The After-Thanksgiving Event

On the day Jake died, the sanctuary held its first After-Thanksgiving party for the animals. What a bitter sweet day for the animals and the workers. During the special event, the tigers and bears received pumpkins, which they prompted tossed and rolled around their enclosures according to friends that attended the event.

Bubba received a hot pink blanket, donated by a friend of mine at work, and a boomer ball donated by a County office which funded raised the dollar amount to purchase this gift for the white tiger.

T’Salvo also received a large bright red boomer ball which she grabbed and dragged back to her den so as to play with it.

The monkeys, from all accounts, loved their treat boxes, opening them carefully at its tab and then promptly reaching in and dragging out the hay mixed with peanuts, dried fruit, and a special cookie shaped as a peanut.

The wolf pups loved their tug a ball toy, proceeding to enter into a tug a war over the new item.

I only wish there were enough toys for all the animals at the sanctuary. Sadly, not everyone received a present, but I’m hoping folks will donate towards the animals toys this Christmas. So far, we have two large boomer balls (14”); two medium boomer balls (10”) and three smaller boomer balls. The big balls will go to tigers and lions, while the smaller balls will go to the cougars and the bobcats/serval/caracal.

Since I am still hesitant to go to the sanctuary at this time, the sanctuary taped the animals receiving their presents, and I was told a copy of the tape would be provided to me soon. I need to work on getting toys for the second property’s animals as they did not receive as many toys as the touring property’s animals.

All the animals went through so much in the last several years; they deserve some treats and toys!

The USDA inspector visited the property today and was shown a copy of the After Thanksgiving video. Apparently she liked what she saw for she asked for a copy of the video so as to pass it on to another veterinarian. The inspector was told that Jake died and concerned the inspector asked if I was aware of his death. The director let her know that I did indeed know about his death and I was told the inspector seemed relieved. Apparently the USDA is happy I am no longer sending any more complaint emails to them! I was told the new director provided the inspector with an animal inventory listings for both properties and gave her an update on the required repairs needed at both facilities. Since the perimeter fence is not complete yet, the USDA will work with the sanctuary and give them a reasonable time frame to install the fence. Also, the USDA inspector was pleased with the way Bubba was looking, saying he looked much better since her last visit and wanted to know what the staff was doing to improve his health. By all accounts, it appears this was a successful USDA/APHIS visit.

The new director said she is still waiting for Jake’s necropsy report. There was some concerns he may have died from a highly contagious disease; however, the USDA inspector told the new director she felt Jake may not have actually died from this disease--so now only time and the test results will tell.

The new director directed staff to winterize the animal enclosures since the cold winter weather is upon us. Propane heaters were started up and several enclosures were winterized with insulation boards and lots of hay/straw. It was reported to me the big cats’ enclosures received hay in each shelter box. The USDA inspector was pleased the facility was working hard to winterize the animals' enclosures.

Oh, and the President of the Board elected not to resign just yet and the OAG approved the nomination of a new board member based on his employment resume -- it should be interesting to see if this new member, if approved by the board, will bring life to the board of directors.

I'm ending this post on a grateful note; for if it was not for the kind donations received by several County employees, the animals above would not have received presents at their After-Thanksgiving event. Thank you so much my friends for helping me help the animals! I am grateful for my friends and I am grateful the sanctuary is now under new management!