publisher = [[WTSP]] |accessdate= October 20, 2015}}</ref> The story included criticism from Joe Schreibvogel, who at the time was suing Big Cat Rescue.<ref name=WTSP/>


In October 2014, Big Cat Rescue was issued a warning by the [[Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission]] for letting a leopard into an enclosure that was insufficiently secured for this species, which could have resulted in an escape.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Complaint filed against Big Cat Rescue over leopard|url = http://www.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/complaint-filed-against-big-cat-rescue-over-leopard-20141007/|website = TBO.com|publisher = Tampa Bay Online|accessdate = October 21, 2015}}</ref>
In October 2014, Big Cat Rescue was issued a warning by the [[Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission]] for letting a leopard into an enclosure that was insufficiently secured for this species, which could have resulted in an escape.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Complaint filed against Big Cat Rescue over leopard|url = http://www.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/complaint-filed-against-big-cat-rescue-over-leopard-20141007/|website = TBO.com|publisher = Tampa Bay Online|accessdate = October 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Through Golden Eyes: Big Cat Rescue issued warning for leopard enclosure|url = http://throughgoldeneyes.blogspot.de/2014/10/big-cat-rescue-issued-warning-for.html|website = throughgoldeneyes.blogspot.de|publisher = https://plus.google.com/115679656657499187406|accessdate = 2015-10-21}}</ref>


In November 2014, a routine inspection performed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uncovered more than 80 concerns and violations, mainly pertaining to poor conditions of enclosures.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.bigcatrescuewatch.com/uploads/2/6/8/1/26816874/2014_unannounced_inspection_-_big_cat_rescue.pdf|title = Routine inspection report from November 2014|date = November 7, 2014|accessdate = October 21, 2015|website = |publisher = Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission|last = |first = }}</ref>
In November 2014, a routine inspection performed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uncovered more than 80 concerns and violations, mainly pertaining to poor conditions of enclosures.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.bigcatrescuewatch.com/uploads/2/6/8/1/26816874/2014_unannounced_inspection_-_big_cat_rescue.pdf|title = Routine inspection report from November 2014|date = November 7, 2014|accessdate = October 21, 2015|website = |publisher = Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission|last = |first = }}</ref>

Revision as of 20:07, 21 October 2015

Big Cat Rescue
Map
LocationTampa, Florida, United States
Websitebigcatrescue.org

Big Cat Rescue is an animal sanctuary near Tampa, Florida, United States, devoted to rescuing and housing exotic felines, rehabilitating injured or orphaned native wild cats, and ending the private trade and ownership of exotic cats via educational outreach and legislation. As of August 2015, the center is home to 19 big cats and 67 small cats.[1] Species housed at the facility have included tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, and lynxes.[2]

The sanctuary is located on 67 acres (27 ha) in the Citrus Park area of North Tampa.[3] In 2014, Big Cat Rescue received over 27,000 visitors.[4] Big Cat Rescue began operating in 1992, and bills itself as "the largest accredited sanctuary in the world dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats." It is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and is a member of World Animal Protection.[3][5]

History

Big Cat Rescue started on November 4, 1992.[3] Previously the sanctuary was a conservation organization known as Wildlife on Easy Street, which featured a bed and breakfast experience that allowed guests to spend the night with a young wild cat in their cabin.[6][7] According to the sanctuary, this part of its history was a misguided effort to aid captive conservation and animal welfare of privately-owned animals.[8] Big Cat Rescue became a nonprofit in 1995.[4]

In 2013, following a 2011 lawsuit, Joe Schreibvogel, aka "Joe Exotic", whose family runs the GW Exotic Animal Park, was ordered to pay Big Cat Rescue $1 million for using confusingly similar trademarked materials.[9]

An investigation by Tampa television station WTSP in 2011 discovered numerous concerns about the way Big Cat Rescue operated, including lack of transparency, animal law violations resulting in USDA citations, inadequate fencing that could potentially result in animal escapes, and describing animals taken in by the sanctuary as being rescued from poor conditions while in reality they were kept and raised properly and in a loving home.[10] The story included criticism from Joe Schreibvogel, who at the time was suing Big Cat Rescue.[10]

In October 2014, Big Cat Rescue was issued a warning by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for letting a leopard into an enclosure that was insufficiently secured for this species, which could have resulted in an escape.[11][12]

In November 2014, a routine inspection performed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uncovered more than 80 concerns and violations, mainly pertaining to poor conditions of enclosures.[13]

Conservation and rescues

One of the main goals of Big Cat Rescue is to end ownership and trade of exotic felines in the private sector entirely.[14] The center is part of the International Tiger Coalition, which is dedicated to stopping the trade of tiger parts.[15]

In 2011, the center received attention for its rescue of "Skip", a bobcat, who had likely been hit by a car on Florida State Road 46 and had a crushed pelvis. Fans of Skip who watched the UStream recovery of Skip organized on Facebook, calling themselves "Skipaholics". These fans contributed money for cameras, cat beds, and other equipment. Skip died late in 2011.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ "Big Cat Rescue Corp". Animal Care Information System. USDA. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  2. ^ Brodowsky, Pamela (2010). Ecotourists Save the World: The Environmental Volunteer's Guide to More Than 300 International Adventures to Conserve, Preserve, and Rehabilitate Wildlife and Habitats. New York: Perigee Books. ISBN 0399535764.
  3. ^ a b c "Credentials". Big Cat Rescue. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Finances". Big Cat Rescue. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  5. ^ "Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries". Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  6. ^ Janson, Mary Lou; Foster, Lee (April 12, 1998). "Strange Bedfellows At Tampa's Wildlife On Easy Street". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  7. ^ LaPeter Anton, Leonora (November 11, 2007). "The Big Cat Fight". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  8. ^ "History & Evolution of Big Cat Rescue". Big Cat Rescue. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Knittle, Andrew (March 4, 2013). "'Joe Exotic' Ordered to Pay Florida Animal Sanctuary $1 million". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Deeson, Mike (September 30, 2011). "10 News Investigators Raise Questions About Big Cat Rescue". WTSP. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  11. ^ "Complaint filed against Big Cat Rescue over leopard". TBO.com. Tampa Bay Online. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  12. ^ "Through Golden Eyes: Big Cat Rescue issued warning for leopard enclosure". throughgoldeneyes.blogspot.de. https://plus.google.com/115679656657499187406. Retrieved October 21, 2015. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Routine inspection report from November 2014" (PDF). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. November 7, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  14. ^ "Why Regulations Don't Work". Big Cat Rescue. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  15. ^ "International Tiger Coalition". Big Cat Rescue. May 23, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  16. ^ Snow, Christine (January 13, 2011). "Injured Bobcat Rescued Along S.R. 46 Licking Wounds at Tampa Facility". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  17. ^ "Bobcat recovery streaming online". Bay News 9. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

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