I have that sick, acid feeling in the pit of my stomach

A rescue is underway and the anticipation and concern for the safe travels of the animals kept me from sleeping last night and from concentrating today.  On July 31, 2015 Bobbi Brink wrote:

 

Hi Carole,  Just wondering if you have any space for Tigers out of Ohio I can transport to you? - Bobbi Brink. Founder Director. Lions Tigers & Bears. "Where Every Life Counts"

www.lionstigersandbears.org  619-659-8078

 

I responded by saying:  We do have space and can provide transport via Loving Friends as long as the cats are confiscations, or the owner will contract with us to never possess wild cats again.

 

A year earlier, on Oct. 24, 2014 Bobbie had asked if we would join her in writing the Gov. of OH about Tiger Ridge/ Kenny Hetrick because Kenny Hetrick, owner of Tiger Ridge Exotics, a backyard menagerie in Ohio said, "The only thing I know to do is have my veterinarian come out here and put everybody to sleep end it right here."  We went a step further and set up an alert driving thousands of people to write the state of OH.

 

Dear Friends,  Kenny Hetrick is the owner of six tigers, two lions, a liger, black leopard, Kodiak bear and a hybrid wolf in Ohio. He was served a ten day notice to relinquish his animals or have them seized by the state and face criminal charges. Hetrick has deliberately refused to comply with new laws enacted through Ohio SB 310, the Ohio Dangerous Wild Animals Act, which require private owners to register their animals, obtain permits and insurance and meet certain caging standards. He has had two years, but he waits until now when he is on the verge of losing his animals to begin to take action -we're saying "enough is enough"! It is time to do the best thing for his animals and get them to a reputable sanctuary where they can receive the care they need. Lions, Tigers & Bears is even willing to help! We have offered to provide medical care and a one-way ticket in the LTB Rescue Hauler to reputable sanctuaries. We have even found sanctuaries who have agreed to take his animals. It is now up to him to agree to accept this help.

 

Today I am writing you to ask a favor. Will you please write a letter to the Governor of Ohio, John Kasich, and the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, David T. Daniels, asking that they enforce Ohio SB 310 by securing Hetrick's animals immediately and ensure no harm comes to them before they can be rehomed to reputable sanctuaries? A sample letter template is below. All letters need to be submitted by 5:00 pm CST on Tuesday, October 28th, 2014.

 

Media reports are referring to Tiger Ridge Exotics as a sanctuary. Hetrick's facility is not a sanctuary. A true sanctuary does not buy, sell, breed or exploit their animals. A sanctuary is "a place of safety, a safe haven." Hetrick has had dozens of USDA violations cited against his facility. Hetrick has deliberately defied the law for the past two years and has threatened to kill his animals rather than see them taken off the property.

 

We need to tell Governor Kasich and Director Daniels that Hetrick's time is up and it is now time to do what is best for these animals and ensure the public's safety. Enforce the law, secure this facility and get these animals to a lifetime home at a proper sanctuary immediately.

 

A letter is always more powerful and effective if it is written in your own words. If you have the time, please feel free to use the sample letter as a guideline for your own letter. Whether you submit your own letter or use the sample letter template, we want Governor Kasich and Director Daniels to know where we stand. Thank you for your support and concern for the welfare of these innocent animals. - Bobbi Brink, Founder/Director  Lions, Tigers & Bears

 

So 3 weeks go by and I don’t hear anything from Bobbi, and then she texts me on Aug 21, 2015 and says the three tigers from OH that she was taking to Shambala, near her in CA, has reneged on