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January 25th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dearest Friends,

As we embark on a new year, we stop and reminisce about all the events of the past year, some good, some bad and some heartbreaking. If you have followed our newsletters, you too understand the trials and tribulations we have gone through. Of course we know we could have never gotten through without your continuing friendship, support and your prayers. Thank you.

Watching the new rescue cats heal, physically and mentally has been more than rewarding, it has been a blessing.

Watching T.J. beam again when friends come to visit is a miracle that we will never forget. His future looked very bleak 3 months ago; in humans, with the same condition that T.J. had, under intensive care with expert physicians, there still is only a 50/50 chance of survival. We knew the chances of losing him were very high, still we couldn’t, nor did we ever consider, giving up on the “little guy”. We were elated when he proved the doctors wrong, once again we want to thank all of the veterinarians that were involved. We still need to monitor him closely due to the severity of this problem just in case it returns and because of the compromising lung capacity it has left behind.

With your support, this year, we were able to donate over $30,000 to educational tours. We were also able to build a new enclosure more suitable for Sheena, who can’t walk very easily uphill or on rocks due to the fact she has been declawed on all 4 paws. We still haven’t got all the medical bills paid yet, but we are trying to chip away at them slowly. Our internship program is growing and with your help we were able to house and support 10 college students from various Universities this year.

We have been working very closely with legislation to help change the laws for these animals and this past year it finally passed in the House. Unfortunately, too much opposition is preventing it from going to the Senate. We will keep fighting till we get the Large Carnivore Bill passed. Your support really makes a difference and together we know it will happen.

We have an exciting and costly year ahead of us, as most of you may already know, we will be moving. Due to unfortunate circumstances we are being forced off the land. The idea, let alone the expense of moving and rebuilding, is a bit overwhelming.

The only light at the end of this tunnel is the fact that we may find have a piece of land that will be owned by the foundation and nobody will be able to prevent us from finally having an educational center that we have wanted for so many years. With more land we could help more animals that are in dire need of help, and expand our education programs

Of course the road will not be paved, we know, but with wonderful supporters like you we will prevail. The “Kids” and we have made many dear friends here and we will miss you terribly, but we look forward to you visiting us at our new facility. The tigers never forget their friend’s faces and neither do we and who knows maybe someday we will be able to find a location around here and open another facility.

January 10th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Greetings!

It is that time of year again, when days get shorter and nights get colder. We would like to thank the many friends and supporters who have helped us throughout our trials with T.J., he seems to be getting stronger everyday! Now for those medical expenses!

It has always amazed us how animals know their limitations, and how to handle situations that most humans have to be taught. During T.J.’s recovery, we had a friend, who has been in the medical field, comment on how careful he is getting up and lying down. She said normally you have to teach a person how to sit up and lay down after a surgery like that, but T.J. seemed to know exactly how to do it without any help from us!

Vincent & Paul

The kids are all settling in their new straw beds. They too love to cuddle when it is cold out, especially the boys. We are always waking up to Vincent, Max and /or Paul snuggled together. Considering they are supposed to be solitary animals in the wild, makes one wonder if their world was not that hazardous would they stay solitary?

Dee

Dee loves her house with the new straw bedding, and Sheena gets a horse mat with a blanket which we change every day. She truly has become the biggest house cat we have. While we were sleeping downstairs with T.J., she would sleep right next to our beds, in her pen, of course. When we moved the television down there to keep us awake, she would watch TV with us and fall asleep.

We haven’t seen Mariah & Sierra cuddle yet, but, then again, they’re girls.

Sierra

Banshee has been more active with the colder weather, likes to show off a little more for friends. She too gets a blanket in her house, although she seems to think she should have hers changed more often, so she urinates on it to remind us.

Of course now that it is getting colder, their appetite is ravenous. The girls are eating almost 10lbs of food a day, except for Banshee she still eats 2-3lbs, and the boys are up to 15lbs.

There is nothing more rewarding than watching these abused animals blossom into beautiful, happy, sometimes very silly, thankful souls.

We wish you all a safe and Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!

Keep checking back for upcoming events in November.

October 22nd, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (1)

TJ in Surgery

On September 2, 2009 we were told by our veterinarians that T.J. needs to go to the University of Missouri to give him a fighting chance since the fluid kept coming back. On Sept 4, 2009, T.J. had an eight hour operation after having radiographs, an echogram and an ultrasound.

They cut his breast bone open and pulled out a foot long mass from his thoracic cavity, which they were able to finally analyze.

Dr. William Fales , a microbiologist worked his magic and found it was an anaerobic, gram stain negative bacteria. Finally an answer, with all the other many tests coming back negative, we finally knew what we were dealing with. Dr. Tony Mann DVM and Dr. Craig Franklin DVM performed the thoracotomy. They were amazing!! Neither had worked on a tiger before and they preformed like this was a common practice. The whole medical staff went above and beyond to help our beautiful boy and we can’t thank them enough. We would also like to thank all of the receptionists, the administrative staff, the students, the interns, the sanitation dept., the security guards. A special appreciation goes out to the guard who opened up the equine center for us in the middle of the night. A warm thank you for the hospitality and for keeping us constantly informed of T.J.’s eight hour surgery, goes to Carolyn A. Gallo.

TJ in Surgery

We would also like to thank Douglas A. Tindall for his continuing support. T.J. was put on Clindamycin, he has to take thirty capsules a day, but the wonderful news is that we don’t have to dart him anymore!!! What a relief for Keith and T.J.. Poor guy, the only time T.J. had the strength to chuff was when he was begging Keith not to dart him.

It has been two weeks since the surgery and T.J.’s bruising has gone away, his appetite came back and for the first time, in two months, last Sunday he wanted to participate in a Feeding Tour! Mariah and he are sharing the new enclosure since it is flat, we figured it would be easier on him than trying to climb up and down. Mariah doesn’t seem to mind sitting in her house while T.J. is playing circus cat climbing on top of the overturned pool in her room. In the evening after dinner Mariah gets the enclosure for the night. T.J. is getting more active everyday, chuffing more, eating more, but we still are concerned if the fluid is still accumulating. We are all watching him very closely to hear or see any signs of it coming back for that still is a possibility.

We want to thank the many supporters who have found it their hearts to give, so far we have raised over $1000, unfortunately with the surgery and all the specialized care he needs, our costs have risen over $15,000 and we are still in desperate need for more help. Please find it your selves to give, even if it is $20, it would be greatly appreciated!! National Tiger Sanctuary is a non-profit 501 c3 organization which means you may be able to use it as a tax deduction (according to the IRS regulations). You will receive a tax receipt in the beginning of the new year if applicable.

September 22nd, 2009 | Category: NTS News | Comments (4)