Perhaps a big cat in a “cage” doesn’t seem at first like a “good” thing … at least not for the cat (although, trust me, you want a barrier). At the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary there are sixty rescued cats enclosed, along with twelve bears. It is a VERY good thing. It’s not a zoo — it’s a refuge for “exotic animals that have been abused, abandoned, neglected, confiscated, or previously owned by people unwilling or unable to provide for these magnificent beings.”
He chuffed at us in friendly greeting
The Sanctuary is located off of Highway 114 near Boyd, Texas. I noticed it as I traveled through Wise County a few weeks ago, and made my husband take me back to tour it. The suggested donation of $20 per adult seems steep until you realize that it will feed four cats for one day. The Sanctuary is non-profit, and all of the care is provided through donations. I felt pretty good about feeding eight cats.
I think her name was Sasha
The intern who took us on the tour was a darned good storyteller, and every animal there has a story. Most of those stories are heartbreaking. Keep in mind that this is not a “zoo!” The animals have huge enclosures in which to romp. They have “toys” to maul with which to play, and most of them have swimming pools. We should all be so lucky!
My husband and I had a hard time getting good pictures, because of course we couldn’t approach the cages. We were told not to crouch to get a better photo, because the cats interpret a crouch as “stalking” and get agitated. The folks who run the place are proud that they have the most relaxed cats you will find in a sanctuary.
Don't be alarmed, that's a yawn.
They don't pose in the Texas heat.
Lexus the Lion
I don’t remember all the names, but Lexus made an impression on me. We have our own cat named “Lexus,” but he looks nothing like this one. When Lexus was a year old, he was found chained to a radiator in a Michigan apartment and sent to the sanctuary. Don’t let his laid back appearance fool you. The folks at the Sanctuary think that he is perhaps the most dangerous animal that they shelter.
The story that touched me most was of an animal we didn’t even get to see because he has “issues.” He is a bear named “Bill” who was kept in a 4 x 9 enclosure for most of his life (he was fourteen years old when he was confiscated in Gonzales County, Texas) and was only allowed out of his cage to perform at Renaissance fairs.
When the shelter got him, and put him in his wonderful new enclosure, Bill was afraid of grass. He was afraid of his water bowl, because he had only been given water from a water hose. And, it was months before Bill got the courage to walk beyond a 4 X 9 space.
Makeen
A Bengal tiger named Makeen was confiscated at the same time as Bill. His life was equally miserable, and he seems to hold a grudge against humankind. He is the animal who frightened me the most. Our guide hung back when we got near his cage. She said that Makeen took an instant dislike to her and “stalks” her when he sees her.
There are ways you can donate to help these cats live out their lives in safety, and security. If you are in the area, you can drop by to tour (take bottled water!), but check the website for tour times first. They minimize visits so as not to disturb these animals too much.
While ideally these big cats would be in the wild, The International Exotic Animal Sanctuary is the next best thing. It’s the “good” I have to share with you this Friday.
Check out other bloggers who post about their “good,” and if you want to chime in with us, let me know and I’ll add you to the list.
RV Poetry; Candid Karina; All My Great, or Not So Great Adventures; Inside Mo’s Mind; Thorne’s World; Down River Drivel; Duward Discussion; Ramblings of an Unstable Mind; Insightful Nana; Newbie Lifeline; Everyday Tarot; West of Mars; Life’s Journey; Round Circle; Barbara’s Travels; Blog of Revelation; Desert Diva; Blogjem
Y’all have a great weekend.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful pictures! So ok, there are actually a couple nice things about Texas.
LuAnn´s last blog ..Only the Good Friday – The Results are In!
There are more than a couple of good things!!!
This sanctuary is truly a good thing. There was a documentary awhile back about housecats called, “To Pet The Tiger” and how the domestic cat allows us to safely experience the wild. These magnificent animals because they have been abused probably could not survive in the wild. It is good that they have a safe space to survive at this stage in their lives. Love the pictures.
My domestic cats certainly allow me to experience “the wild” but I don’t know how “safe” it is! I wish I could have gotten pictures without the bars — but then, I might not have survived the experience.
Whoa, Shelly, your blog has changed, I like it. Yeah, we have a couple sanctuaries up here too, there’s even a rescued tiger at a local pet store where we got our kitten, who looks (and acts)like a miniature of the big cats. You’ve captured the very essence of everything wrong with our world, in your photos of those big beautiful cats, damaged and damned by us to a life behind bars.
Sarah´s last blog ..Harvest Time
Yep. Humans damaged these wonderful beasts. Most of them came to the sanctuary with bone fractures, because people were feeding them “steaks” but they need a more varied diet! They seemed content, but you and I both know they didn’t belong there.
It is a good thing that someone cares enough to build and run such sanctuaries. I imagine it take a lot to care for so many big animals…most people forget that when they buy such pets.
It sounds like you and your husband have a lot of fun touring Texas. thanks for sharing with us.
Sheila
Sheila´s last blog ..Starting an Online Business – Simple Direct Training Is The Only Way To Go
I don’t think that most of the people who had these animals as “pets” understood their needs. Our guide told us that only the animal behaviorist is allowed in the cages with them. Even behind bars, they are “wild animals!”
I didn’t realize Texas had so many wild cats consolidated in a place for public viewing. Interesting. They look healthy!
Loved the random photos. If I had more time, I’d start a FLICKR site for the same reason!
I should be putting my random photos on Flickr, but I waste my blog space for it
I was surprised to see that there are several more cat sanctuaries in this part of the state. Who knew there were so many abused big cats?
It’s awesome that people care enough to rescue these animals from deplorable conditions and provide them with a sanctuary such as this one. The way some people treat animals is sickening. Do you ever watch Animal Planet? There’s a guy who rescues chimps and has a sanctuary for them. It’s called Escape To Eden.
Jessica The Rock Chick´s last blog ..Who Wears Short Shorts?
I can watch Animal Planet, as long as the animals aren’t stalking one another
. I was glad to see this sanctuary, but wouldn’t it be nice if such places weren’t necessary?
It looks as if your travels will take you to some beautiful things to photograph:
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/08/30/0830wildflowers.html
Jamie´s last blog ..Take This Tune – Life Is A Highway
My travels always take me to beautiful places. Now if I could take beautiful photographs, we would be all set! Thanks for the link.