Last week, with all the drama of the missing cougar, I did not mention that Jeanette Ferro and I purchased boomer balls for Lulu, Kovu, and Ifaw. We are hoping the gifts will arrive either the day before Thanksgiving or the day after. I am very grateful to Dave (owner) of Boomerball for giving us a 10% donation discount on the purchase as the balls . The gifts were made in memory of past and present WAO animals and Jeanette and I hope the Lulu and the lions receive a lot of joy from playing with the boomer balls!
I found this update on the Safe Haven Rescue Zoo website: http://www.safehavenwildlife.com/
EMERGENCY RESCUE UPDATE—
BARRICK MINING FUNDS TIGER ENCLOSURE!
Safe Haven's newest residents are a pair of African lions and a Siberian tiger that arrived on October 16. They were transferred from the Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO) in San Antonio, TX.
Thanks to an extremely generous donation from Barrick Mining, we will be able to provide a new enclosure for Siberian tiger Lulu (left). Barrick’s gift of $25,000 is earmarked for the construction of the enclosure and the expansion of our solar power installation.
Barrick Mining/Turquoise Ridge has been one of our most important supporters, and we are gratified that they have presented us with such a generous gift. The support of our donors has made it possible for us to continue to fulfill our mission in an economic climate in which other sanctuaries are struggling—as the recent rescues demonstrate.
We chose Safe Haven as the recipient of the gifts because (1) it was clear this sanctuary would benefit the most from the balls and I have no doubt they will go to the intended recipients and (2) Safe Haven was the only facility which invited me to visit the animals any time. Even though I probably will not be able to travel to Nevada, the offer to see the tiger and lions meant a lot to me. Thanks, Safe Haven!
Now on to the politic side of the house. The Safe Haven website also had the following statement:
WAO has fallen on hard times. Citing overpopulation, inadequate housing and lack of funding, the board of directors voted on August 31 to close the facility and find placement for the remaining animals.
I am sure the folks from Safe Haven know the truth about what really transpired at the WAO. The WAO closed not necessarily due to "lack of funding and overpopulation" but rather from misappropriation of funds and mismanagement.
What continues to astound me is how every sanctuary touts the IFAW/WAO party line and refuses to print the truth. And to make matters worse, it appears many sanctuaries are saying that the WAO closed due to the exotic wild pet trade, which is absolutely ludicrous!
Here's the reality -- there are good animal owners and bad animal owners. There are good sanctuaries and there are bad sanctuaries. You only hear about the bad animal owners, because quite simply, these people do horrific things to their animals. You never hear about the really good animal owners, and they are out there!
I hate the fact that people are trying to cover-up the actions of bad sanctuary directors who operate substandard animal sanctuaries, and yet are quick to announce how bad it is to privately own an animal. It is too hypocritical. Sanctuaries should not be the business of politics. Sanctuaries should focus on one thing and one thing only -- caring for the animals placed in their charge.
When you mix politics and animals, you get people willing to lie for a cause that is not just.
What continues to astound me is how every sanctuary touts the IFAW/WAO party line and refuses to print the truth. And to make matters worse, it appears many sanctuaries are saying that the WAO closed due to the exotic wild pet trade, which is absolutely ludicrous!
Here's the reality -- there are good animal owners and bad animal owners. There are good sanctuaries and there are bad sanctuaries. You only hear about the bad animal owners, because quite simply, these people do horrific things to their animals. You never hear about the really good animal owners, and they are out there!
I hate the fact that people are trying to cover-up the actions of bad sanctuary directors who operate substandard animal sanctuaries, and yet are quick to announce how bad it is to privately own an animal. It is too hypocritical. Sanctuaries should not be the business of politics. Sanctuaries should focus on one thing and one thing only -- caring for the animals placed in their charge.
When you mix politics and animals, you get people willing to lie for a cause that is not just.
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