Carole Baskins Diary

Today is Jamie’s 36th birthday

 

and I am so grateful that we have come together in this space and time to make a difference.

 

Jamie will be representing the cats at CITES this year and I couldn’t be more proud!  It wouldn’t be happening, if not for all the work Howie has put into it.  Judy Mills is the author of Blood of the Tiger and considered by many as the consummate expert on wild tigers.  Big Cat Rescue is paying her way and funding 1/3 to 1/2 of the side event in Johannesburg in October.  Howie has been the one to encourage her, Debbie Banks from the Environmental Investigation Agency, and Born Free to work together to raise the tiger and other big cat issue up before this international group.

 

I love that these and other former International Tiger Coalition partners are all coming together for CITES CoP17 and on International Tiger Day July 29 for all of the captive issues we are fighting.

 

Last night Howie and I watched Suffragette, a Meryl Streep film about British women fighting for the right to vote in 1912.  It gave me strength to push harder for the rights of animals to be treated with respect.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Life sure has a way of getting away from me.

I vowed to write down three things I’m thankful for every day and, as you can see, it’s been 4 days of running like crazy and not taking time for the important stuff.

 

This photo was taken by me, of Jamie, on July 5th, as I was mocking the array of projects on her desk.  At that time we didn’t know that Little Feather was about to take a hard turn for the worse and that we would be left heart broken by the end of the day.  It took me ten days to put together her video tribute, and I still cried through the whole thing.  I found some footage of Little Feather from 1993, 1994 and 1995.  I was thankful that we had video cameras back then and that some of her playfulness was captured for all time.

 

Tomorrow is Jamie’s 36th birthday.  She said she needed new sneakers, so I ordered those for her, but today I went to Macy’s and bought her a pair of emerald and Swarovski crystal earrings and a pair of blue topaz earrings.  Her taste is so much less flashy than mine, so I always have to look at something for her and say, “Would I wear it?”  If the answer is “no” then she will probably like it.  I was borderline on the blue topaz though.  I’m glad that I can afford to give her things that she wouldn’t buy for herself.

 

Right now I am uploading videos to the Amazon AWS cloud to preserve them.  Trundy, Katie and Candy are here decorating the Lion’s Lair Party Pavilion for a baby shower for Brielle tonight.  I am extremely thankful that Jamie has chosen to have her tubes tied (decades ago) and won’t be bringing children into this dangerous and climate challenged world.  I try not to think about the world that Dule, Caden and whatever Katie’s calling her new baby, are about to inherit.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

I’m thankful that government agencies do anything, although it isn’t much.

 

I sent the following to USDA and the FWC on 6/25/16 along with screen shots of the conversation Gloria had on her Facebook wall to back it up:

 

 According to Gloria Johnson's Facebook page, she appears to have imported a 5 week old bobcat kitten from Lynn Culver across state lines.  https://www.facebook.com/gloria.johnson.167527?fref=nf

 

 Does she have a license and proper facilities to house a bobcat?

 

 Did she obtain a proper import permit?

 

 How can a bobcat kitten, who is too young for their shots, be transported into Florida?  

 

 It was my understanding that she lost her tigers due to being unable to provide proper care and housing.  A bobcat is smaller, but needs far more than the confines of her home.

 

 

They never seem to take any action on complaints, so I didn’t expect a call back, but I got one from xxx last week.  He said Gloria did not have a license to possess bobcats, that she did not obtain a legal import permit to bring the bobcat into the state and that the fact that the kitten has not gotten his shots yet wasn’t their problem but that USDA was looking into that.

 

“So, what are you going to do?” I asked.

 

“Gloria has the proper facilities, so she can apply for a Class II license to keep the bobcat.”

 

“Where will the bobcat go until that is done?” I pressed.

 

“It’s staying with her,” he said sheepishly and then tried to say it was the inspector’s discretion to do so.  I don’t want the bobcat, as that is another 20 year commitment for us, but I’m sure the kitten won’t live long with someone I believe to be a drug addict.

 

The USDA hasn’t, and won’t respond to me about the bobcat, but at least they are finally taking some action on a 70 page briefing we gave them in 2012 on why it is already a violation of the Animal Welfare Act to pull cubs and use them as pay to play props.  Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

 

I’m thankful that my parents are as sharp as they are and that they take so much of the day to day burdens off me so I can focus on ending the trade in exotic cats.  Sometimes, my mother’s flakiness worries me, but for the most part she’s sharp and both are extremely hard working.  I keep thinking that my father’s immobility will make it impossible for him to work, which would kill him, but every day I see him filling in different rolls that I would not expect.  He’s adaptive, like a cat.

 

I’m glad my brother was so well loved as a police officer.  In that role he met a highway planner named Gareth Klotz, who was tasked with lighting an intersection in Florida Panther territory at SR 29 @ I-75.  The Feds mandated that all intersections be lit, but the “state” was pushing back and saying that you can’t light the roads in FL panther habitat or it will kill the cats.  Klotz asked Chuck for a meeting with me, but this is really Jamie’s domain so I brought her.

 

Jamie was prepared for the meeting and brought a list of Florida panther deaths in 2016, along with where they happened.  As we were looking at the maps Jamie said, “It would be interesting to know if the locations where Florida panthers were killed by cars were lit or not.”  She and Garrett mused over whether or not the information, from the accident reports, and the access to google earth, would yield that information.  Garrett needed our final report by tomorrow, but Jamie got right on it last week and on Thursday we sent him our letter.

 

He tweaked it and submitted it as follows:

 

Cumber and Fair has added “Big Cat Rescue” CEO Carole Baskin and President Jamie Murdock to provide specific evaluation on the proposed lighting effects on the panthers and preserve area. Carole and Jamie bring to our team 38 years and 24 years’ experience, respectively, with the behavioral nature of exotic cat species, as well as the rehabilitation and release of native Florida bobcats as licensed wildlife rehabbers.

 

Jamie and Carole own and operate the Big C

I’m thankful that Howie is a “people person”

For the past several weeks he’s been trying to figure out a way to get the county to let us use the paved road Chris Daye is building for our front gate.  We spend thousands of dollars every year maintaining the quarter mile long, dirt road entrance, called Easy Street.  Because of the materials available to us are so full of junk, we end up with a lot of punctured tires, no matter how diligent we are at pulling out what we see.

 

Howie has arranged breakfasts, lunches and formal meetings with Chris, Adam Gormly, the attorney for the county, and the primary decision makers at the county.  Yesterday at 9 am he met with County Commissioner, Ken Hagen, who has always been supportive, and explained the situation to him.  It was good timing too, as Trey Traviosi submitted his traffic plan and modification request an hour later.  After that submission we would not have been allowed to have the ear of a commissioner.

 

The issues is that Trey just got approved to build a medical facility at the corner of Gunn and Citrus Park Drive.  Chris had already been required to improve that intersection to handle the three buildings he was putting on Easy St.  An office building that is done, a Marriott hotel that is under construction now, and another hotel in the future.  Chris says he would let our traffic come down his paved road, whether the county would approve it or not, but now he’s saying the county won’t let him bring the pavement to us, and won’t allow us to use the road.  That doesn’t make sense, because we are beloved in the county, so Howie is interceding.

 

Today he’s giving a private tour to Trey, so I am glad that Trey is willing to come see us and hope he will feel something for the cats.

 

To that end, I’m really thankful that it isn’t raining and that they chose early morning because it’s been 90-94 degrees every day by noon.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Snow Leopard Letter to the Editor

kvalnews, Cat

In this story:  bandon-animal-park-welcomes-endangered-snow-leopard-as-its-newest-addition

 

your reporter Jessica Waite, did a fluff piece that promotes cub petting which is currently under USDA review for a rule change due to the fact that the only way these backyard breeders and roadside zoos can use cubs is to pull them from their mothers when they are only hours or days old.  More about all of the abuse that entails at bigcatrescue.org/cubs

 

But the bigger story might be how West Coast Game Park Safari got their hands on a $10,000 snow leopard cub?  If you contact Oregon's Dept. of Natural Resources, or Fish and Game Dept. to ask to see the USDA import permit for such a rare and thus expensive cat, I'm pretty sure you will see the cat originated in California, Florida or Nevada as there are no known snow leopard breeders in Oregon.

 

It's my understanding that an endangered species, like a snow leopard must have approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be transported across state lines.  The requirement for issuance of a Captive Bred Wildlife Permit and transfer is supposed to be predicated on that activity enhancing the species in the wild.  Using a cub for pay to play sessions is NOT conservation.

 

Given the young age of the cub, it is apparent that the breeder had to have broken this new USDA mandate of leaving the cub with their mother for at least the first four weeks.  Any cub left with their mother that long would not allow humans to chain them and pass them around as if they were toys.

 

4/3/2016 USDA cracks down on abuse of cubs under the age of four weeks.  In response to a 2012 legal petition filed by The Humane Society of the United States, World Wildlife Fund, Detroit Zoological Society, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Born Free USA, Big Cat Rescue, Fund for Animals and Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance making clear that exhibitors violate the Animal Welfare Act by allowing members of the public to handle or feed infant exotic cats like tigers, lions, cheetahs, jaguars or leopards.  Read more http://bigcatrescue.org/usda-announces-partial-cub-petting-ban/

 

Every year they have plenty of cubs to pimp out, but then they disappear.  Cubs are only valuable until they are about 12 weeks old and too old, by USDA guidelines, for public petting.  Where do all of those cubs go?  Legitimate sanctuaries don't take cubs off the hands of abusers, just to allow them to continue the abuse.

 

Please follow up this fluff piece with a real story about how this sort of thing is happening, despite laws and rules to the contrary.  My guess is that you will see Donation checked on the USDA form and no one gives away snow leopards.

 

For the cats,  Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue

"Judge me by the enemies I have made."  - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Author of Big Cat Care - How to Start a Sanctuary

12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL  33625

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic So

Jamie’s Tribute to Little Feather

 

I believe in butterflies.

 

I knew this day was coming, I dreaded it every second I spent with you these past few months. Knowing that soon we would stare into each other's eyes for the last time left a pit in my stomach and an ache in my heart. We had something few can even begin to understand. I will miss our silent conversations. You're warm inviting gaze and deep rumbling purr made even the worst days bearable. Twenty three years, we have grown up and older together. You are my sister. Your passing has left a hole so big in my heart and weighs on me so heavily I feel like I can't breath. I spent all of last night holding on so tightly to that final moment we shared. Staring into each other's eyes for one last time. I can't even begin to accept that I will never see your face again.

 

A long long time ago after the loss of one of my first sisters I was visited by a beautiful butterfly. She flew close to me and circled all around as if showing me how beautiful and free she was. I felt my sister's spirit and knew that she was happy and ready to move on to her next life.

Since then I can't help but notice I am always visited by a butterfly shortly after losing another of my kin.

 

This morning I was on the look out for you. I could not wait to see your fancy wings and acrobatic prowess. In my yard by the creek, on my drive to work. But you were not there. I was afraid I missed you.

 

Tears streamed down my cheeks as the sadness washed over me. But then suddenly, off in the distance, you exploded out grass. The lake behind you shone brightly in the morning sun. You were not alone. You danced wildly about with another. The two of you flew high and low across the green field. Your tiny brown and orange wings speckled with flecks of black. You flittered here and there, making your way to me, free of the debilitating limitations of your previous vessel. Then just as quickly as you had appeared you were gone.

 

I felt as though I would make it through this day. However moments later that loss crept back into my heart. At that very instant you appeared again and continued to follow me throughout the morning until you were satisfied that I would be ok. Finally we said goodbye in our silent way and you were gone once again.

 

Goodbye my sweet. Live wild and free.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Your Wings Were Ready But My Heart Was Not

 

Susann Mesna, one of our explore.org webcam viewers captured this poignant moment as Jamie tried to hold on to Little Feather Bobcat as she slipped away from us.

 

Last night, I walked out of the hospital, and around behind the generator, so no one could hear me wail in grief.

 

A lot of cats have brought me to my knees with that sort of crying that just can’t be controlled.  I usually have to be so far from everyone that they don’t hear me, and felt fortunate that the generator was still bellowing away after losing Little Feather.  It was getting late and Jamie, who I suspect did her own version of screaming pain inside the hospital, as everyone had clearly been sent out, offered to let me drive her Camaro, Battle Cat, home.  She could ride with Justin.  I declined, knowing I’d cry all the way home, and thought I’d be less of a threat on my bike.

 

I managed a stiff upper lip with Howie, saying Little Feather had to be euthanized and then launching into the day’s conversations over the new ticketing software.  I cried myself to sleep once the lights were off.  If he didn’t know, he suspected my sadness and slept near me all night.  I’m thankful for a husband who knows how to show love without smothering me.

 

I was very thankful last night for the Ultrasound machine.  Dr. Justin kept poking Little Feather with needles trying to draw off the fluids that were drowning her, but couldn’t.  The Ultrasound helped him guide the needle into the pockets of fluid more effectively.  Jamie told me later, by text message, that she had 600 ML of bloody fluid in her chest, that her liver looked abnormal, as did her pancreas, and she had a mammary mass and one in her lung.  While it pains me to hear all of the issues our precious little bobcat was dealing with, it did help me to know that we did the right thing in ending her life.  I never want these cats to suffer any more than they already do by being held against their will.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Love letter to Jamie

I've never had a clue how to express it to you, but I love you beyond what words can say.  I just wrote the following on Little Feather's tribute page:

 

Regrets.  I knew I would have them.  I've known for 23 years, but now that is mostly what I feel.  When Little Feather first arrived and was so sick, I had to carry her in a pouch in my shirt because I still had to work.

 

I had to run a real estate business, care for a husband suffering from Alzheimers, and care for more than 60 other exotic cats who had been rescued from fur farms and taxidermists.  Jamie was only 13 and was the most help I had.  It would be three more years before my family would join us in this endeavor.

 

I adored Little Feather and wanted so much just to enjoy her kittenhood, to spend time with her, and others, like Windsong, Raindance, Hercules and Catera, but was always being pulled in so many directions that I never had that luxury.  I always knew I would regret it.  I knew I'd wake up one day and that opportunity would be lost forever.

 

I tried to spend time with each of them, and all of the others that I loved in each and individual ways, but it was never enough.  The phone would ring, a text would arrive, some other cat would need assistance and the time was always cut short.

 

Today as I saw Jamie struggling to deal with the loss of a sister, a child to her, a constant in her life for all of her teens and adulthood, I took it to heart that I need to make more time for those I love because I don't want to regret a minute of my life that wasn't spent showing that I love them.

 

Today I wrote up my speech for tomorrow’s USDA call

What animals should APHIS consider including under the definition of dangerous animals?

 

I believe it is easier to exclude animals from the definition of dangerous animals, when it comes to felids.  Because there is no known vaccine against rabies in exotic cats, ALL cat species, other than Felis catus or Felis silvestris catus, should be classified as dangerous animals.  Failure to classify them as dangerous, implies that they are not dangerous.

 

The very meaning of the word “dangerous” is: Being able or likely to do harm.

 

Virtually every state requires that exotic cats, of all species, other than domestic cats, be kept caged.  That is because they are dangerous, both to humans they may bite, scratch or kill and to the environment.

 

Many states require that domestic cats be vaccinated against rabies and even more require that domestic cats coming into their state be vaccinated first, but there is no known, effective vaccine against rabies in non domestic cats.

 

Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain. Symptoms include: violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Once symptoms appear, the result is nearly always death.

 

That’s a pretty awful death and is easily preventable by classifying all non domestic cats as dangerous, and thus not suitable as pets or pay to play props.

 

As for environmental issues, there isn’t a week that goes by, that we don’t get a call from someone reporting a cougar in their yard.  Usually it is a bobcat, or a HUGE domestic cat that is likely the cast off from the hybrid cat trade.  1st generation hybrids, between domestic cats and wild cats, are often bigger than either parent and never work out as pets.

 

These cats often escape or are released into the environment and then breed with feral cats, causing danger to the public and to the local eco systems who are not designed for these super predators.

 

Back in the 60s and 70s, when the Animal Welfare Act was passed, no one would have dreamed that people would try to make pets out of wild cats, so the antiquated rules have not kept up with protecting wild animals from the abuses they suffer today.  I am glad that you are considering rule changes and hope that you will drastically impro

Today we celebrate Independence and this time next year the big cats will celebrate it too.

So many good things are happening in the world as information is available to the masses.  Every week comes with new announcements such as another state enacting a bullhook ban, to keep circus acts from bringing elephants to town, or another county announces that they will protest the bear hunt in FL.  Our 3 prong approach to ending big cat abuse barrels forward and the end is in sight.

 

Facebook has proven to be a major ally with their recent launch of Facebook LIVE.  I’ve been trying to do at least one a day for Big Cat Rescue and every other day or so for explore.org.  The 15-20 minute ones are getting about 35,000 views and claim a reach of 750,000 to 900,000. Compared to my DailyBigCat YouTube account getting 800-1200 views for video I have to edit, FB is allowing me to reach a lot more people.  Since they can respond in real time, it’s like a conversation where they type and I answer by voice while the camera is showing one of the cats.

 

The one downfall was the sound, so I bought a $500 mic and it is awesome!  The audience has responded enthusiastically.  I am very happy to have these tools.  I weave in the story of the cat being shown, and tell about some issue that is relative to them, and then give a call to action.  Yesterday it was some nitwit running a fair who was allowing Dade City’s Wild Things to bring baby wild animals to the fair to pimp out for photos.  A lot of the viewers said they send her an email.  I’ll be curious to know if it did any good.

 

I had a long talk w/ Max Valverde of FareHarbor yesterday.  Even though I chose his competitor, Peek, he was still trying to help us get our phone line diverted back to us from Zerve.  He had given Zerve over $100,000 to keep the lights on from July 5-8 so that customers could make the moves they needed after the holidays.  He seems to have high integrity; something I don’t feel like I experience at Peek.  I chose Peek because I felt they were more stable, had more staffing, and have better reporting.  

 

Zerve had a  34 million dollar infusion of capitol, according to Max, and burned through it trying to become the next TripAdvisor w/ booking capacity.  FareHarbor was bootstrapped by him and his partner and had refused 20 million in VC $ because what the VC wanted them to do was cannibalize the competition by undercutting prices and then, once they were the only game in town, have them jack the rates up. They didn’t want to treat their customers that way and refused the money.

 

I can’t wait for this holiday to be over so I can get some work done in switching our 888 number from Zerve back to us and so that I can switch Zerve.com/bigcatrescue back to BigCatRescue.org/tickets  I’ve had trouble with my credit card bills not getting to me too, so my card is overdue again, but I can’t get the bank on the phone till Monday to see about setting up autopay from my bank.

 

Meanwhile all of this stress to retain our $900,000 annual tour revenue is a nice problem to have.  Not having the revenue at all would have been much more stressful.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, v

Zerve to PeekPro Transition

A few years ago when one of our staff quit to go help her family business, I was able to reassign all of her duties, except for handling our reservations.  No one wanted to handle the phone and deal with the public.  Miraculously, Zerve contacted me and told me about their tour booking software.  I told them they were hired if they would let us redirect our phone to them, so that we didn’t have to deal with the calls at all.  It wasn’t part of their service, but they loved what we do and we would be a lot of money for them, so they obliged.

 

On the Thursday before this July 4th long holiday weekend, Zerve emailed me and said their last day of business would be on July 5.  I went into a two day frenzy, that just ended an hour ago, where I had to sort out all of the competition, compare plans and benefits, hired PeekPro.com and overhauled our website to create pages for all of our tours and embed all of the new activities and rules I created in PeekPro.

 

So, I am thankful to Zerve for the years of great service they gave us.  Our tour revenue blossomed during that time because they would upsell guests to our more expensive tours.  I am thankful to PeekPro for providing a service that we easy to learn and implement with only an hour of training.  I’m even thankful for Fare Harbor, who I did not select, but who gave me answers to a lot of questions I didn’t even know I had.  One of their sales reps told me that cub petting schemes at T.I.G.E.R.S. and at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation were raking in over a million dollars a year.  I tried to get both Peek Pro and Fair Harbor to take the position that they would not enable cub handling operations due to the cruelty I felt it involved, but neither wanted to let go of the money to be made off the backs of the cubs.  

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk