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?

Outbreak of Canine Distemper Kills Tigers and Lion at EFRC!

Oh my goodness, not again, dear Lord.  I pray none of the WAO tigers sent to this facility were affected by this horrible, horrible disease.

http://wthitv.com/2015/12/09/its-devastating-outbreak-of-deadly-virus-kills-four-tigers-and-sickens-several-more-at-exotic-feline-rescue-center/

“It’s devastating.” Outbreak of deadly virus kills four tigers and sickens several more at Exotic Feline Rescue Center

By Lindsey Yates

Published: December 9, 2015, 2:52 pm  Updated: December 9, 2015, 6:50 pm

CENTER POINT, Ind. (WTHI) – An outbreak of a deadly disease has struck a Wabash Valley sanctuary. Those at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point, Indiana are fighting to keep the cats alive.

Rebecca Rizzo is Head Keeper at the rescue, and she has spent the past twelve years creating a unique bond with the animals. “Every day you come in, no matter what is going on in your life, you find a reason to smile,” but finding a reason these days is getting more and more difficult.

“There’s not a dry eye. We’re all really upset, and you’ve got to keep going because there’s other cats you need to take care of, but then you go home at night and it just hits you. We’ve done everything we can to give these cats the best life we possible can and to think of it all coming to an end,” said Rizzo.

A virus known as canine distemper has killed three tigers, one lion, and has sickened several more large cats. The outbreak of the virus — which has no cure and is usually associated with dogs.

“We did find a dead raccoon several weeks ago, which sends up flags when we find dead raccoons just randomly, it wasn’t long after that the cats started getting sick,” said Fred Froderman, the Veterinarian at the center.

The virus can quickly progress from respiratory issues to neurological problems. “The cats who have passed developed a terrible pneumonia,” said Froderman.

Although there are vaccines for dogs and ferrets, studies have shown the dog vaccine isn’t safe for big cats and no evidence the ferret vaccine is effective in big cats. “It’s just draining because our hands are tied, and there’s not a thing we can do but support them and hope they pull through,” explained Froderman.

Several tigers have caught distemper and since recovered, but there’s nothing to stop the highly contagious virus from spreading. “That’s are only option right now is to get everybody vaccinated to boost their immune systems and hope this whole things passes,” said Froderman.

In the meantime, Rizzo is just one of many workers who is cherishing the sweet moments.”You come in and see the healthy cats, and you just keep going, you find your solace in them,” she said.

Froderman told News 10, the two tigers currently in the clinic have a slim chance of survival due to old age.

The rescue center is still open, and experts say the virus poses no threat to people.

Video Link here

Later:  I just learned that the WAO cats were not affected!  Thank God!  Apparently 4 tigers and 1 lion were struck down by this horrible, horrible disease.  From what I gather EFRC is trying to keep the cats' health hush hush -- just like ISE did in the beginning when its cats were originally diagnosised with canine distemper.

I just don't understand why sanctuaries refuse to tell the truth about the health condition of its animals.  I just don't get it at all. I pray the staff can get through this difficult time.  Losing so many cats at one time is devastating.  Very devastating.

Does This Make Sense To You?

For the last several years, a comment that was made by the USDA/APHIS inspector, Dr. Pannill, stayed in my mind.  Dr. Pannill told me there were worse places than the WAO in Texas.

So that got me thinking, how many cases were brought forth to the Texas OAG Charitable Trust Division for investigation.  Surely there were "worse places" under investigation by the state for violations of the Deceptive Trade Act, right?

So I submitted a Public Information Request:

From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2015 9:07 PM
To: publicrecords
Subject: Statistical Data Pertaining Exotic or Wild Animal Sanctuaries, Shelters, and Centers

Office of the Attorney General

Public Information Office
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711 2548

Re: Public Information Act - Statistical Data Pertaining Exotic or Wild Animal Sanctuaries, Shelters, and Centers

This is a request under the Public Information Act.

Please provide the following information pertaining to civil and/or criminal investigations into wild (exotic) animal sanctuaries, shelters, and centers (non-profit organizations) from 2006-2014:

Name of Each Non-Profit Organizations Under Investigation:

Investigation periods for each Non-Profit Organization (Start/End):

Disposition of Each Investigation (ex: closed with no action, pending prosecution, MOU filed with court, etc.):

Please provide the above information by return email.

Disclosure of the requested information to me is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the Texas Office of the Attorney General/Charitable Trust Division and Criminal Investigation Division.

Thank you for our kind attention to this matter.

Regards,

Kristina Brunner

I received this response:

publicrecords 

To Kristina Brunner

 

November 6, 2015 at 1:24pm

Ms. Kristina Brunner

kbrunner@ 

VIA E-MAIL ONLY

RE: Public Information Request No. 15-42715                                 

Dear Ms. Brunner:

This e-mail is in response to your public information request to the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”), received
by the OAG on October 27, 2015.  A copy of your request follows this e-mail.

The OAG has reviewed its files and has located the attached documents that are responsive to your request.
Although the Public Information Act allows a governmental body to charge for copying documents, the attached documents are being provided to you at no charge.

If you have any questions, please contact me at publicrecords@texasattorneygeneral.gov.

Sincerely,

Kyle Gavit

Public Information Coordinator’s Office

Office of the Attorney General

TX OAG Public Information Request - 110615 

Additional Public Information - 110615 

I noticed a couple of things right off:

First, out of the five cases listed above (during the same period of the WAO case), not one single case resulted
in criminal charges filed again those who were found misappropriating charitable funds from their non-profit
companies..

Second, I requested on March 14, 2012, for the Texas OAG to investigate Carol Asvestas' latest "scam"
non-profit called Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP).  Why wasn't this "shelter" listed on this
spreadsheet; unless of course, the TX OAG refused to investigate this latest "scam". No surprise there.

I have a hard time understanding why people, who steal money from non-profit businesses, can get
away with this criminal act.  And worse, be allowed to run another "scam" non-profit.  Does this make
sense to you?