Greetings

Hello faithful supporters. Are you ready to enjoy the Fur Ball again this year? We are gearing up to show you a "Vegas" good time with a casino theme, silent auction, chocolate fountains, elegant dinner, and dancing the night away. Read below for details and sponsorship opportunities. We also have commentary for you on legislative issues, as well as reports of volunteers once again, making a powerful difference in the cats' lives. Thank you all for the action and compassion that you each show to us by following this e-zine.

Carole Baskin, Founder

	Fur Ball Update

Win Titanium Watch from AvantGold!

Our latest addition to the list of fabulous auction and raffle prizes at the upcoming Fur Ball is the magnificent watch pictured here, generously donated by AvantGold jewelers, located at 10330 North Dale Mabry Hwy.  The watch joins our other unique prizes like 10 tickets for Buccaneer deluxe Club Seats donated by Jeff and Brigitte Ajluni, 30 days in a Jaguar S-Type donated by Jaguar of Tampa, an hour in a military flight simulator from CSE Industries, two sets of round trip domestic plane tickets to anywhere, one set donated by AirTran and one set donated by Southwest Airlines, four days at the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya, and three week long international trips to Africa, Argentina and Italy.  To see all the prizes in more detail visit our Fur Ball page and to see them in person come to the ball!  It is great fun and a great way to support the cats!

Media and King of Beast Sponsors Support Fur Ball

We are blessed this year with a wonderful group of media and major corporate sponsors for the Fur Ball.  Cox Radio and the Tampa Tribune have returned as our radio and print media sponsors, and we are very pleased this year to add News Channel 8 as our TV sponsor this year.  The media sponsors join our King of Beasts top level corporate sponsors, Jaguar of Tampa, Regions Bank, and Teasdale Worldwide.  Our sincere thanks to all of them for their support! 

To see our growing list of sponsors click here

	Consciousness of Exploitation

The sounds of bulldozers working are heard as they pierce the morning silence. Men shouting commands echo as they hurry around at a fevered pace to meet deadlines. From morning until dark, the earth will feel the vibrations of a new business being created that will benefit humans as they will be able to drive to work in record time.

In the midst of all the excitement of building new roads, a cougar knows to find a new home.

Read more about his journey...

	Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

The Taking Action for Animals conference was held in Washington, D.C. this month and Howard, Susan and I went to learn and share.  Susan manned our booth and spoke to hundreds of people who had come from all around the country about the work Big Cat Rescue is doing to end the abuse and abandonment of big cats. 

The common thread throughout was the importance of keeping a mainstream approach.  Industries that exploit animals would like to paint all of us who care about animals as being “Animal Rights Nuts” in an effort to divert the focus from the suffering they legally cause (because we lack decent laws) to the actions of a few misguided people who have made the news by breaking the law.  Some of the legislators that we met with have seemed genuinely surprised that we are not the crazy people our opponents have portrayed us to be.  But there is an unconstitutional bill pending in congress right now that would stop us from speaking up for the animals. 

Read about how your rights are at risk here…

	Everyday Heroes

One of our most dedicated volunteers, Julie H., has recently helped to bring faces to the names and credit to the many out-front and behind the scenes volunteers via a photography project. She updated the “Meet our Volunteers” page, and has created a photo board on-site at the sanctuary of 50 yellow and green shirt level volunteers, for guests to see. Consider taking note next time you visit and give a word of thanks as you see them caring for the cats and and around the community.

Click here to view the slideshow:

We also got nice exposure due to another volunteer’s time. Patricia recently went down to The Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands Refuges. She joined with a team of volunteers to clear a panther trail and plant plants along a trail. The manager awarded her the title of "farthest traveled for the day" being she drove all the way down from Tampa. We’re proud that she could represent Big Cat Rescue to a group who has our same interests at heart.

	Recycled Supplies. Fresh Passion.

When volunteer, Merrill learned about our recycle program from the “Big Cat News” and working in the Gift Shop, it peaked her interest. She quickly learned that Big Cat Rescue offers prepaid mailer envelopes and or prepaid FedEx labels for supporters to send in their used inkjet cartridges, laser toner cartridges, cell phones, chargers, accessories for recycling. 85% of this toxic material is currently going to dumps and landfills. By participating in this program, the "junk" gets recycled and Big Cat Rescue receives a small donation for every item sent in.  

Merrill felt she could be the perfect project leader with her marketing background. She tells us "It is an excellent way to fundraise because we are offering a free service and getting $ from the recycler for it! A real “win-win”." She said that “After learning, in July, that a friend had over 50 inkjets saved up, I was convinced. Another friend with 500 employees signed on her organization to recycle with us!” Since taking over the coordinating of this project in July, our “footprint” has spread substantially. As a result, we have about 40 corporate supporters signed on already! Among them are Continental airlines, Moffitt Cancer Center, etc. Previously we received about 6 requests a week…we are now adding about 100 every month and it’s growing fast!! We now receive over $2000 monthly from this. But, we can still grow this with your help!

Merrill makes it easy on you as a potential recycler. The envelopes are printed with our logo and instructions to email ink@bigcatrescue.org for additional mailers that assures the word gets out to anyone who gets a recycle envelope. She has created a Lucite display kit. They are assembled, loaded w/ 200 bags plus brochures and available to any one who can place them in a high traffic location.  Thank you Merrill and thank you supporters!

For the complete story and the ways to get involved, click here

	Big Cats Bring Home the Bacon

No, our cats are not working 8-5 jobs, but they are reaping the benefits of those who are and are contributing on their behalf. Did you know that anyone who is a governmental employee on the Suncoast can choose us for an auto deduction from their paycheck? You can do this by selecting CFC # 5078 Big Cat Rescue. So far, the Combined Federal Campaign has reached about $7500.00 in contributions to us each year. We appreciate everyone who is generously making a difference for us in this way.

	Register to Vote

Your voice matters. At times in history, it comes down to a hand full of votes that makes the difference. We can't change things if you are not able to vote. October 10 is the deadline to register. We'll help you. You can do that here:

Click to register

	Feline Fun Fact

Cat Scratch Fever.

Clawing on trees serves a dual function for cats in the wild. In addition to pulling the old, dull covering off of the nail to reveal a new sharp point, the cat leaves a signal both by the visual of the scratch sign and the scent secreted from glands between her toes. This signal states that this is her territory. It's helpful to allow your domestic cat a place to fulfill this need in the form of a scratching post. Most cats can be easily diverted from furniture to this, thus avoiding painful declawing. A kitty's got to do what a kitty's born to do. It's just a matter of working out a win-win deal.

Help the Cats Today