Nonprofit Spotlight: Big Cat Rescue

Big Cat Rescue was founded in 1992 with the goal of providing an "educational sanctuary" for exotic cats such as cougars, lions and lynx.

The facility on Easy Street near Citrus Park Mall offers day tours and houses a gift shop.

Patch recently talked to Jeff Kremer, director of donor appreciation at BCR, about what the organization does and how the community can get involved.

Patch: What is the purpose of Big Cat Rescue?

Kremer: Big Cat Rescue’s mission is to provide the best permanent home for the animals in its care and to reduce the number of cats that suffer the fate of abuse, abandonment or extinction. This mission is accomplished by teaching the public about the plight of the cats, both in the wild and in captivity, and how they can help through their behavior and support of better laws to protect the cats.

Today, the sanctuary is devoted to its Vision of a world where the animals we share it with are treated with respect and caring and where habitat is preserved to insure the indefinite future survival of these wonderful gifts of nature. In creating such a world, we hope the same principles of respect and caring will carry over to the way humans treat each other.

Patch: What sets BCR apart from other organizations that cater to animals?

Kremer: While numerous organizations provide “aid” for animals, Big Cat Rescue is dedicated to not only providing a permanent home and best care possible for the sanctuary’s animals but also strives towards helping end the exploitive and abusive practices that create the need for such rescues.

Some animals at the BCR have been:

• Abandoned by owners who wrongly thought they would make good pets

• Abused by owners in order to force them to perform

• Retired from performing acts

• Saved from being slaughtered to make fur coats

• Rescued as babies after hunters killed their mothers

Additional attributes that distinguish Big Cat Rescue from many other animal welfare organizations are that it's:

• Accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries

• Certified by Independent Charities of America as a “Best in America Charity”

• Member of the World Society for Protection of Animals

• Rated four stars (highest rating) by Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management

Patch: How many animals have been served at the organization since it was founded?

Kremer: Approximately 225-250 animals have been served by the sanctuary since its inception.

Patch: What services does BCR provide for the animals there?

Kremer: Big Cat Rescue provides each animal with a “forever” home that includes the highest quality food, medical care and enrichment program to ensure both their physical as well as mental well being.

Medical Care:

• Daily observation for physical and mental well being

• Daily cleaning of each animal enclosure; cleaning of each water bowl/food block

• Monthly flea and tick preventative treatment

• Monthly de-worming prevention

• Weekly operant conditioning

Weekly:

• “Blood-sickles," or frozen blood from USDA grade beef frozen in a plastic cup

• Sardini-Martini’s: Sardines blended with water and frozen in a plastic cup

• Paper bags and boxes filled with spices and extracts

Seasonally:

• Christmas trees in December

• Pumpkins in October

• Frozen (thawed) turkeys and cornish hens in November

Patch: How can the community get involved if they want to volunteer or donate?

Kremer: The sanctuary offers the opportunity to volunteer both onsite as well as remotely. New Volunteer Orientation is offered on the first Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. You must have been on a recent Day Tour on a date prior to attending Orientation. Day Tour times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in Big Cat Rescue’s Volunteer Program. There is no cost for Volunteer Orientation, however there will be a fee on the first day of volunteering. This fee is $70 per person or $50 per senior or student with valid senior/student ID. The fee covers the cost of your training manual, volunteer shirt, walkie talkie and adminisrative costs.

Big Cat Rescue also offers a comprehensive Advocat program for individuals who are seeking to support the sanctuary’s efforts remotely.

For additional information regarding Big Cat Rescue’s Volunteer Program, please visit: http://bigcatrescue.org/get-involved/volunteer/advocats/.

For additional information regarding the Advocat program, please visit: http://bigcatrescue.org/get-involved/volunteer/advocats/.