For the Love of Money--The Truth Comes Out!

Well, well, the cat is out of the bag, so to speak.  If you've been reading this blog from the beginning, then you already know that many sanctuaries are "in it" for the money.   It's all about the money.   All that tax-free money.  All those public contributions.  What is a crooked animal sanctuary director to do, but spend the money!


http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/executive-director-gfas-most-get-into-animal-welfare-because-they-love-money/

Executive Director of GFAS: “Most Get into Animal Welfare Because They Love Money”

Executive Director of GFAS Admits to Love of Money as Motive

By Aya Katz

In a rare moment of candor, Kellie Heckman, the Executive Director of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) admitted that the motivation of most animal welfare advocates is the love of money. The admission occurred at the USDA/APHIS “Lions, Tigers and Bears Symposium” held July 8 – 9, 2014. It is only only on August 20, 201, however, when this video was released showing the unedited footage from the conference, side by side by the edited version released by GFAS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiPW0g0FUXo
GFAS Executive Director Kellie Heckman admitting motive for animal welfare is the love of money
Here is exactly what Ms. Heckman said: You know, most of us came into the animal welfare business, you know, for one reason: It’s because we love money.” When she realized what she had said, Ms. Heckman was a little flustered and people in the crowd could be heard saying “wow!” Later, when the video of Ms. Heckman’s talk was posted online, her statement about the love of money was edited out.

GFAS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993. It is based in Tzaneen, South Africa, so arguably it is not even an American charity. However, this organization has taken on itself the accreditation of all animal sanctuaries, and it has direct ties with the USDA’s arm for animal and plant health inspection, APHIS.  This governmental entity in the United States has the power to make or break any business or organization dealing in animals, whether these animals are used for agriculture, as research subjects or for any other purpose.

Over the past quarter century, breeders of domesticated animals, such as dogs, horses, elephants and chimpanzees have come under increased pressure to stop their operations. Restrictions on the sale, breeding and displaying of such animals have been put into place. As businesses such as pet shops, circuses and carriage rides have been forced to shut down, countless nonprofits have sprung up to open shelters and sanctuaries to house the displaced animals . In order to do well financially, sanctuaries must seek accreditation with GFAS. There are even seminars explaining how to do so, like the one at which Ms. Heckman was a speaker. All of this is a very lucrative business and tax free.  People who are looking to adopt a dog or a cat are encouraged not to buy them from pet stores or breeders, but to look for them at a not-for-profit shelter, where they pay “adoption fees” instead of a purchase price. People who want to see other more exotic animals are encouraged to make tax free donations to sanctuaries. In this way, the connection between humans and other animals is transferred entirely into the nonprofit sector.

There are big winners and big losers in the animal welfare business. It is refreshing to finally be able to learn from the horse’s mouth that all this is being done for the love of money.

And then there is this... OMG!  This video popped up after the GFAS Executive Director Kellie Heckman admitting motive for animal welfare is the love of money video concluded.

New World of Animal Rights - The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWQQDvEz-Y0

and they have a Facebook page too!

Looks like an old video and Facebook page that didn't get much traction.  Interesting concept... just a wee bit creepy for me tho....in any case, it looks like they have gone away.

Farewell Misha...

Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

April 7, 2016· 8 hrs · 

With sadness we had to say goodbye to Misha yesterday. She was one of the lucky ones. Started as a photo cat in S Dakota , 16 years ago. Abandoned after reaching 40 pounds and no longer profitable she was rescued by USDA and taken to WAO In Texas. There she once again fell into bad circumstances when they went bankrupt. USDA found a home for her , her brother Koko and Kela with us. They were the last 3 Tigers to find homes. We built a special expansive enclosure for them and they had never before been on grass. All three were so happy. She has been with us since 2011 and was the star of Barry's feeding demonstration with her high jumping ability.

She developed an age related neurological condition and it was in her best interest to let her go. She had a long life and many happy well fed years with us.

May God bless and keep you, Misha,  in Heaven forever and ever - Amen.

I Just Found this Facebook Posting -- Thank You Global Wildlife Warriors!

Global Wildlife Warriors

July 13, 2013 · 

As you may recall, the Wild Animal Orphanage closed its doors in 2010 and many of its animals were rehomed. All but one sanctuary received a large amount of money to care for the animals—the only one who was awarded money from the WAO trust was Born Free in the amount of $500k because they took in the last of the WAO macaques.

Sadly, many of the animals that were relocated throughout the US died within two years of their rehoming from various diseases, including cancer, all attributed from their time spent at the WAO. None of these sanctuaries received a dime from the WAO trust or any other animal rescue organization.

When a concerned former WAO member learned Canine Distemper swept through a Texas exotic cat sanctuary, where a favorite lion of hers currently resides, she immediately contacted @International Fund for Animal Welfare for help.

Some back history:

In 2006, IFAW failed to respond to a whistleblower’s complaint to IFAW that the WAO misappropriated donated public funds and failed to provide even the most animal care (such as food, water, shelter, health care) to its animals. Instead, IFAW chose to take the side of the corrupt board of directors and essentially made fun of the whistleblower’s complaints. In 2012, the USDA substantiated the whistleblower’s allegations, but not before over 80 animals died during the course of their investigation (USDA, TCEQ, Texas OAG).

IFAW “loaned” about $60k to the WAO for food and basic health care treatments until all the animals were eventually rehomed in 2012.

Fast Forward:

The former whistleblower contacted IFAW this month to see if they could help the In-Sync Exotics with their canine distemper outbreak. It seemed reasonable, that the $60k loaned to the WAO could be granted to In-Sync Exotics so they would be able to pay off current and future medical bills (about $50K)

An email from IFAW’s Animal Rescue Manager stated IFAW was “ in ongoing communications with InSync Exotics regarding the outbreak. Between the two organizations, we are in the process of determining how best to assist.” This “good news” was posted on In-Sync’s webpage. To everyone’s chagrin, it turns IFAW did not contact In-Sync Exotics, but the sanctuary is hopeful that they will call very soon.

This type of playing “fast and loose” with the lives of In-Sync Exotics big cats is deplorable and should be condemned. IFAW failed the WAO animals in 2006 – let’s encourage IFAW to do right by the In-Sync Exotics cats affected by canine distemper.

In-Sync Exoctics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center
https://www.facebook.com/insyncexotics?ref=ts&fref=ts

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
https://www.facebook.com/ifaw?ref=ts&fref=ts

What I Learned from Working Around Big Cats

For 30 years I worked in the Human Resources profession.  You can learn a lot from working with people and their personal/professional challenges.  You learn how to appreciate what you have; that life isn't as bad as you might think; and sometimes just being in the right place at the right time is what gets you ahead in life.

But the most profound lessons I learned were from working around the big cats. Here's a list of my Top 10 Lessons Learned from the Big Cats:

1. Always bring your A-game to work.  Don't go to work sick, hurt, or tired.  Working around big cats can be dangerous if you don't pay attention to your work because of physical or mental distractions.
2. Be careful of your actions for you never know who is watching you.  Big cats are very smart and they get used to your usual routine.  If you change your routine or forget to do something (like returning the lock to the gate for instance), believe me, the big cats are watching you closely and will take advantage of your mistakes.
3. You get more positive results from positive reinforcements.  Yelling and screaming at the big cats rarely results in motivating a big cat to do something (much like yelling at your own kitty at home).  The big cat will either yawn back at you or charge the fence line to get you to remove yourself from the area.  However, if you dangle a piece of meat or favorite "toy" in the direction you want the big cat to go, chances are the big cat may move in the direction you want him or her to go.
4. Know what motivates your big cats.  If you don't know what motivates your big cats, then how can you get them to do what you want?  Not all big cats are interested in meat, especially if they are not hungry.  So study up on your cat and learn what motivates your cat to move.  
5. Have a back-up plan.  Not one plan fits all cats.  Try several motivational tools before ...
6. Knowing when to strategically disengage.  Remember, never give up, just try again later with a different motivating plan.
7. Check your work before others discover your mistakes.  See #2 above.  Check and double check the gates, locks, and the big cats themselves.  If they are paying particular attention to the gate or enclosure walls, that might be a sign that something is amiss!
8. Pay attention to your work environment.  Never turn your back on a big cat.  Keep big cats in visual at all times. Don't work too close to enclosure walls in case a big cat paw snakes out and grabs your legs! There list of don'ts is so long, but I think you get the picture.  Know your surroundings, know where your cats are at all times, and know where you can obtain emergency supplies if you need them.
9. Surround yourself with competent people.  Working with risk takers and ignorant people may not serve you well. When working around big cats, you need to be in the company of competent workers who know what they are doing.
10. Don't let others stand in the way of your dreams or ambitions.  Nuff said there.

Well, there you have it--lessons learned from the big cats that can be applied in any profession.  I'm curious, what have you learned from your own fur-family members?