This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care. I do love my cats, especially the big ones! I wrote this poem for the Climate Change blogathon and I think it applies here. Let me know what you think of the edited version. I asked for some critiques in another diary and am trying to apply what I learned. :)
I am here, alive and all around you
I have no voice
In your trees, your air, your fields, your oceans, your world
I have no voice
I am a mother, a father, a protector, a soul
I have no voice
I can walk, crawl, sing, fear
I have no voice
You must be my voice
The Wildcat Sanctuary
Mission
Provide a natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspire change to end the captive wildlife crisis.
Our Vision
Help create a world where animal sanctuaries are no longer needed.
Who We Are
The Wildcat Sanctuary (TWS) is a 501c3 non-profit, no-kill big cat rescue located in Sandstone, MN. TWS provides a natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspires change to end the captive wildlife crisis. TWS is funded solely on private donations. The Sanctuary is a rescue organization and is not open to the public. Combining natural and spacious habitats with a life free of exhibition, TWS allows all residents to live wild at heart. As a true sanctuary, we do not buy, breed, sell or exhibit animals. The Wildcat Sanctuary is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. We are also licensed by the USDA and members of the American Zookeepers Association.
The website is here
You can donate here
You can support TWS here
Sponsor a wild one here
No More Wild Pets
What is the No More Wild Pets Educational Campaign?
The Wildcat Sanctuary created the No More Wild Pets©campaign to increase public awareness of the captive wildlife crisis and decrease the number of wild animals being kept as pets. The campaign strives to inspire people to keep the wild in their heart, not their home and advocates for adopting appropriate pets.Find out the answers to the most commonly asked questions about No More Wild Pets.
No More Wild Pets includes print and television PSAs, merchandising, partnership programs with dog and cat rescue groups, educational presentations for all ages, teacher tool kits and innovative approaches, including a local community scholarship and even a fun car-detailing campaign featuring Titan and Lilly, our TWS Ambassador tigers. Contact us if you would like to donate time or space to run our print, TV or radio PSAs.
A significant factor in making the wildlife trade possible is the general public’s lack of awareness of the captive wildlife crisis and the dangers involved with private ownership of wild animals. Through our educational efforts and our continuous public presence, TWS hopes to help create a world where there are no more wild pets and wild animal sanctuaries are no longer needed.
The Wildcat Sanctuary strongly believes that there is hope to end the captive wildlife crisis and it begins with education.
The Wildcat Sanctuary strongly believes that there is hope to end the captive wildlife crisis and it begins with education.
What is the Goal of No More Wild Pets?
To decrease the number of wild animals kept as pets and increase adoption of appropriate pets.
See more here
TWS in the News
A.9004-C/S.6903-C, a bill prohibiting public contact with Big Cats, has passed both Houses of New York’s legislature and awaits action by Governor Cuomo. The Wildcat Sanctuary joins IFAW, HSUS, Born Free USA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Wildlife Conservation Society urging his swift signing and passage of this very important bill.
sabrina_PCML 17 JUNE 2012_537According to Holly Francisco, New York’s Capitol Office Director, there are “many individuals across our state (and the entire country) who (quite often illegally) obtain a lion/tiger or some other Big Cat and set up a small zoo-like operation. These individuals rarely have the expertise or the facilities necessary to properly care for these animals and are merely assuming this responsibility in order to exploit the creature and make money off of public interaction with it. These operations encourage illegal trade and breeding of these animals as well as require a constant influx of cubs, resulting in more unmanageable and unwanted adult cats down the line. We believe that by prohibiting physical contact with the public, the monetary incentive is lost and many fewer individuals will choose to operate one of these facilities.”
Though the proposed Big Cat and Public Safety Protection Act still sits before Congress, New York has decided not to wait for the federal government to act. The stakes are too high. They have passed A.9004-C/S.6903-C, a bill you can view HERE.
Today, The Wildcat Sanctuary sent a letter to Governor Cuomo, explaining the need for this bill and encouraging his immediate action (see below). We hope you will add your voice by contacting the Governor’s officer HERE, asking for his signature.
July 21, 2014
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Executive Chamber
State Capitol – 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Cuomo,
As a stakeholder in the issues covered by A.9004-C/S.6903-C, which prohibits direct contact between the general public and dangerous big cats, we urge your swift signing of this bill. The time for passing a bill regulating public contact with deadly carnivores is long overdue and we applaud New York for taking this initiative.
We are currently home to over 100 wild cats that, for many tragic reasons, have been in need of rescue. We have had to take several in from New York. Our life-saving work has helped cats from 29 states, including your state, and two countries.
As of 2012, there were an estimated 10,000 – 20,000 big cats in private hands – and that number continues to climb as owners continue breeding them for profit. It may seem surprising that 95% of all tigers in the United States are privately owned. But, as with most industries driven by profit, public interaction opportunities are fueling this breeding and spike in private ownership.
With so little regulation in place, exotic and big cat ownership has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. When a baby tiger cub can be purchased for less than a purebred dog, we have a serious problem on our hands. We’ve seen, over and over again, how easily big cats can be bought by most anyone at auctions, from backyard breeders, on the illegal black market, via internet brokers, stolen from their natural wild habitats, or picked up as discarded surplus from zoos, roadside attractions, game ranches, etc. Case in point was when New York’s Catskill Game Farm closed down, auctioning off almost 1000 animals to fates unknown – including canned hunting facilities and private exhibitors.
At first cute and cuddly and able to draw in the petting/photo op crowds, the tigers cubs so easily obtained soon grow into dangerous carnivores. All too often, with the mounting expenses of caring for them and with the danger they present, they’re destined to life in a backyard cage under deplorable conditions. There are few rehoming options for them and there will never be enough sanctuaries to take in all these unwanted big cats.
Besides ending the rampant breeding caused by the public contact market, S. 6902 will also help assure public safety. Since 2000, 21 people have died and 246 have been mauled by exotic cats. Captive tigers alone have killed at least 12 people in the US and mauled over 75 more. There have been 253 escapes, 143 big cat deaths and 131 confiscations. Yet, there are still many states that refuse to require even a permit or license in order to buy a big cat. As recently as June of 2011, only 21 states ban private ownership of exotics, 8 states have a partial ban, and 13 states require a permit or license.
By signing this bill, New York will be taking a giant step forward with much needed legislation in this area. Your state will be bringing greater control to a largely unregulated practice. We look forward to your swift passage of this bill.
Sincerely,
Tammy Thies
Founder and Executive Director
The Wildcat Sanctuary
WildcatSanctuary.org
PO Box 314
Sandstone MN 55072
Sanctuary – 320-245-6871
Read more news here
Legacy Pride
The Wildcat Sanctuary relies upon our members and supporters to help us build and maintain proper facilities, health care, quality nutrition and qualified staff. Because TWS receives no public funds we must look to individuals such as yourself to support the animals and our programs today and to provide a legacy for their future.
TWS' staff and volunteers are frequently asked how supporters can make a major gift during their life or upon their death. You can decide how to designate a gift either for a specific program or project or make a general contribution, which will be used to support all of TWS' programs and services. In many cases you may also enjoy significant tax benefits.
The Wildcat Sanctuary is grateful to our supporters who have already advised us of their intentions to provide for the animals by making a planned gift. We honor them with membership in The Wildcat Sanctuary's Legacy Pride. To become a member, please fill out and return the Letter of Intent (PDF)See more here