The Big Cat Rescue Tour
This Tampa attraction offers tours of their sanctuary so that you can meet these beautiful creatures and learn more about them. Tours are available on select days throughout the year and must be reserved in advance. They also offer special tours, such as Behind-the-Scenes Tours and Photography Tours, and Virtual Tours, where you can experience a tour anywhere at any time!
All tours include an educational information session led by an experienced guide who provides an overview of each species found at Big Cat Rescue, along with stories about their individual histories and personalities.
Enrichment For The Cats
When the BCR magazine arrives, I eagerly open it. Usually there are photos from the most recent holiday, when the big cats receive enrichment to stimulate their hunting skills. It makes me feel good for the cats to see the shots of them tearing open pumpkins at Halloween or watermelons on the Fourth of July.
We saw some toys the big cats play with giant hard balls. The cats obviously enjoy them because they roughed them up thoroughly.
Polk County Man Sues Howard Baskin Big Cat Rescue Over Custody Of Lioness
May 16, 2022 / 01:21 PM EDT
May 16, 2022 / 01:21 PM EDT
TAMPA, Fla. A Polk County court has become the stage for a lawsuit between a Polk County man and Big Cat Rescue, made famous in recent years by Netflix show Tiger King. Big Cat Rescue is a registered non-profit in Citrus Park.
Big Cat Rescue, and CEO Howard Baskin, faces a lawsuit over custody of a 4-year-old lioness, named Juma, or Koda, depending on who is speaking about the lion. Roy Pinson, the plaintiff, calls the lioness Juma, while Big Cat Rescue renamed her Koda upon taking custody of the animal.
At the center of the lawsuit is the ownership of Juma or Koda. Pinson alleges in his lawsuit that after directly and personally caring for the lioness since 2018, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took her from his custody due to issues with a bureaucratic process, and delivered the lioness to Carole and Howard Baskins Big Cat Rescue.
Pinson said, via legal brief, that because of issues with paperwork that FWC and I were having, I needed to file an appeal, to FWC taking Juma. I filed the appeal, but they came in and took Juma. FWC told Pinson that he had not filed the appeal, according to Pinsons complaint. When he showed them evidence of the filing on his phone, FWC allegedly told him that it was not filed in the correct court, and took the lioness to Big Cat Rescue.
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Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue serves the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. Fire service began in the 1950s as an all-volunteer force consisting of about a dozen loosely associated community-based organizations. The first full-time career firefighters were hired in 1973. The department now has 1,019 career uniformed and support personnel who continue to set the pace in fire and emergency medical response, making it the fourth-largest department in the state. Since the 1997 consolidation of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services , the department has placed paramedics on each career, front-line apparatus. The department operates 35 ALS transport ambulances, 46 Engine Companies, 5 Truck Companies, 2 Heavy Rescue’s, 1 Hazardous Incident Unit, 1 Fire Boat and 1 Rescue Boat. These units operate out of 44 Fire Rescue stations located strategically throughout Hillsborough County. As of summer 2021, 2 additional stations are being constructed to bring that number up to 46. As nearly 85% of the department’s more than 113,000 emergency responses require some level of medical care, having paramedics assigned to each unit assures that the citizens of Hillsborough County are receiving rapid advanced life-support care.
Netflixs Tiger King Murder Mayhem And Madness
Before you post hateful comments on our page or call to scream about us having big cats in cages, please take a minute to learn about the lies you were told here: If you really hate the idea of big cats being caged, then you will love what and Big Cat Rescue are doing to end the abuse. If you didnt watch Tiger King 2, then you missed Attorney Joe Fritz presenting an official report from Homeland Security saying that Don Lewis was alive and well in Costa Rica at least five years after he left Carole Baskin in Tampa.
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Carole Baskins Mission Is To End The Trade In Exotic Cats And Thus Put Herself Out Of Business
Because of her extensive experience with big cat issues she was selected as a one of the judges for the prestigious International Big Cat Film Festival where winners were selected from over 200 entries and the awards were made at the United Nations Building by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.
Washington, DC, October 24, 2019 The 2019 Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence recipient was announced by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries . This year Carole Baskin of GFAS-accredited Big Cat Rescue, one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world dedicated to abused and abandoned big cats, was singled out for her visionary leadership and advocacy efforts to end the private possession and trade in exotic cats through legislation and education.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Office Of Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management is a division of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue that is directly responsible for planning and coordinating the evacuation and sheltering of all county residents in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. This agency is also responsible for planning, orchestrating and coordinating response actions and in the aftermath of a major disaster. Preston Cook has been the Emergency Manager since 2011.
The Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool has been created to assist residents of Hillsborough County by providing evacuation and sheltering information in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. This interactive program was designed to assist the public in easily determining if they are in one of the five evacuation zones. It also provides information on shelters, hospitals, fire stations, and sandbag locations.
The Office of Emergency Management also provides information to the public on: Hurricane information, procedures for hazardous-materials spills, and flooding, tornado, wildfire, and terrorism preparedness.
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Can I Financially Support My New Pet
When you decide to adopt, whether you decide to adopt a cat or adopt a kitten, youre not just making a time commitmentyoure making a financial commitment as well. Generally speaking cats are pretty low-maintenance pets, which is part of what makes them so much more appealing than, say, dogs. Most cats will live the majority of their lives with little to no major health issues, which is great! That being said, there are basic repeated costs associated with owning a cat.
Although Cat Crusaders takes much of the financial strain off new pet owners by covering many of the upfront medical expenses associated with adopting a cat or adopting a kitten , you can still expect to spend a few hundred dollars a year on litter, food, toys, and annual vet visits. If your cat develops a medical condition or has an unexpected emergency, the cost could be much higher. Be prepared to work these expenses into your current budget, and determine up front whether or not the additional costs are something you are willing and able to commit to.
Adopting a cat is one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make, but its not one that should be made spur-of-the-moment. You are committing financially, physically, and emotionally to care for your new fur baby for the rest of their life, and thats something you need to make sure youre ready for!
Carole Baskin Told Insider That The Pandemic Has Forced Big Cat Rescue To Cut Some Members Of Its Staff
According to its website, Big Cat Rescue is “one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world dedicated to abused and abandoned big cats.” More than 50 felines live on-site, and are cared for by Baskin, her husband Howard, staff members, and approximately 80 to 110 volunteers. Typically, the sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year.
During the pandemic, however, guided tours were temporarily halted to maintain the safety of its big cats, volunteers, and employees.
“About one third of our revenue is from guided tours of the sanctuary,” Baskin told Insider over email. “Losing that meant we had to let go 10 of our 20 staff, and my husband and I are not taking paychecks.”
Still, Big Cat Rescue is working on various methods to spread its message and advocacy online.
“We are trying out new ways of bringing virtual tours to our supporters,” she said. “We have always done Facebook Live broadcasts each day, but now we are trying to bring more consistent content like Feeding Tours LIVE, Keeper Tours LIVE, Singing Sundays, Cats for Kids on Saturdays, etc.”
“We have an educational app coming out called Big Cat Rescue VR for Oculus, and have some teachers working on class materials we can offer teachers and home schoolers to go along with that content,” she continued.
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Big Cat Rescue Overall Picture
The animals at Big Cat Rescue are housed in natural settings and encouraged to exhibit their natural behaviors. They receive the best possible care for us to ensure that they live as close to their natural lifestyles as possible.
They have many employees dedicated to providing the cats with the highest quality of life through enrichment, stimulating activities, and excellent medical care.
Many of the animals at the rescue center are graduates of the Billie Baskin Center for Great Apes. Established in 2010, the Center provides sanctuary and rehabilitation to chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, and siamangs who have been retired from biomedical research laboratories.
Big Cat Rescue: Animal Sanctuary Of Tampa Fl
Big Cat Rescue is a non-profit 501 educational sanctuary located in Tampa, FL. It is home to over 80 big cats representing over 30 species. The Animal Sanctuary of Tampa was founded in 1992 as a Registered Florida Non-Profit Corporation by Carole Baskin and has been accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries since 1996.
The main purpose of the sanctuary is to provide a permanent home for exotic cats that have been abandoned, abused, saved from being turned into fur coats, or retired from performing acts.
Big Cat Rescue’s mission is to end the abuse of big cats through education, legislation, and public awareness. Their goal is to ensure that no big captive cat suffers at the hands of unqualified owners.
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Issues Facing Big Cats
The portion of the tour with the display of the size that is legal, according to the USDA, for a tiger enclosure made me very uncomfortable.
At Big Cat Rescues website, their section on Issues facing big cats is heartbreaking. It lists the different types of exploitations big cats suffer.
However, their news about rescues is always interesting I like to read about the successful rescues of big cats who were destined to become trophies or killed for their fur. Its sad to read about their former lives, but good that many people care and provide a place for these animals..
Hopefully people who take the tour, follow them online, receive their emails and publications will all pull together and help stop Big Cat Abuse of all kinds.
Big Cat Rescue Tampa Fl
Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Ligers, Servals, Ocelots, Cougars
Big Cat Rescue is a nonprofit 5013 charity dedicated to the care of exotic cats. We provide a permanent home for unwanted wildcats and we educate the public in order to eliminate the causes of abandonment and abuse.
Your voice for better laws and your tax deductible donations will make it possible to end the abuse. With your help we can end the suffering and give these great cats a home for life.
Follow Big Cat Rescue on Twitter http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue
Like Big Cat Rescue on Facebook http://facebook.com/bigcatrescue
Add Big Cat Rescue on Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+bigcatrescue
Shop for cat themed items http://bigcatrescue.biz
THANK YOU!
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Jul Exotic Cats At Big Cat Rescue In Tampa Fl
Big Cat Rescue is an accredited sanctuary that advocates ending animal abuse and the captivity of wild animals. Facilities like this are always a plus in my book, so, when I found out that Big Cat Rescue was located just a short drive away in Tampa, I knew we had to plan a little road trip with a couple of our cat loving friends and stop by for a visit.
Since its opening in 1992, Big Cat Rescue has taken in exotic cats that have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, and even retired performing cats. Currently, there are around 100 cats living at the sanctuary species such as lions, tigers, bobcats, servals, cougars and others now make this facility their home.
Tours of the facility are offered almost every day of the week, and there are several options to choose from. The tour options are regular day tours, feeding tours, kids tours, photo tours, keeper tours and private tourseach one offers a unique look into life at Big Cat Rescue. We opted for the basic day tour, which lasts around 1.5 hours and consists of a general tour of the sanctuary. The cost of the tour goes right back to the sanctuary to help pay for operational costs and food for the cats.
After arriving, Micah decided he wanted to put on his sneakers, but he didnt have any socksobviously, the only answer at that point was to buy some stylish cat socks. Pretty manly, huh?!
A Message From Kay Rosaire & The Big Cat Habitat
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Sarasota, Florida has absolutely no affiliation or connection of any kind with Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. Due to the similarity in the facilities names, many people have confused our sanctuary with the Tampa facility owned by Carole Baskin.
Founded in 1987 by Kay Rosaire & family and becoming a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2005, Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Sarasota has become the safe, loving and permanent home of over 150 exotic and domestic animals. Our mission is to not only to provide the best animal care possible, but to preserve the human/animal connection in our world.
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The Big Cat Public Safety Act And The Coronavirus Scare
Even though Congress is not congregating or thinking about anything outside of the current epidemic, we still need you to make the , asking them to co sponsor the Big Cat Public Safety Act. We have more momentum toward ending the abusive cub petting industry and phasing out private ownership of big cats than ever before. We just can not stop now! If your Senator and House members know you care about this issue, even under the looming threat of global disease and financial ruin, they will see how important it is to pass the bill before the last tigers go extinct from the inaction of previous Congresses. It may actually help to point out that COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease from close contact with wild animals and our bill prevents wildcat cub handling.
How They House Orphaned Cats
When they get an injured or orphaned cat, they treat it like a wild animal for as long as possible. The idea is to minimize human contact so that the cats do not become dependent on their human caretakers or have any difficulty being released back into the wild. The only people allowed in the enclosures are interns who volunteer their time, students in their accredited internship program, and their professional staff. Everyone else sees the cats from outside their enclosures.
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Does Big Cat Rescue In Tampa Charge An Entry Fee
The only way to fully appreciate the unmatched magnificence of big cats is to see them up close. Now you can at Big Cat Rescue.
Fees vary depending on what type of tour you choose , but they generally range from $29 to $125 each. To reserve your spot on the Big Cat Rescue tour, visit the website or call the organization.
As the sanctuary grows, Big Cat Rescue is expanding its educational programs to include rehabilitation and conservation research for wild cats worldwide. Don’t miss your chance to come face-to-face with some of the most magnificent creatures on Earth. Interested in learning about becoming a resident in Florida or moving there? Read more.
Dont Forget To Bring:
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Watch Our Cats Live On Exploreorg
Big Cat Rescue, one of the worlds most influential sanctuaries for exotic cats, is a leading advocate for ending the abuse of captive big cats and saving wild cats from extinction. We are the most hated, feared and lied about by circuses, backyard breeders, roadside zoos, cub petting pimps and pseudo-sanctuaries because we are the most effective at ending the abuse of big cats. We wear that as a badge of honor.
We are home to , , , , , jaguar and other species most of whom have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, saved from being turned into fur coats, or retired from performing acts.
- Saved from being slaughtered to make fur coats
- Rescued as babies after hunters killed their mothers. See our work