Is the Exotic Feline Rescue Center a Safe Place for the Former WAO Tigers to Live?

More sanctuary problems?  The Exotic Feline Rescue Center took in several WAO tigers.  I have to wonder how many of the WAO cats are still alive today.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a66715c7b1f34fe0af78fd7f1bbfe3b1/IN--Tiger-Attack-Fines

Indiana animal refuge center fined $69K for safety violations found in wake of woman's mauling

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 19, 2013 - 1:25 pm EST

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana — Workplace-safety regulators have fined a western Indiana animal refuge $69,000 for safety violations discovered after a tiger mauled a woman at the center in June.

Investigators with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration found dangerous conditions at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center the agency said were "likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. The agency fined the center $56,000 for "knowing" violations and another $13,000 for "serious" violations, The Herald-Times reported (http://bit.ly/1cF1Meq ).

IOSHA cited concerns with fence height, gaps in the cages and the operation of sliding gates at the refuge that houses 220 cats, mostly tigers but also lions, pumas, cougars and other exotic felines.

Owner Joe Taft, who started the animal rescue center in 1991 with just three big cats, said he stands by the safety of the center and the care it provides to unwanted and rescued exotic felines.

"In our 23-year history, we have never had a problem. Our fences are compliant with federal regulations and if you have ever been here, it should be apparent that there is no danger," he said Tuesday. "All of our employees feel safe here, even the young lady who was hurt last summer, who has been back working for quite some time."

Marissa Dub suffered severe head, neck and vocal cord injuries in the June 21 attack at the animal refuge near Center Point about 60 miles southwest of Indianapolis. That attack occurred after she failed to secure a sliding cage gate.

Taft said the center employs 12 people who feed the cats, administer medications and clean out cages. He has 15 working days to seek a meeting with IOSHA officials to review the safety orders issued and compromise on how to alleviate those concerns.

Taft said it costs about $3,000 per year to care for each cat and the center's annual budget is about $700,000. He said he's worried the fines will put the animals and the center in jeopardy.

"We think the quality and caliber of work we do here is high. We are disappointed by this response from the state," Taft said.

IOSHA spokesman Bob Dittmer said the agency does not routinely inspect workplaces unless there is a safety complaint or an incident that results in injury or death. He had no record of any past investigations at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issues permits and licenses for exotic animal possession and launched an investigation at the center after the June tiger attack. The results of its inquiry have not been released.

Below is the actual write-up which lead to the violations/fines.  Interesting -- EFRC was cited for allowing workers to enter small exotic cats and a cougar enclosures without separating the animals from the workers.  I imagine if OSHA inspected all wild animal sanctuaries throughout the United States, they would find the majority, if not all, sanctuaries in violation of OSHA regulations.

Exotic_feline_rescue_center - Id Dept of Labor -111313

Later:

I am trying very hard not to render an opinion about this situation because there are a lot of WAO tigers living at this facility.  I just have to wonder, how many enclosures are less than 12 feet?  I also have to wonder why the USDA/APHIS inspector did not see all the problems that OSHA identified.  My guess is that USDA inspector did not want to come down hard on the sanctuary because he/she knows the facility does not have the funds to bring the enclosures up to "code."  There appears to be more focus on the sanctuary's good works, but not on safety for the animals and staff that work around these animals.  

I believe the USDA inspectors have a wide latitude when it comes to writing up a sanctuaries for non-compliant issues--it appears not all inspectors inspect in the same manner--some are more "by the book" than others.  I also believe the USDA wants to stay on the good side of sanctuaries so they have a place to dump their "rescued" animals.  The WAO took in a few cats either brought in or recommended placement by the USDA over the years. 

Upgrades to Cost Rescue Center Millions After Tiger Attack _ News - Indiana Public Media 

Here's the USDA regulation regarding care and inspection of exotic wild animal exhibits.  See page 4-26 for tiger and lion enclosure details:

USDA Inspection Guide - November 2013 (1)

Later:

Well, here's another article on EFRC's recent challenges.  

Costs, Legal Battles Cast Cloud Over Cat Rescue - Washington Times

As I read this article, I could not help but compare EFRC and WAO's working conditions:

1. WAO had no training program for new and current animal caretakers--essentially no previous work experience was required to care for exotic big cats!  Everyone learned on the job. There were no training manuals and no training records on site.  I'm willing to bet animal caretakers throughout the United States have not even read the AWA animal inspection guide that covers exotic animal husbandry.  I know that some of the WAO staff didn't even read the large binder of material until it was provided to them by the USDA, Dr. Pannill, in 2009.  Heck, I knew more about exotic wild animal care, due in large part to the WAO case, than the WAO animals caretakers back in 2009/2010!
2. WAO staff were expected to bring their own "water" or were forced to drink from the hose (the same hoses that cleaned animal cages).  Bottled water was available for $1 in the "gift shop".
3. WAO staff tripled as cage cleaners, feeders, and tour guides.  Often cleaning was rushed because tours were waiting. Big cats were fasted one or two days out of the week and fasting would take place on Saturday, Sunday, or both days so as not to interfere with tours.
4. I remember volunteering all day without taking a break on weekends--but I do believe the workers, for the most part, took their lunch break on-site. Sometimes breaks were cut short so that the staff could conduct tours.
5. I recall that most repairs were made rather quickly at the Leslie Rd facility since it was open to the public--however, most folks were afraid to report animal care issues because Carol would either get upset or just ignore the complaints.  I understand repairs at Talley Road were slow and often left unattended for extended periods of time--I guess out of sight, out of mind!
6. Like EFRC, the WAO took in animals that the USDA asked them to take in--making it a "conflict of interest". I believe the USDA inspector turned a blind eye to the problems at the WAO because the sanctuary was "too big to fail" and it would hurt the relationship between the two organizations--resulting in the WAO refusing to take in any more animals from the USDA.  I truly think the USDA bent over backwards for the WAO in hopes of preserving their "working" relationship before it was forced to close in 2010.  I mean, who is going to say "no" to a USDA request to take in animals when an annual inspection is due?

I remember a time when a cougar escaped from the WAO many years ago.  I arrived at the WAO on a Saturday (I planned on volunteering for the day), just to find it closed to the public. I was greeted at the gate by one of the workers who told me that I may not want to volunteer that day seeing how a cougar escaped the "cougar compound."  Needing no further encouragement, I immediately said I'd be back the following weekend and returned to my car (at a rather brisk pace).  Self preservation kicked in--I went home!  The next weekend I asked if they ever found the cougar and was told no.  For several weeks after that, every time I heard a noise behind me, I immediately turned around, looking for the missing cougar.  Sadly, it was never seen again.  The cougar was one of many animals that escaped the WAO.

EFRC took in 13 WAO tigers.  According to the article, Taft referenced only 10 WAO tigers living in two tiger enclosures.  I believe Sultan died at EFRC, leaving me to wonder who else died at EFRC. How did the tigers die? Breaks my heart to read about EFRC's issues, but I have a feeling these issues are common place at other sanctuaries throughout the United States.  If OSHA and the USDA actually performed "real" inspections, their findings would be shocking.  The USDA is not performing a service to the animals by giving sanctuaries a pass on health and safety violations.  I just wish more attention was paid to sanctuaries as folks would be surprised at just how dangerous it can be either working or visiting a sanctuary!