IFAW's Funded Sanctuary

Thought I'd post these exerts from IFAW's financial reports and story article just for grins:

In March, staff from IFAW and the Wild Animal Orphanage rescued three lions, eight tigers, two leopards and four wolves from deplorable conditions in Nevada, and relocated them to the Orphanage’s sanctuary in Texas. (2005)

http://www.ifaw.org/Publications/Annual_reports/asset_upload_file611_5086.pdf (page 13)
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Thirteen big cats and their neighbors will be safer thanks to the help of IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare –www.ifawIFAW-funded sanctuary, the Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO) is moving three lions, two leopards, four wolves and eight tigers from two separate homes near Las Vegas to a suitable sanctuary in Texas. (2005)

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_united_states/media_center/press_releases/3_1_2005_41529.php

(What was not reported was that several of the animals listed above did not arrive at the WAO; and those who arrived with even the slightest health issues, were euthanized)
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IFAW moved 24 tigers from filthy and cramped conditions in a backyard in New Jersey to permanent sanctuary at the IFAW supported Wild Animal Orphanage in Texas. The animals were moved with minimum stress and received intensive medical treatment for several months. Half of them are now in a two-acre wooded enclosure purchased by IFAW. This move generated a significant amount of media coverage for IFAW in the USA and internationally, with more than 1,000 stories in the press. Publicity generated by the move ultimately led to a legislative victory for IFAW with the passage of the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which outlaws the transport of big cats across state lines for commercial purposes. (2004)

http://www.ifaw.org/Publications/Annual_reports/asset_upload_file591_5088.pdf (page 10)

(About half of the NJ tigers were still alive in January 2010)
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Thirteen big cats are now safe thanks to IFAW rescues and relocations to the Wild Animal Orphanage in Texas. During 2002, IFAW funded materials for fencing at this model sanctuary. (IFAW/ Vincent DeWitt) 2002

http://www.ifaw.org/Publications/Annual_reports/asset_upload_file336_5108.pdf (page 20)

When I look back at these "rescues" I cannot help wonder why IFAW never bothered to follow up on the animals they "helped" place at the WAO.

I sure hope IFAW is helping "IFAW-funded model" sanctuary – sadly IFAW is now forced to admit they made a terrible mistake in not monitoring the animals taken to this facility it supported over theyears.

Like most institutions, the WAO was only on their “good list” as long as they continued to take in animals. Sadly, the WAO turned into an animal dumping ground for IFAW and all the other organizations which continually sent animals to the WAO.  Shame on them for not following-up to make sure the animals were still alive and living in suitable habitats.

So,  how much "grant" money was sent by IFAW to the WAO?

IFAW Historical Analysis - 1st Pass 2 5 10

This is just a partial listing.  IFAW made additional payments to the WAO that are not listed on this spreadsheet.

You can find these payments made to WAO on IFAW's financial statements on-line as well.  It takes a while longer to find all the payments made, but they are there for the public to see.  What is disturbing is that IFAW failed in its fiduciary responsibility to ensure the monies sent to the WAO were used for the projects listed.  I still cannot get over how much money the WAO received for the NJ tigers alone.  If I remember correctly, New Jersey paid the WAO approximately $125,000 to accept the animals. A lot of money also came in from private donors via newsletters; and then there's IFAW, spending approximately $265,000 on the NJ tigers' relocation and enclosures.  What makes this story so tragic is that there are still NJ tigers living in small quarantine cages--since their arrival at the WAO back in 2003!

And don't even get me started about how much money was sent to the WAO for the Hurricane Katrina and Rita disaster by IFAW and HSUS!  Shameful.