If one is going to have a big cat rescue, one is going to have just that; cats. Tons and tons of cats. While the goal mammal may be significantly bigger than their domestic feline brethren, ordinary cats are a great place to get a feel for a fraction of the weight it will take to own an entire rescue facility. Therefore, over the weekend, I decided to help a friend and see what it would be like to take care of five cats; one adult, three adolescents under a year, and one kitten, to be precise. Douglass was the kitten accompanying me in the mind boggling experience whom I worried about making friends, but it worked. Cats are, after all, fairly self-sufficient so long as they have food, water, and a litter box. Regardless, the house was constantly bustling with cat-nipped out yowls and the occasional hiss from a disgruntled sleeper. The work was a lot to keep up with, as was keeping the peace, but the experience truly showed me that help never hurts, that any number of hands beyond two are always welcome. After spending a rough accumulation of 8 hours of tending to, cleaning up after, training, loving on, and losing my mind with five cats, I discovered that my goal is not a goal I can do on my own, but one that will require the help and patience of others.
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Because of my interest in beginning a Big Cat Rescue as well as a common animal shelter to begin with, I decided that I was in need of responsibility for the next best thing; an animal of my own. In November of 2017, I had to make the difficult decision of having my 14-year-old childhood cat euthanized. As a result, I found myself in a profound depression that not only took a toll on my daily life, but my studies as well. Finally, six months later, I coaxed myself in to the idea of getting a new kitty, one that would be my full responsibility. Additionally, the idea was that it would prepare me for the ultimate creation of a shelter and then on to a reserve as I would see what kinds of responsibilities I would have with one cat, and maximize it by hundreds to try and understand the responsibility of an entire center. I went to the Washington County Johnson City Animal Center to spend a day of 7 hours helping with the cats, dogs, and small animals that they had. I additionally began asking questions such as what it takes to keep up with the animals every day. The most profound discovery I made was that it costs $50 a DAY, at minimum, for the center to provide litter to their cats. That equals $1,500 a month, which equals $18,000 a year...Just for cat litter. That excludes food for each species, medical bills, staff payment, building payments, etc. As it turns out, to help animals, I would be doing my own wallet a disservice. But, that may all be worth it in the end. I ended up getting a small, 5-week-old kitten on April 19th and named him Douglass. I have paid for all expenses pertaining to him, which are already racking up in numbers. But, I am making motions in discovering the full weight of having a Big Cat Rescue, as well as a simple animal shelter in general, and it is indeed a lot to bear. Douglass is just the right place to get me started in addition to taking business classes and researching.
This evening I attended the Joy Harjo concert, where the Native American writer, poet, storyteller, and singer spent an hour and a half reading and singing some of her most profound pieces; she even played the native flute and left the audience in awe. My favorite story that she told was a piece she had just written and not even published yet about the death of her mother and what all she did after the heart wrenching experience. She told of the importance of native custom, how she bathed her mother and acknowledged through flashbacks so many different times in her life where she learned a lesson from her mother. The emotional piece made me cry on more than one occasion, but was truly beautiful to hear. It was remarkable to see how much and how quickly life can pass us by before we are able to react, and reiterated to me just how important family and loved ones are. The longer our hearts beat on this earth, the faster the hands on a clock travel in endless orbit.
Since I have an aunt and uncle who self-own a veterinary clinic, I decided to ask both of them for their opinions on opening up a big cat rescue or a shelter to start smaller. While both agreed that it was a terrific idea, they did not hesitate to bring to light the extensive care and financial problems that would come as a result. I discussed with them the difficulties they faced as a self-run business, and the root of all its evil is, you guessed it, money. Resources, such as people, are also an important variable to keep in mind, as are laws and restrictions. The couple, in addition to my mom, suggested that the best idea may be to start with having an animal I am fully responsible for, and seeking to work or intern at a rescue center that already exists so that I could see if what comes with the whole package is something I truly want in life. These personal "interviews" took roughly an hour each, adding up to 3 hours total.
Tonight I attended storyteller Bil Lepp's concert, "Raised on Hose Water." Being that I found ETSU in lieu of attending the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, I have actually heard Lepp preform before and am close with his two children, Ellie and Noah. Lepp told a total of four stories, each lasting roughly 20 or so minutes. The first was about a Methodist-Baptist church rivalry, the second about the West Virginia geysers, the third about a trip to the dentist, and the fourth about three skunks and four counselors. Lepp is a hysterical, artistic fibber who easily spins everyday scenarios into tales of unimaginable fun. Ultimately, this was a terrific experience and I loved it as much as I always have.
Because I having a Big Cat Rescue would entail that it is my own business, I decided to look into the classes that ETSU provides Business as both majors and minors. I spoke with my advisor about the possibility and looked into possible classes that I could take, researching the benefits and relation of each one. This took roughly three and a half hours, only to discover I didn't have the prerequisite math class to be able to take the class next semester. BUT, I will still be shooting for the classes in the Spring of 2019!
By now it may seem like an obvious notion, but today I spent five hours helping out at the Washington County Johnson City Animal Center cleaning kennels, walking dogs, feeding and watering animals, playing with animals, etc. I additionally spent another four hours over the past weekend helping out at a shelter in my hometown called Wescott Acres tending to dogs, cats, horses and a donkey.
I have researched and discovered that obtaining and just "getting" a Big Cat rescue is not as easy as it sounds. You have to wok your way up to such exotic animals and understand domestic animals before you can try to help a potentially deadly predator. There are so many liabilities and outlets to pursue, TO INCLUDEHow to Rescue a Big Cat
Bathing Caging Claws Emergency Burns CPR Dehydration Frostbite Heatstroke Poisons Plants Snakes Restraining and Restraint Part 2 Shock Wounds Kittens and Cubs Bacteria Feeding Cubs Formulas Tube Feeding Housing Manners Litterbox Parasites and Fleas Pills Rehabilitating Vaccinations Acquisitions Dispositions Collection Hazard Communication Program Master Plan MSDS Sanctuary Standards Exotic Cat Standards Accidents Animal Contact Animal Health Basic Husbandry Cat-A-Tats or Big Cat Cages Conservation Emergencies Enrichment Escapes Feed Cats Hurricane Preparedness Hygiene and Pests Job Requirements Operant Conditioning Quarantine Records Restraint Rules & Safety Toxins Volunteer Management Anti Harassment Board Governance Bylaws and Articles CEO Performance CEO Reports to Board Code of Honor Conflict of Interest Disaster Plan Document Retention & Destruction IRS Determination Letter Master Plan Non Discrimination Principles_Reference Whistleblower Protection This list came from bigcatrescue.org in a step-by-step guide book on how to develop one's own sanctuary. After reading and completing it in roughly 6.5 hours, I discovered many different legal aspects and issues that I was unaware of. Additionally, it helped me realize that before I begin my own sanctuary, I may want to try and work at one that already exists to see how intensive the care and owning of a business is. I intend to design a Big Cat Reserve that provides refuge to exotic animals bought as pets, to fight, etc. I am hoping that in the future I will be able to actually open up my own reserve and this will help me understand the liabilities, expenses, regulations, etc. I will have multiple aspects to research;
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The above slideshow is of the many different animals, both endangered and not, in their natural environment of Kenya, Africa.
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