Hurricane Report

Big Cat Rescue Watches Out for Hurricane Irene

2011-08-22T20:41:00.002-04:00

Irene's forecast path shifted away from South Florida today and it appeared to aim instead at the Bahamas and South Carolina - as it continues to intensify tonight.

Irene is now a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in a 7:50 p.m. update.

More details will follow in a special advisory, the hurricane center said.

The 5 p.m. advisory moved the forecast cone for Irene - which became the season's first hurricane this morning - even further east, and off nearly all of Florida. All, except coastal southeast Florida.

Irene was growing not just in punch but in breadth, with tropical storm force winds extending more than 180 miles.

That means that, even if it stays offshore, Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast could come under tropical storm winds later this week, forecasters said.

And with the system still as far away today as is Arkansas, and South Florida still well inside its forecast cone, there was plenty of time for its track to shift back toward Florida - perhaps with little time to react.

"In the middle of the ocean, who cares?" National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said. "But if you've got something that's close to the coastline, a shift of even 100 miles to the left would have a dramatic impact."

If a tropical storm or hurricane watch were to be posted for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, that would happen some time on Tuesday, the National Weather Service's Pablo Santos said.

"South Florida is definitely not out of the woods on this yet," Santos, meteorologist-in-charge at the weather service's Miami office, said this morning. "Not until it gets past our latitude."

Just in case, on Monday, leaders of towns, agencies and hospitals were pulling out their "emergency plan" binders.

Irene had moved off Puerto Rico, where it downed trees, flooded streets and cut power to more than a million people. There were no reports of deaths or major injuries.

Irene's top sustained winds at 5 p.m. still were 80 mph. Forecasters had looked to the mountains of Hispaniola to tear up the storm's circulation, but it skirted to the north.

By the time it passes through the central and northern Bahamas on Thursday, top winds were predicted to be around 115 mph. That would make Irene a minimal Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

"All of the ingredients are conducive for Irene to intensify over the next few days," hurricane center specialist Lixion Avila wrote in a 5 p.m. forecast discussion.

Forecasters expressed concern for the impact on Nassau and surrounding islands.

And by Saturday morning, the hurricane center's "skinny line" - and forecasters warn it is only an average of odds - would bring Irene around the South Carolina-North Carolina line.

"Although it is still too early to be certain, the guidance trend continues to lessen the threat to South Florida but increases the threat to the Carolinas," the 5 p.m. forecast discussion said.

While more of Florida was sliding out of the forecast path, meteorologists stressed that storms can carry hidden dangers.

In October 1999, another Irene - a tropical storm - moved up the spine of the Florida peninsula but dropped as much as a foot and a half of rain over parts of coastal Palm Beach County.

And in 2008, Tropical Storm Fay, even as its downpours brought historic flooding to Port St. Lucie, spun off a tornado in Wellington that all but flattened a horse center.

Across Palm Beach County Monday, governments were starting to gear up.

They topped off emergency fuel supplies, checked generators, cleaned out storm drains, trimmed trees and policed streets for loose debris.

Several hospitals said they'd cancel elective surgery if the storm became a direct threat.

The 211 telephone referral system moved into hurricane informational mode and already was getting inquiries about special needs shelters.

Palm Beach County Assistant County Administrator Vince Bonvento, who leads emergency management efforts, met Monday afternoon with officials from local governments and fire-rescue departments.

"It's really premature to make any decisions," Bonvento said. "We will wait until Wednesday."

He said two meetings are scheduled for Tuesday - in the morning and the afternoon - for officials to discuss storm projections and preparedness efforts.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/hurricane-irene-hits-100-mph-as-it-takes-1772281.html

SKIP the bobcat

2011-07-22T08:05:00.001-04:00

Skip the bobcat was hit by a car on December 28th, 2010. After successful surgery to repair his shattered pelvis and 3 months of rehab at Big Cat Rescue he was unable to be released back into the wild...

Watch full episodes of the "Skipcam" camera trap videos here....

Episode 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErxBYXvT4-E

Episode 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjkhbAF9vM

Swimming Bobcat!

2011-07-14T13:17:00.001-04:00

*Rare Footage! MAX the Bobcat our newest rescue investigates his two new pools and goes for a swim!

BIG CAT RAP!!

2011-07-09T16:15:00.001-04:00

Listen to Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Cougars and Ocelots BIG CAT RAP!! For FREE Big Cat Rescue ringtones visit: http://www.myxer.com/artist/513436/

Feeding 100+ Tigers, Lions, Leopards...

2011-07-03T03:37:00.001-04:00

What's the favorite time of day for BIG CATS? - - - - DINNER TIME! This is what the residents at Big Cat Rescue enjoy more than anything else, food, food, food! The cats definitely love to eat and we love to provide them with the best diet we possibly can, so if you would like to help us feed the cats please visit this site and donate what you can: http://www.razoo.com/story/Modglin THANK YOU!

Meet Canyon the SAND CAT!

2011-06-24T03:31:00.001-04:00

IS THIS THE WORLD'S CUTEST CAT???

Canyon the Sand Cat is one of the smallest residents at Big Cat Rescue, he's often mistaken for a domestic cat or kitten by tour guests! Listen to our junior volunteers as they introduce viewers to the cutest cat at BCR!?

BIG CAT SUMMER!

2011-06-19T09:31:00.001-04:00

It's Summer time at Big Cat Rescue, check out all the cool enrichment we hand out to the tigers, lions, leopards and more!

Liger Physical

2011-06-13T06:48:00.001-04:00

Freckles is an 18 year old liger we rescued in 2008. She was in bad shape when she came to Big Cat Rescue, listen to what we have done to make her more comfortable while living at the sanctuary...

Vote Big Cat Rescue in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good

2011-06-04T14:21:00.001-04:00

Big Cat Rescue has been selected as one of 500 finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which will award vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program will showcase five non-profit organizations each day for 100 days on Toyota’s Facebook page http://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/

Sleepy Tigers....

2011-06-04T01:00:00.001-04:00

TIGERS SNORE TOO!! Check out our Tigers, Lions, Leopards and more doing what cats do best.....SLEEP! Big Cat Rescue is thankful to all our donors and supporters than enable us to rescue these cats and provide them with sanctuary so they can sleep in peace for the rest of their lives.

Top 10 Tiger Facts

2011-05-24T17:47:00.001-04:00

“If we can’t save the tiger from extinction, we can’t save anything!” was repeated in a myriad of ways over the past week in Washington, DC by conservation experts from around the world at The most important conservation initiative undertaken in the history of the world to conserve wild tigers.

*BIG Cat Toys!

2011-05-21T10:24:00.001-04:00

TIGER TOYS! Watch tigers, leopards & cougars playing with their oversized toys... THANK YOU to all our supporters and volunteers who enable us to provide these grr-eat enrichment items for the cats to play with!

Special thanks to: http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/for providing us with the music in this video.

For more info about BIG CAT RESCUE visit: http://www.bigcatrescue.org

BIG CATS need a BIG TRUCK!

2011-05-13T13:01:00.001-04:00

Help Big Cat Rescue with their mission! Vote for Big Cat Rescue on June 3rd in the Toyota 100 Cars For Good program and we could win a new rescue vehicle!

Vote here on June 3rd: http://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/

Liger ROAR!

2011-05-10T17:33:00.001-04:00

Freckles the LIGER at Big Cat Rescue, Freckles was rescued along with two tigers from Mississippi in December 2008, read the full story here: http://bigcatrescuer.blogspot.com/2009/01/big-cat-bailout.html

Big Cat Rescue strives to make sure all of our cats are as comfortable as possible while living at the sanctuary, however we have to inspect and clean the enclosures daily whether the cats like it or not and this video clip is a good example of why these cats do not belong in backyards!

Tiger Easter!

2011-04-23T03:58:00.001-04:00

TIGERS & LIONS LIKE EASTER TREATS TOO! Watch Zabu the white tiger destroy her easter egg filled with catnip and leave the mess for Cameron the lion to investigate!

Big Cat Scares! :)

2011-04-03T07:32:00.001-04:00

Big cats can be very scary, but so can Big Cat Rescue volunteers!Sorry interns! If you would like to take part in our intern program please visit: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-intern

Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom *Big Cats!!

2011-03-31T14:08:00.001-04:00

Feeding over 100 tigers, lions and leopards each day requires lots of food, watch the cats enjoy their dinner in this fun video!

LYNX gets a haircut!

2011-03-27T04:46:00.001-04:00

Dances With Wolves had been bottle raised and sold to someone who expected her to bond with him. His cats do commercials and ads and she was not inclined to do either. Living on Easy Street now, she can do what comes natural to her. Big Cat Rescue's resident Canadian Lynx gets rid of her bad hairdo!

Backyard Tigers of America...

2011-03-19T01:45:00.001-04:00

Did you know that it is 100% LEGAL to own tigers, lions and other exotic big cats as "pets" in the United States? There are literally thousand of big cats existing in horrible conditions in backyards across America...

Q: Do TIGERS hate CINNAMON??

2011-03-06T08:53:00.001-05:00

Do tigers hate cinnamon? We have 13 tigers at Big Cat Rescue so we decided to put cinnamon to the test and find out..... We also gave cinnamon to a few of our lions to see what they thought to the baking spice!

CIRCUS

2011-03-01T20:53:00.001-05:00

The CIRCUS is NO FUN for the animals...

Big Cat Rescue does something called Operant Conditioning to teach our cats to do things we need them to do for medical reasons, such as lean against the fence to get their shots or open their mouth so we can look at their teeth. We do this with rewards and the cats have fun because they are smart and bored and love the attention. We never punish or withhold food to make them do something, and the cats only do it when they want to -- not on our schedule.

But because tigers and lions in circus acts must perform specific acts at precise times and "the show must go on," positive reinforcement is not the only method used by circus trainers or night club magicians. Often the cats are beaten, starved and confined for long periods of time in order to get them to cooperate with what the trainers want. And life on the road means that most of a cat's life is spent in a circus wagon in the back of a semi-truck or in a crowded, stinking box car on a train or barge.

The messages the public gets from circus acts couldn't be worse. These acts either show man dominating one of nature's most magnificent creatures, which would never happen on an even playing field, or worse are promoted as illustrations of the "special bond" the trainer has with his captive. The latter just fuels the trade in big cats as pets and that never ends well for the cat.

18 Servals, 1 Sanctuary...

2011-02-21T11:19:00.001-05:00

Many of our servals are former "pets", wild cat species NEVER make suitable "pets" and are often abandoned once the owners realise this. Big Cat Rescue is a non-profit educational sanctuary home to over 100 unwanted, abandoned and abused exotic big cats.

♥ Big Cat Love ♥

2011-02-11T12:39:00.001-05:00

The love is in the air at Big Cat Rescue. Lions, Tigers, Leopards and more are enjoying the company of loving feline companions and special Valentine's Day enrichment to play with! :)

Bobcat Kittens + 2011 Rehab UPDATE

2011-02-06T01:31:00.001-05:00

The Big Cat Rescue - Bobcat Rehabilitation Program. We currently have three individual bobcats that we are rehabilitating, Midnight the bobcat kitten that was orphaned by a hunter in Alabama and Bellona and Skip two Florida bobcats that were struck by cars.
Listen to BCR President Jamie Veronica update viewers on the progress of the bobcats and their expected dates of release back into the wild where they belong!

Lion eats whole rabbit - WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT

2011-01-29T09:28:00.001-05:00

Watch Joseph the lion eat a whole rabbit in around 9 minutes (Time Lapse)
Whole prey is an important part the diet we feed our cats, as you can see they eat everything including the bones, stomach contents and fur. This provides great nutrition and a nice change of diet for the cats at their favorite time of day....DINNER TIME!

LION TACOS!! - - - $8.75 each!!

2011-01-24T01:23:00.001-05:00

First there were LION BURGERS, know we have LION TACOS, this abuse as to stop!

An Arizona restaurant known for serving tacos made from exotic meats is taking advanced orders for a particularly rare delicacy - LION MEAT !!

Boca Tacos y Tequila, a Tucson Tex-Mex restaurant plans to put lion on its menu for one night only February 16th, provided enough diners express interest in chowing down on the big cat.

WAYS TO HELP STOP THIS...

Please send an email or call the FDA to let them know that regulations should be passed prohibiting "threatened" species from being served as food products.

FDA email: consumer@fda.gov

FDA phone: (949) 608-3530 Arizona Consumer Complaint Coordinator

SIGN THE PETITION HERE: http://animals.change.org/blog/view/lion_tacos_on_the_menu_in_arizona

2 Tigers vs RHINO !?

2011-01-21T05:34:00.001-05:00

!! WATCH 2 TIGERS ATTACK A RHINO !?- Shere Khan our 750lb Siberian/bengal Tiger and China Doll have fun destroying our model Rhino.

How to Flea Treat 100+ BIG CATS !!

2011-01-16T03:53:00.001-05:00

Tigers, Lions, Leopards, all cat species can catch fleas, so at Big Cat Rescue we have to treat all of our 100+ residents with flea prevention just like your domestic cat at home every single month!

Cougar Rescue

2011-01-06T11:23:00.001-05:00

Meet Big Cat Rescue's newest residents, Freddy and Sassyfrass. They were rescued from Illinois in November 2010, listen to their story and watch the rescue!

Living in the Lion's Den for 30 Days James Jablon

2011-01-05T09:05:00.001-05:00

Why is it so bad for James Jablon of Wildlife Rehab of Hernando Florida to be living in the lions' den with two white lion cubs?

How about 10 reasons, just for starters:

Om Nom Nom - Serval :)

2010-12-30T16:38:00.001-05:00

Listen to Ty the Serval Om Nom Nom while eating his dinner! Ty came to Big Cat Rescue on 6/18/98. His previous owners had become worried that Ty, who has all of his claws, would harm their young children. The breeder had told them that if they raised Ty with their infant son they would bond forever. By the time Ty was three, the boy was still a toddler and Ty went after him. The parents had visited Big Cat Rescue before and felt that Ty would have a comfortable and happy home here. His owners caught him up in a crab trap and transported him to the sanctuary in the back of their pick up truck. After spening days in the heat, on the open road, he finally arrived. Ty has finally found refuge and seems to be quite happy here. He lives to eat and will begin to look down the pathways for approaching keepers an hour before feeding time.

Big Cat Christmas!

2010-12-20T05:23:00.001-05:00

WATCH Tigers, Lions, Leopards and more having fun destroying their big cat christmas presents! Big Cat Rescue is home to over 100 unwanted, abandoned and abused exotic big cats who love their presents just as much as we do!

Help the BIG CATS this christmas!

2010-12-15T20:24:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the generosity of the family of William and Lois Modglin of Glendale, California, this grant provides that any donations to Big Cat Rescue that indicate they are to be submitted for a match from this grant will be matched dollar for dollar by a donation from this grant immediately upon receipt of you donation up to the $200,000 maximum. This 100% match means your donation has twice the impact!

Help FREE Tony the Tiger!

2010-12-12T08:27:00.001-05:00

Breawna Smith is a ten year old animal advocate who recently visited the Tiger Truck Stop in Louisiana, listen to her report on Tony and his living conditions...

CUTEST Big Cat Contest! - *WIN Paw Painting!

2010-12-06T01:41:00.001-05:00

Of course we think all of our cats are cute, but we have selected 15 different cats to let viewers decide which they think is the CUTEST! Watch the video decide which cat you think should win, then simply visit our facebook page and comment on their photo, the cat with the most comments and "likes" will be crowned "Big Cat Rescue's Cutest Cat" and the person with the funniest comment will WIN an original Paw Painting by Contestant #8 Narla the cougar worth $100 - The purr-fect Christmas gift!

GEOFFROY CAT Species Spotlight

2010-12-01T04:09:00.001-05:00

Geoffroy cats are one of the smallest species of wild cat in the world! Listen to our Education Director Willow Hecht talk about these tiny cats and the problems they are facing in captivity and in the wild.

Petting Lion & Tiger Cubs at Malls & Fairs

2010-11-30T00:03:00.001-05:00

The idea of petting and playing with a tiger cub has an understandable natural appeal. The cubs are adorable, and the tiger is one of the most powerful and fascinating of all animals. What you don't know haunts them for a lifetime of deprivation and abuse.

Turkey Day for TIGERS!

2010-11-25T06:03:00.001-05:00

We celebrate Thanksgiving at Big Cat Rescue and it's a favorite holiday for the Tigers, Lions and Leopards too! Watch as we hand out whole turkeys and chickens to the big cats living at the sanctuary, the cats consume the whole bird bones 'n all!

TIGER FAIL!! Vegetarian Tiger??

2010-11-17T22:09:00.001-05:00

SHERE KHAN weighs over 700lbs! He is a Siberian/Bengal tiger and he eats grass just like your domestic cat at home :) Why do cats eat grass? ...

*BAD BIG CATS!!

2010-11-13T13:57:00.001-05:00

*FACT: Tigers, Lions, Leopards and any other species of wild cat will NEVER make a suitable "pet". Despite this obvious statement, it's 100% LEGAL to privately own these animals in over half of the United States!

Petting Lion & Tiger Cubs

2010-11-11T02:54:00.001-05:00

When you pay to pet a cub, what are you really supporting? This video shows you how people pimp out tiger cubs to support themselves while making no provisions for the lifetime care of the big cats they are breeding and buying. Watch this video about two such pay to play schemes run by Kathy Stearns of Dade City's Wild Things and Joe Schreibvogel of G.W. Exotics.

BOBCATS of Big Cat Rescue

2010-11-08T00:19:00.001-05:00

Big Cat Rescue is home to 32 bobcats! Whether they are former "pets", fur farm rescues or wild bobcats that were injured and unable to be returned to the wild, they all have permanent sanctuary at BCR.

"BEARCAT" VS PUMPKIN !!

2010-10-31T03:16:00.001-04:00

Big Cat Rescue is home to over 100 Lions, Tigers & Leopards, we are also home to Banjo the Binturong or Bearcat! Watch Banjo enjoy his Halloween treat a pumpkin complete with a banana mouth, plum nose, Fig Newton eyes and grape hair!

Big Cat Halloween

2010-10-26T20:46:00.001-04:00

Tigers, Lions, Leopards...the Big Cats like to carve pumpkins too! Take a look at halloween at Big Cat Rescue!

Lion + White Tiger = Cameron & Zabu!

2010-10-22T19:37:00.001-04:00

Say hello to Big Cat Rescue's "odd couple" Cameron and Zabu (Male African Lion & Female White Tiger) were rescued from a roadside zoo and circus in New Hampshire in 2004.

BIG CAT RESCUE - Fur Ball 2010

2010-10-13T20:33:00.001-04:00

Big Cat Rescue's 11th annual Fur Ball was a roaring success! Thank you to everybody who attended, donated and volunteered, together we are helping to make a difference in the lives of big cats around the world!

Big Cats GO GREEN! How Tigers Recycle!

2010-10-11T13:25:00.001-04:00

Tigers, Lions, Leopards ... we recycle a little differently at Big Cat Rescue! With 45 acres and over 100 big cats to care for we have lots of landscaping projects as well as lots of cats to keep enriched, so we do both at the same time!

Tony the Truck Stop Tiger: UPDATE

2010-10-02T12:38:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: Tony is still "living" at the tiger truck stop in Louisiana, it's very important that we the public keep the pressure on the government agency which decides the fate of Tony.

MEET OUR TIGERS! 2010 Year of the Tiger

2010-09-25T12:34:00.001-04:00

Tigers are one of the most popular animals in the world, instantly recognizable and ultimate predators yet they are a vanishing species...

With more tigers living in captivity in the USA than are left in the wild!

WORLD FIRST - Snow Leopard Lithotripsy.

2010-09-17T19:05:00.001-04:00

Cloe the snow leopard was diagnosed with a kidney infection and kidney stones in her left kidney. We decided the best option to help save her kidney function was to consider lithotripsy.

Bobcat Kittens "The Outside World"

2010-09-08T16:57:00.001-04:00

!!!WARNING!!! This video shows scenes of live animal predation. The three bobcat kittens are released into their outside rehab enclosure!

2010 Big Cat Wins Animal Lovers vs Animal Terrorists

2010-09-06T14:24:00.001-04:00

And attacked we were, albeit mostly just vile verbal attacks from people like Vernon Yates, Alan Rigerman, Gloria Johnson & Lisa Welch among others who wouldn't curse me to my face, but hissed the evil they would do to me as I passed. Others including Kevin Antle of T.I.G.E.R.S, Zuzanna Kuko of R.E.X.A.N.O., Joe Schreibvogal of G.W. Exotics and others have slandered us on the Internet.

Pet Supplies That Support Big Cats

2010-09-06T11:50:00.001-04:00

Want to help Big Cat Rescue AND get great pet supplies? Visit www.petsuppliestampa.com, the brand-new online pet supply store started by Big Cat Rescue’s Operations Manager Gale Ingham and volunteer senior keeper Willow Hecht. Ten percent of the profits from the website will go to Big Cat Rescue!

Petsuppliestampa.com features affordable, quality pet supplies and great customer service from two animal lovers. The site has everything you need for cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and small mammals, and features products not found in local pet stores. The site also has an extensive inventory of professional-grade grooming supplies, such as shampoos, flea dips, and clippers. Visit www.petsuppliestampa.com to pamper your pets and help the big cats.

Pet Serval Rescued

2010-09-01T17:25:00.001-04:00

Servals are unfortunately very popular in the exotic "pet" trade, we recently rescued Servie the Serval after her owner of ten years was hospitalized and unable to care for her any longer.

Big Cat Rescue AdvoCat News August 2010

2010-08-26T13:51:00.001-04:00

The AdvoCat Newsletter

Big Cat Rescue August 2010

in this issue:
Help Takoma the Bobcat
Bucs Club Seats Raffle
"Most fun event I've..."
AdvoCats Make a Difference
Grrreat Videos to Enjoy
HUGE Enrichment Donation
Cat Behavior Classes
Catera & Sophia Pass On
Bobcats & Blue Martinis
Inside Big Cat Rescue

TIGERS ♥ to Paint !!

2010-08-25T19:19:00.001-04:00

Tigers, Leopards, Lynx....BIG CATS like to paint too! The cats had grr-eat fun creating purr-fect paintings we will auction off at our annual fundraiser the "Fur Ball"

SNOW LEOPARD stalking and attacks!

2010-08-23T17:11:00.001-04:00

Snow Leopards are apex predators and have amazing camouflage, allowing them to get up close to their prey, before their final pounce and attack!

Circus Life..."Captive" Entertainment

2010-08-20T15:16:00.001-04:00

Circus Life...Step Right up to the Greatest Show of Exploitation on Earth!

USDA only requires that a cage for a wild animal be large enough that the animal be able to stand and turn around in the cage.

COUGAR Species Spotlight

2010-08-13T13:17:00.001-04:00

Cougar/Mountain Lion/Panther/Puma/Grey Ghost, whatever these cats are known by, they are very unique animals. Watch the video to learn more about this cat and the problems it is facing in the wild.Cougar/Mountain Lion/Panther/Puma/Grey Ghost, whatever these cats are known by, they are very unique animals. Watch the video to learn more about this cat and the problems it is facing in the wild.Cougar/Mountain Lion/Panther/Puma/Grey Ghost, whatever these cats are known by, they are very unique animals. Watch the video to learn more about this cat and the problems it is facing in the wild.Cougar/Mountain Lion/Panther/Puma/Grey Ghost, whatever these cats are known by, they are very unique animals. Watch the video to learn more about this cat and the problems it is facing in the wild.

Q: Do TIGERS like catnip??

2010-08-03T20:17:00.001-04:00

Ever wondered if big cats like TIGERS, LIONS & LEOPARDS like catnip?

We always get this question from tour guests, so we thought we'd find out!

White Tigers Are All Inbred and Crossbred

2010-08-02T13:53:00.001-04:00

Dr. Dan Laughlin states, “…every white tiger in the U.S. is not only the result of repeated inbreeding of genetically defective animals but, even worse, is a hybrid or crossbred animal. Thus, anyone involved in breeding and/or exhibiting white tigers is doing a great disservice to honest conservation and preservation efforts to save the five remaining and endangered subspecies of tigers barely clinging to survival…”

Liger + Tiger + Lion = BIG CAT RESCUE!

2010-07-29T18:37:00.001-04:00

Liger, Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Cougars, Lynx, Ocelots, Servals, Sand Cats,...Big Cat Rescue located in Tampa Florida, is the world's largest accredited non profit sanctuary. Home to over 100 unwanted, abandoned and abused exotic big cats.

BOBCAT KITTENS Vs Rats/Chicks/Mice!

2010-07-19T21:05:00.001-04:00

BOBCAT KITTENS - Episode 4, since last time we have switched the kittens from their milk diet to solid food (whole prey). They have exploded in size and have been having lots of fun in their inside environment!

Bobcat Kitten FAIL

2010-07-10T21:21:00.001-04:00

Midnight, Rain & Storm are three orphaned Bobcat kittens, find out more here:http://www.bigcatrescue.org/

July 2010 AdvoCat Ezine with Big Cat Rescue News

2010-07-08T16:09:00.001-04:00

The July 2010 issue of the Big Cat Rescue AdvoCat has stories about new tour times, the death of a beloved tiger, how concerned citizens are making the world a safer and more humane place and how a liger and an ocelot were given extraordinary vet care.

Ocelot Ear Surgery at Big Cat Rescue

2010-07-06T16:28:00.001-04:00

When PurrFection the Ocelot developed a hemotoma on her ear she needed emergency surgery to alieviate the swelling. It's been raining for days on end and we didn't want her to suffer so Big Cat Rescuers braved the weather to get her the vet care she needed. When you operate a sanctuary for big cats it is a non stop committment. That means feeding, cleaning, enriching and providing top notch vet care no matter how miserable the weather. Watch this video of the day in the life of Big Cat Rescuers.

R.I.P Snorkel the Tiger ...

2010-07-05T15:30:00.001-04:00

As a cub, Snorkel spent his early years forced to pose as a prop with people for their photos. Then he ended up caged for years at a family circus.Luckily, he found a true safe haven at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL.

ANGELICA the BOBCAT

2010-06-28T14:57:00.001-04:00

Angelica the BOBCAT was rescued by Big Cat Rescue after her owner was in foreclosure and unable to keep her any longer. NO wild cat species will ever make a suitable "pet" ... ignorant or uneducated people often find this out the hard way and the cats are always the ones that suffer!

Windsong the Bobcat Founder of Big Cat Rescue Dies, Sanctuary Mourns

2010-06-20T08:56:00.001-04:00

The AdvoCat is a free monthly big cat magazine about the daily operations of a world class sanctuary for lions, tigers, leopards, bobcats and many other exotic wild cats. This June 2010 issue brings the sad news of the death of the "founder."

CANADIAN LYNX Species Spotlight

2010-06-15T13:05:00.001-04:00

http://www.bigcatrescue.org/cats/captive/canadalynxdanceswithwolves.htmDances With Wolves is the resident Canadian Lynx at Big Cat Rescue. Listen to Master Keeper Barbara Frank talk about Dances and Canadian Lynx in the wild.

Beautiful, Wild and Free.

2010-06-09T15:54:00.001-04:00

Ligers, Sand Cats, Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Cougars, Lynx, Bobcats.....Big Cat Rescue's Theme Song is Beautiful, Wild and Free.

Terez Hartmann, is a seasoned entertainer, speaker, forward-thinking pioneer, entrepreneur and business professional with a background in marketing and psychology.

Because she was so deeply touched by her experience with the magnificent cats of Big Cat Rescue, she chose to write a song to honor these amazing creatures AND for a limited time, offer a portion of the proceeds of this download purchase to benefit the cats!

BOBCAT KITTENS! "Play Time"

2010-06-05T15:16:00.001-04:00

The cute bobcat kittens are really growing fast! This video introduces the viewer to the purrsonalities of the individual kittens! Follow the progress of the kittens here LIVE! http://www.bigcatrescue.org/video/00352.htm

Dangerous Trade: About the Show Dealing in Tigers

2010-06-04T13:13:00.001-04:00

Don't miss Dangerous Trade on Planet Green (which features International Tiger Coalition and Global Tiger Initiative members)!

Tune into Planet Green at 10 pm on June 6th (in the USA) to follow the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) as they protect the natural world from environmental crime and abuse.

Working undercover to expose international environmental crime—illegal wildlife trading, illegal logging and trade in timber species, and the worldwide trade in ozone depleting substances—EIA has directly brought about changes in international laws and the policies of governments, saving the lives of millions of rare and endangered animals and putting a stop to the devastating effects of environmental criminals. The work they with their Indian colleagues at the Wildlife Protection Society of India, for example, helped to piece together the tiger skin trail in 2004 and 2005—which contributed to major changes in the patterns of consumption.

As the tiger team leader Debbie Banks puts it, the primary message of the show is: "this isn’t rocket science... it would be very straightforward to break the back of this illegal trade. If a small NGO with limited resources can uncover such a vast amount of information in a short space of time, then why can’t the Chinese authorities? If only they would apply the resources, they could make a serious dent in the criminal networks that control this trade."

At the start of Dangerous Trade and the tiger trade investigation, the Environmental Investigation Agency finds that people were being forced by Chinese officials to wear skins at traditional festivals to undermine the Dalai Lama’s appeal in 2006 to respect the tiger, which led to Tibetans burning all their big cat skins. Additional information indicated that people were still trading skins... Find out what EIA?s learns about who is trafficking skins into China and how. Cameras follow the surveillance team as it tracks the EIA undercover operatives—watch the show and you'll learn in suspense!

Check out the tv schedule for listings.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/dangerous-trade-about-the-show.html

BIG CAT Proposal...

2010-05-29T19:18:00.001-04:00

There was a BIG surprise waiting for one of our keeper tour guests recently, when her partner had organized a surprise proposal in our tour waiting area at the sanctuary!

Mary Poppins Crew Visits Big Cat Rescue

2010-05-26T19:23:00.001-04:00

A” Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” Day at Big Cat Rescue!

Tampa, Fl.… On Thursday, May 27^th, company members from the North American touring production of MARY POPPINS, currently performing at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) through Sunday, June 6, 2010, will visit Big Cat Rescue, the largest accredited sanctuary in the United States dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of exotic cats.

The MARY POPPINS North American tour celebrated its first anniversary on March 25, 2010 and announced that it had achieved the milestone of being the most successful touring theatrical event in 2009.

Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit educational sanctuary, is devoted to rescuing and providing a permanent home for exotic (i.e. wild, not domestic) cats who have been abused, abandoned, bred to be pets, retired from performing acts, or saved from being slaughtered for fur coats. The sanctuary’s mission includes educating the public about these animals and the issues facing them in captivity and in the wild.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to partner together with the cast of Mary Poppins” said Jeff Kremer, Director of Donor Appreciation with the nonprofit sanctuary.

The company of Mary Poppins will arrive at Big Cat Rescue at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 27^th , for a private tour of the sanctuary, where “A Spoon Full of Catnip Helps the Medicine Go Down!”

Big Cat Rescue is a 501(c)(3) not-profit charity. The sanctuary receives no government support and relies on its educational activities, such as tours of the facility, and the generosity of donors such as the cast and crew of Mary Poppins to support the magnificent animals that call the sanctuary home.

Following their visit to the sanctuary, these energetic folks will head back to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to take the stage in what will likely be a most inspired performance.

For more information visit: www.strazcenter.org. and www.BigCatRescue.org

Help Save a Serval

2010-05-25T16:08:00.001-04:00

A bobcat with a broken leg nears starvation so his human neighbors called Big Cat Rescue to come to his aid. Voting for Big Cat Rescue at the Animal Rescue Site is a great way to help rescue bobcats like this at no cost to you.

Rarest Cat in the World? DENTAL SURGERY

2010-05-22T19:07:00.001-04:00

TONGA, a very rare White Serval - (Only two in the world that we know of) was found to have a broken tooth. We assessed the tooth and decided that the best thing to do was to capture Tonga and take him to the veterinary clinic where it could be treated.

WATCH THE VIDEO TO SEE HOW HIS TREATMENT WENT!

Animal Rescue Site Enables Bobcat Rescue

2010-05-17T13:51:00.001-04:00

Purr-fect Mom to Baby Bobcats!

2010-05-08T15:38:00.001-04:00

Update on the three orphaned bobcat kittens...Midnight, Rain and Storm are all doing grr-eat thanks to their surrogate mum Bobbi the domestic cat!

They're all eating well and gaining weight and starting to explore their environment more!

Follow the progress of the kittens here LIVE! http://www.bigcatrescue.org/video/003...

For more info about BIG CAT RESCUE visit: http://www.bigcatrescue.org
Find us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Cat...
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/1bigcatrescue
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue
DONATE: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/donate.htm

THANK YOU!

Pet Preparedness

2008-08-31T18:17:00.001-04:00

Pets & Animals in Distress has put the below following Hurricane Preparedness Guide be to all pet owners that could be in the direct path of Hurricane Gustav. For those of us who might have been in denial: It's pretty clear that we indeed are in the heart of hurricane season now, with Gustav heading toward the Gulf Coast and Hannah barreling through the Atlantic.
Does your family have a hurricane preparedness plan to include for your pets? And if you have to evacuate, do you have somewhere to go that will take your animals, too?
The Pets & Animals in Distress Web site is a great resource center that offers pet preparedness and disaster information that includes a good hurricane checklist for pet owners, pet friendly hotels and Hurricane Center Directory. You can visit us at:
http://www.petsandanimals.org/pet_disaster_tips.asp

Disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods don't just affect you -- they also affect your pets. And your pets depend on you for their safety. There are many ways to be "Pet Prepared," but you must think ahead and start planning NOW. During a disaster, if you see an injured or stranded animal that needs help, contact your local animal control officer or animal shelter.

Please follow the below tips in case of immediate evacuation of you and your pets in those targeted regions.

The separation or loss of a pet can have a profound impact on a family! We should make every effort to insure our pets are safe and with us. A written disaster plan, particularly in households with pets can lessen a disaster's impact and save lives! Advanced planning is essential and could save your pet(s) life and the best recommended plan is to take your pet with you when and if you have to evacuate. REMEMBER- Public Shelters Do Not Allow Pets!

All facilities in a disaster area may be subject to some degree of damage or flooding. If you are thinking of boarding your pet, consider the difficulties of providing a healthy environment without electricity, running water, plus limited supplies and personnel! Contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

BEFORE THE DISASTER
Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
Have a current photograph
Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
Have a properly sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet! Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning.

DURING THE DISASTER

Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.
Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.
Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis. Call ahead and determine availability.

AFTER THE DISASTER

Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.
After disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

Proper identification including immunization records
Ample supply of food and water
A carrier or cage
Medications
Muzzle, collar and leash

PET HELP LINKS

The HUMANE SOCIETY Disaster Center -- http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/
FEMA - Animals and Emergencies - http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm
Locate PET-FRIENDLY Hotels & Motels - http://www.petswelcome.com/

Emergency Pet Preparedness

Pet & Animals in Distress knows the importance of promoting pet safety awareness, when it comes to protecting our cherished pet family members in case of home Fires or any natural disaster crisis that may occur anytime such as (Hurricanes, Tornados, Earthquakes, Floods or Snowstorms). Having "Rescue Rover" Pet Alert Fire Rescue window decals on windows gives firefighters or emergency personnel a much better chance of alerting them that there are pets inside of a residence and lets them know how many and what type of pets that are inside when they arrive on the scene that need to be rescued. "Rescue Rover" Pet Alert Fire Rescue decals can greatly increase a pet's chances of survival of being saved from a home fire or disaster, and the number of tragic companion animal deaths can be significantly reduced. There is no price you can pay to protect and save a pet family member.

Receive your Free "Rescue Rover" Pet Alert Decals with your donation to Pets & Animals in Distress. https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?id=2025

Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan. Please cross post and forward this pet safety preparedness message on to other pet owners

Thank you and our prayers go out to all that are in harms way!

Brenda Beck, Founder/ President
Pets & Animals in Distress
www.petsandanimals.org
"Your Best Friends Helping Our Best Friends"

1511 east Commercial Blvd
PMB #129
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334
United States

--
For the cats,

Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
an Educational Sanctuary home
to more than 100 big cats
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625
813.493.4564 fax 885.4457

http://www.BigCatRescue.org MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org

Sign our petition to protect tigers from being farmed here:

http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=9952801&type=CU

This message contains information from Big Cat Rescue that may be
confidential or privileged. The information contained herein is intended
only for the eyes of the individual or entity named above. You are hereby
notified that any dissemination, distribution, disclosure, and/or copying of
the information contained in this communication is strictly prohibited. The
recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of
viruses. Big Cat Rescue accepts no liability for any damage or loss caused
by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.

Hurricane Preparedness

2008-06-20T22:23:00.001-04:00

How do you prepare a 45 acre sanctuary housing 100+ big cats for a Hurricane? Since 2004's episode including 4 major hurricanes in 6 weeks we get asked that question a lot.

The answer isn't something that can be said in a sound byte though, because it takes months of planning, preparing and training to make sure that when the winds quit howling, the cats don't start howling from the wrong side of the fence.

It starts with the caging. Our cages are built from galvanized wire panels that are twice what the state standards require for strength. Vern builds them in rounded, peanut styled formations that utilize the strength of the curvature without the necessity of posts. Because there is nothing to catch the wind, which is the major factor in a hurricane, there is nothing to blow away. Almost all of our Cat-A-Tats (our word for cages) have roofs made of the same material so the animal is safely contained on the top, sides and bottom. The only major damage we have had to cages was in the non roofed enclosures. Anticipating that, we had moved cats living in those enclosures into roofed cages to ride out the storms. By this hurricane season all of our cats have their own "safe area" with a roof and we are raising funds now to roof the remainder of the cages. You can help by donating here: Donate.

The non roofed areas all are equipped with two or three strands of hot wire that is solar powered, because in a hurricane, the first thing to go is the power. The solar units we use are very expensive but are reported to last 5 days in the dark. Fortunately we have never had to test that claim; losing only 3 days of power at any given time. All of our cats have dens to escape the rain. Some of the small cats have igloo type dog houses that are shaped like tree stumps and barrels with one end half cut out up in the trees. Most of the cats have some form of concrete den that is built to accommodate their size. A cougar, for instance, has an underground area (which is actually elevated above the grade to prevent water from pooling inside) that is 8 feet by 12 feet by 2.5 feet high. Over that is a mountain of dirt, plants and grass that provides a cool area in the summer and warmth against the chilling winds in the winter. There isn't a tree big enough to smash one of these 4 inch thick, rebar reinforced, concrete dens that are buried inside our man made hills.

Most of the other places in Florida housing exotic animals reported losing most of their trees during Charly, Francis, Ivan and Jeanne but we only lost a couple of dead pine trees. As we looked around, and thought about why, we concluded that the same thing that kept our cats from blowing away, kept our trees from toppling as well. Most of them are "caged". We build our Cat-A-Tats around trees and Vern very cleverly encloses the top into the center of the boughs so that the cats have lots of opportunities to climb and to do the things they would in the wild, like sleep in the trees all day and wait for night. Because all of our best trees are part of enclosures this way, they were anchored to the ground by 1200 square foot cages. The wind just couldn't get a good enough grip to pull them up from the soggy earth.

All of the damage we did receive was from the dead pine trees and we have called monthly to get our regular tree service out to remove the rest of the dead trees but they have had so much work since last fall that they never could get to us. In June of 2005 we contracted with M & R Tree Service at half the price we were being charged and are taking out 54 pine trees that died from the combination of drought and beetles. This is costing us $300.00 per tree just to drop them and then our staff and volunteers are working, non-stop, to cut up the logs and haul off the branches. This means lots of use for the chainsaws and chippers that were donated last year. One of our Jungle Cat cages didn't survive the tree clearing process as the largest pine on the property landed squarely on top of it.

Hurricane preparedness has a lot to do with our people. Long before the first cloud blows in off the bay they have been rehearsing for the worst possible situation. Thanks to the Volunteer Committee, regular drills are performed, documented and analyzed to see where we have come up short and what we can do to make sure that we are ready in the case of a real emergency such as a loose cat, an injured person or a fire. Jamie is always checking the supplies in the Emergency Response Center and Cathy checks the Cat Hospital supplies on a monthly basis. These crucial supplies are always being checked, rechecked and restocked as they expire. Classes are offered weekly to our members in such things as Animal Emergency, Human CPR and how to find the right tools and the right people in the most effective manner. Everyone knows the chain of command and who has access to dart guns, tranquilizers and the expertise to use them. All of our staff, volunteers and interns carry a two way radio with them at all times and do a radio check upon entering the property to be sure they can hear and be heard.

Our people are taught from day one that they have to lay eyes on every cat they care for and to report anything amiss with the animal and to report any threat to the cage that may compromise its ability to contain its inhabitant. Those observations are all logged in a daily record and Scott, the Operations Manager, double checks the entries and the cause each day. His actions are then logged in his Daily Red Book and reviewed at the weekly staff meetings. All maintenance and preventative maintenance is done immediately. Chris, Honey, a band of Interns and Scott live on site and the perimeter fence is walked throughout the day and night daily to inspect for threats to its integrity. During inclement weather all of these processes are stepped up. Thanks to our involvement with Hillsborough County's Emergency Operations Center we get up to the minute reports on all tropical storms and hurricanes via e-mail, complete with radar photos, tracking projections and information on what is being done across the state to prepare.

The cats are prepared for emergencies as well. Thanks to an awesome Operant Conditioning Program led by Jen, the cats are trained to come into "lockout" on command. This lockout can be detached, with the cat, his water bowl, his feeding tray and enough room to live comfortably for a few weeks if there were a fire, or a breach in the cage that compromised both sections of his Cat-A-Tat. Most of our cages are built in at least two sections so that the cat can be shut into one side or the other for cleaning or repair, but in the worst case scenario we are prepared to move the cat completely and the cat does it all the time, so it isn't so scary for the resident animal. The cats are also trained to come to a target if we need to move them from side to side and while we haven't tried that outside their cage, we are prepared to with our new golf cart gear. Mouse over the golf cart photo for another view.

Golf Cart RenovationDespite all of the best planning, things go wrong. What if a big cat escapes his enclosure? Then what? Oddly, you can drive right up to a big cat and they don't even think twice about it, but the minute you step out of the car, you are lunch or you are to be run from. Neither of those options is conducive to a successful recapture. There are some places on the property that you just can't get to by car but you can access these areas by golf cart. Treats always come on golf carts and so do the Operant Conditioning people, so the cats LOVE golf carts. Vern designed a portable cage that can be dropped down over the frame of a golf cart in a matter of seconds that protects the driver and a "shooter" much like the notion of sending a person in a cage down into a tank of sharks. The golf cart can get within a couple feet of the cat in most cases and lure the cat back to a safe area by way of targeting as we do in Operant Conditioning, or the cat can be darted with a tranquilizer. In the worst case, where escape from the property is eminent, the cat must be shot with a bullet. Our staff has been trained and practices regularly with dart guns, blow pipes, and rifles and shotguns if there is no other alternative. They have been mentally preparing for the day when they may have to shoot one of their "best friends" to keep the cat from being a danger to society, because avoiding an escape is critical to the continuance of the sanctuary for all of the good that we do for the rest of the animals.

Last, but certainly most important, we PRAY!

Ernesto fizzles - Tampa Bay tropical storm warnings, watches canceled

2006-08-30T07:45:00.000-04:00

Great news for Big Cat Rescue!

********

Tropical Storm Ernesto is moving north-northwest through South Florida at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

Bay News 9 meteorologists said the storm going through central Florida is a far better scenario than staying in the gulf or the Atlantic Ocean.

The current forecast calls for the storm to head through Florida and out to the Atlantic Ocean, then rapidly move into the Carolinas.

A flood watch is in effect for Polk, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties until the evening. An inland tropical storm warning has been posted for Polk County.

There are no longer any hurricane watches posted for Ernesto in Florida. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Florida's entire east coast and from Bonita Beach south to the Florida Keys.

A tropical storm watch that had been in effect for the Gulf Coast from Tarpon Springs to Englewood has been dropped.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/8/30/178573.html? title=Ernesto%20moves%20across%20South%20Florida

Rain, occasional squalls in Tampa - severe weather will stay to the east

2006-08-29T17:38:00.000-04:00

Last Edited: Tuesday, 29 Aug 2006, 4:58 PM EDT

TAMPA – As Tropical Storm Ernesto moves closer to Florida, questions still loom about where the storm will end up. FOX 13's weather team is keeping a close eye on its projected track.

The 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicated Ernesto was located at 24.3N, 80.2W, having moved into the open water in the Florida Straits. It was centered about 100 miles south of MIami, and it was moving northwest at 13 mph.

FOX 13 Meteorologist Howard Shapiro said this latest advisory shows some slight changes to the projected path of the storm, but not a significant overall change.

The new track takes the storm slightly further to the west than originally anticipated. The latest advisory indicates that the storm would move slightly up Florida's west coast by 8 a.m. Wednesday, and then make the right turn forecasters have been expecting. It would continue across the state, exiting somewhere near Jacksonville.

With the morning advisory came a tropical storm watch for much of the Bay Area. The watch extends all the way up the west coast of Florida to Tarpon Springs.

Shapiro says if this track holds true, it would mean that Hardee, Desoto, Polk, and Highlands Counties would see some effects of the storm. But, he says Skytower HD Vipir indicates it's still the east coast that will bear the brunt of the weather.

"With most of the active weather in a tropical system on its east side, then the brunt of this is going to be hitting the east coast of our state more than it is the west coast of our state," Shapiro said.

He says the Bay Area can expect some rainy weather with occasional squalls moving through, but most of the severe weather that comes with the storm will stay to our east.

Shapiro says we can expect to see conditions continue to deteriorate late tonight and continuing through tomorrow.

The storm is expected to accelerate as it moves north through Florida.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=672977&version=121&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Inland tropical storm watch extended for Tampa Bay area

2006-08-29T12:09:00.000-04:00

MIAMI, Florida (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Ernesto is pulling away from the Cuban coast and moving toward Florida, but they also say the storm hasn't strengthened yet.

An inland tropical storm watch is in effect for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Polk, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties are now under an inland tropical storm warning. Also, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center now say a coastal tropical storm watch is in effect from Englewood north to Tarpon Springs.

At 11 am, Eastern Time, Ernesto was packing 45 mile-per-hour winds and was about 180 miles south-southeast of Miami, moving northwest at 13 miles-per-hour.

Forecasters expect outer bands from Ernesto to hit the Miami area this afternoon, with weather getting worse into the evening. But they say the storm remains disorganized, and only modest strengthening is expected. They say the chance of it becoming a hurricane before hitting Florida is remote.

However, forecasters say there is a chance that Ernesto could become a hurricane after it leaves Florida and takes aim at the Carolinas.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=38386

Ernesto: 5 a.m. advisory for Tuesday

2006-08-29T05:30:00.000-04:00

Miami, Florida - The National Hurricane Center says a tropical storm warning has been extended north along Florida's Atlantic coast to New Smyrna Beach.

A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are now in effect from New Smyrna Beach southward on the east coast, including Lake Okeechobee, from Bonita Beach southward on the west coast and for all of the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas. A hurricane warning may be required for portions of South Florida and the Florida Keys later this morning.

At 5 am, the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located about 230 miles southeast of Key West and about 235 miles from Miami. It's moving toward the northwest near 14 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.

On the forecast track, the center of Ernesto will be near the Florida Keys or southeast Florida by this evening. However, squally rainbands will be moving onshore these areas during the afternoon.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=38386

Ernesto moving off Cuba

2006-08-28T19:12:00.000-04:00

Monday, August 28, 2006

Tropical Storm Ernesto's winds have slowed to near 40 mph, down from 75 mph earlier Sunday when it became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season.

As of 6 p.m. Monday, Ernesto was at 21.3 N and 76.9 W., moving off Cuba's northern coast. It is moving NW at 13 mph and its barometric pressure is at 1007 mb.

Storm warnings and watches are:

Tropical storm watch for Polk County
Tropical storm warning for southeast Florida and the Keys
Tropical storm watch on the southwest coast from Sarasota County southward
Hurricane watch on the east coast from New Smyrna Beach southward through the Keys

Bay News 9 chief meteorologist Mike Clay said the storm is currently poorly organized. Clay said the National Hurricane Center is keeping Ernesto as a tropical storm across Florida, not strengthening into a hurricane until it's past Florida.

Ernesto could affect the Florida peninsula by Wednesday.

Ernesto moved onshore in eastern Cuba Monday morning, after lashing the southern coast of Haiti and the Dominican Republic with heavy rain Sunday, flooding homes. At least one person was killed.

Bay News 9 meteorologists said Ernesto was downgraded because it interacted with the land mass of Hispaniola and its wind speed fell to 60 mph. However, it could regain strength rapidly once it emerges over open waters.

Meanwhile, the Polk County Emergency Operations Center has partially activated with minimal staff. There are no plans to open shelters unless the hurricane track changes. Other EOC's in the Bay area will meet today to decide their course of action.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/8/28/178137.html?title=Ernesto%20moving%20off%20Cuba

Florida getting ready for brush with Tropical Storm Ernesto

2006-08-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

The 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center has Ernesto's most likely path going well east of Tampa, but Tampa is still in the "cone of probability".

*******

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Floridians are getting ready for a brush with Tropical Storm Ernesto.

About 400 miles of coast are under a hurricane watch from New Smyrna Beach southward on the east coast and from Chokoloskee southward on the west coast. Sustained winds of at least 74 miles-an-hour are possible by late tomorrow night. The Keys were put under a watch yesterday afternoon.

The National Hurricane Center says that's because Ernesto could become a hurricane after it reaches the warm waters north of Cuba. Forecasters say there is a ten percent chance of hurricane-force winds striking South Florida and a 60 percent chance of tropical storm-force winds.

A state of emergency is in effect for all Florida, because forecasters say Ernesto could potentially threaten a large swath of the state by late in the week.

At 11 am, the storm had top sustained winds of 40 miles-an-hour. It's centered over Cuba, about 35 miles northwest of Guantanamo, and about 485 miles southeast from Key West. It's moving northwest at ten miles-an-hour.

Click here to watch our 24-hour weather channel online.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=38318

Tropical Storm Ernesto: 5 am advisory out

2006-08-28T05:38:00.000-04:00

Miami, Florida - Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the southern peninsula of Florida as Tropical Storm Ernesto grows closer today.

The watch was issued from Deerfield Beach near Boca Raton southward on the east coast and from Chokoloskee southward on the west coast. A hurricane watch remained in effect for all of the Florida Keys, according to the latest 5 AM advisory.

Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 50 miles-per-hour today. But forecasters cautioned that the storm could regain hurricane strength before its anticipated arrival today on Cuba's southeastern coast.

A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions could develop in the area within 36 hours.

Visitors were ordered to leave the Keys yesterday and Governor Jeb Bush issued a state of emergency because of the possibility that Ernesto could threaten much of the state.

At 5 am, the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was centered 45 miles south-southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba, and about 600 miles from the middle and lower Keys. Ernesto is moving northwest at 12 miles-per-hour.

Click here to watch our 24-hour weather channel online.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=38318

Ernesto now a hurricane

2006-08-27T15:16:00.000-04:00

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Tropical Storm Ernesto strengthened into the first hurricane of the year in the Atlantic basin early Sunday morning in the Caribbean, with landfall possible in the Florida peninsula Thursday.

Its winds increased to 75 mph, thus the upgrade to hurricane status.

Ernesto's location is about 115 miles of Port Au Prince, Haiti, and 210 miles south southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba, as it moves toward the northwest at nine miles an hour.

According to Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker, Ernesto's intensity prior to reaching the Gulf of Mexico will be determined by how much time it spends over Cuba.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/8/27/177698.html? title=Ernesto%20now%20a%20hurricane

NOAA: August 2006 Update to Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

2006-08-08T20:05:00.000-04:00

Issued: 8 August 2006

Atlantic Hurricane Outlook & Seasonal Climate Summary Archive

SUMMARY

NOAA continues to predict a high likelihood (75% chance) of an above-normal 2006 Atlantic hurricane season and a 20% chance of a near-normal season, according to a consensus of scientists at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC), National Hurricane Center (NHC), and Hurricane Research Division (HRD). Therefore, 2006 is forecast to be the tenth above-normal season in the last twelve years. See NOAA’s definitions of above-, near-, and below-normal seasons.

This updated outlook calls for a seasonal total of 12-15 named storms, with 7-9 becoming hurricanes, and 3-4 becoming major hurricanes (categories 3-5 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane intensity scale). The likely range of NOAA’s Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index (Bell and Halpert, 2000) is 110%-170% of the median. These totals include the three tropical storms (Alberto, Beryl, and Chris) that have already occurred. Therefore, for the remainder of the season, we expect an additional 9-12 named storms, 7-9 hurricanes, and 3-4 major hurricanes.

The predicted 2006 activity mainly reflects a continuation of conditions associated with the multi-decadal signal, which has favored above-normal Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1995. These conditions include warmer than average sea surface temperatures (SSTs), lower vertical wind shear, reduced sea level pressure, and a more conducive structure of the African easterly jet.

While we are predicting an active season, a repeat of last year’s record season is unlikely. The season is also expected to be slightly less active than previously forecast on 22 May 2006, when 13-16 Named Storms, 8-10 hurricanes, and 4-6 major hurricanes were predicted. The expected activity is lower for three reasons: 1) atmospheric and oceanic conditions are not as conducive as previously forecast, 2) the transition away from La Niña-like rainfall patterns occurred more quickly than expected, and 3) the very persistent upper-level ridge pattern over the eastern U.S. and western Atlantic, which contributed to the extremely active 2003-2005 hurricane seasons, is not present.

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Full report available at:

http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml

2006-07-01T15:18:00.000-04:00

Some disasters cannot be prevented, but others can. Watch this Alley Cat Avatar talk about the 2005 Hurricane season and what we can do to prevent some disasters.

Prepare your pets for the next disaster

2006-06-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Series on Hurricane Preparedness in Florida

Disaster recovery officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Florida Long-Term Recovery Office and Florida’s State Emergency Response Team (SERT) urge you to have a disaster plan for your pets in preparation for the new hurricane season.

"The destructive hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 underscored the importance of accounting for animal needs during major disasters," said Scott Morris, FEMA Director for Florida Long-Term Recovery.

With hurricane season upon us, your pets need to be included in your family emergency plan.

"People must have a disaster plan that includes their pets," said Laura Bevan, southeast regional director for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "Our best advice is if you evacuate, take your pet with you."

Bevan has been working with local governments and volunteer groups in establishing pet-friendly shelters. Many Florida counties have shelters where people can evacuate with their pets, including Broward, Marion and Orange Counties. Bevan describes the shelters as having "people in one building and the animals close by in another part of the building and the people take care of their own pets."

To find out if there is a pet-friendly shelter in your area, call your county emergency management office or check the office's Web site. You should also contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

Before the disaster: Have a safe place to take your pets

• Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet! If you plan to shelter your pet-work it into your evacuation route planning.

• Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research. Many communities are developing pet-friendly shelter plans, check to see if your local emergency shelter plan includes pets.

• Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations. Go to http://www.petswelcome.com/ to search on-line for pet friendly hotels and motels.

• Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.

• Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.

• Prepare a portable disaster supply kit for your pet

• Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily

• Proper identification, including immunization records, and current photos

• Ample supply of food and water

• A carrier or cage, pet beds and toys

• Medications, medical records and a first aid kit

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.

• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.

Know what to do as a disaster approaches

Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.

Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.

Check to be sure your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment’s notice.

Bring all pets into the house so that you won’t have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.

Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and securely fastened up-to-date identification.

Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet’s ID tag, adding information with an indelible pen.

You may not be home when the evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. If you use a pet-sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don’t leave animals unattended anywhere they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite or scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

Check out these Web sites for further information on disaster preparations for your pet:

Florida State Emergency Response Team: http://www.floridadisaster.org/;

Humane Society of the US: http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/;

Information on Pet-friendly hotels: http://www.petswelcome.com/

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA became part of the US Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

SERT is a collaboration of Florida’s state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impacts. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/ for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.

http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/suwannee/
local_story_178174049.html?keyword=topstory

Alberto

2006-06-15T06:56:00.000-04:00

Tropical Storm Alberto brought much needed rain to the sanctuary and
helped raise our lake level. The tigers loved hanging out in the wet and
cool weather. We have been preparing for the 2006 storm season by
trimming the weaker tree branches, and going over safety issues.
Lets keep our paws crossed that this season wont bring us or anyone any
serious damage.

Tropical Storm Alberto swirling onshore now

2006-06-13T11:48:00.000-04:00

The center of Tropical Storm Alberto (maximum sustained winds 50 mph) is swirling onshore in the Big Bend area of Florida now. The storm will continue to weaken as it moves northeastward over land this afternoon, nonetheless it will dump heavy rain on parts of the Southeast. Flood watches are posted from parts of eastern Georgia through eastern South Carolina into southeastern North Carolina. In addition to the threat of locally heavy downpours, isolated tornadoes are possible over northern Florida and southeastern Georgia into this afternoon.

Alberto's maximum wind gusts on land so far have been near 60 mph. Winds will continue to spin down over the next several hours as the center of the storm moves through extreme northern Florida into far southeastern Georgia. A few damaging wind gusts from thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes will be the worst effects.

Alberto is expected to become extratropical tomorrow as it churns northeastward through the eastern Carolinas. Locally heavy cloudbursts and gusty winds will continue, but widespread damage or flooding seems unlikely.

For the cats,

Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue

an Educational Sanctuary home

to more than 100 big cats

12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625

813.493.4564 fax 885.4457

http://www.BigCatRescue.org MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org

Sign our petition here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/344896451?ltl=1140270431

This message contains information from Big Cat Rescue that may be confidential or privileged. The information contained herein is intended only for the eyes of the individual or entity named above. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, disclosure, and/or copying of the information contained in this communication is strictly prohibited. The recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Big Cat Rescue accepts no liability for any damage or loss caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.

2006 Hurricane Predictions

2006-06-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

Here comes hurricane season 2006. So what should we expect for the Atlantic basin? Or more likely your question may be, "what do we expect for the U.S.," or maybe, "will my town/city get hit by a hurricane this year?" Well those are popular questions these days, but unfortunately none are easy to answer!

Let me start with the first and easiest question, namely overall Atlantic basin activity. Some seasonal forecasters have been doing this for many years and the "father" of seasonal tropical cyclone forecasting is Dr. Bill Gray. The Weather Channel usually reports on his forecasts as he updates them into the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. His skill in forecasting above or below activity has been well beyond guessing or random chance. The latest forecast by Dr. Gray and his colleague Phil Klotzbach, which was issued in April (an update is coming next week), was for 17 named storms, including 9 hurricanes and 5 major (Category 3+) hurricanes.

NOAA's outlook, which came out a few days ago, is similar, for 13 to 16 storms, with 8 to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which 4 to 6 could become major hurricanes.

Much of this might be gleaned from inspection of averages for the past 11 Atlantic hurricane seasons starting in 1995 that began an active tropical cyclone era. As an example, averages for the past eleven years are: 15 named storms, 8 1/2 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. This compares to the long-term average of 10 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. Hence we have "averaged" about 150% of the long term average the past 11 years. With no strong El Nino in sight (strong El Ninos are typically associated with suppressed hurricane activity in the Atlantic) one might decide a good starting point for this season would therefore be 15, 9 and 4.

With a large portion of the tropical Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico warmer than average (though not quite as warm as a portion of it was at this time last year), that might spur a seasonal forecaster to tweak their numbers a little. But no model or person will forecast 28 storms (27 tropical, one subtropical) as we had last year; extremes tend to be outliers, and are routinely out of the range of statistical forecast techniques. As an example Dr. Gray's forecast at this time last year was for 15 named storms. Regardless, though, it appears we are in for another busy hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin.

But that doesn't necessarily equate to an active U.S. landfall season. For example let's compare two of the recent active years, namely 2004 and 2001. There were 15 storms in 2001, the same (counting one subtropical storm) in 2004, with 9 hurricanes in each year. However there were no U.S. hurricanes and no U.S. major hurricane landfalls in 2001, but there were 5 U.S. hurricane landfalls (plus a direct hit by Alex) and 3 U.S. major hurricane landfalls in 2004!

The bottom line, it is not how many we get in the Atlantic Basin that should be of interest to you, rather how many that make landfall, where they hit and how strong they are when they make landfall. One other note: in the first 9 of the last 11 active years the U.S. was more fortunate than average with hurricane and major hurricane strikes. That changed in 2004 and 2005.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

I see you -- there you sit on the coast nervously waiting for hurricane season and "hoping" you won't get hit. But it only takes one, so do not fret over these seasonal forecasts. Instead do something about it.

If I were the great fortune teller of hurricanes and was never wrong, and I told you your city would be hit by a Category 3 hurricane on August 1, what would/could you do? Well, you could try to sell your home and move away, but buyers would have heard about the great fortune teller's forecast too, so good luck selling!

You would make sure you were safely out of town on August 1st. But that still leaves your home.

So if you were smart you would immediately beef up your home's ability to withstand high winds. That would include window shutters/coverings or hurricane windows; reinforcing the garage door; adding very strong roof/wall/floor tie-downs; trimming the trees near your roof; strengthening walls that might not hold up in that Category 3; and making sure roof shingles/tiles are all well intact. If you built on the beach you might even consider raising your home on hurricane-proof piles so it sits well above surge and wave threats. You would probably make copies all your irreplaceable items and put those copies in waterproof containers and send them to Aunt Martha's house in Iowa for safe keeping in case you lose the originals in that hurricane.

That is about all you could do: MITIGATE against the onslaught of the impending hurricane!

Unfortunately, I do not have a crystal ball, nor does anyone else! So what are you waiting for? If you live on or near a hurricane-prone coastline, you should know you have the potential to be struck by one in ANY year. Forget worrying about these seasonal forecasts, and get busy preparing for the worst. Fortunately most years will be false alarms, and you will be just fine in your particular location. But you will be ready when your fortune runs out!