Grant Request for Immediate Veterinary Care

for Tigers Rescued from River Glen Tiger Shelter

in West Fork, AR

Submitted byTanya Smith, President

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge239 Turpentine Creek Lane

Eureka Springs, AR 72632479.253.5841

Turpentinecreek.org

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is currently engaged in rescuing 34 tigers currently housed at the River Glen Tiger Shelter in West Fork, Arkansas. The person owning the cats is 72 years old and in failing health. The youngest tiger is 14-15 years old; the owner was hoping to be able to care for all 34 of the cats until they succumb to a natural death. The owner’s health is not good so we do not know how much time is available. The land the animals live on is not secure. If the owner were to die, the animals would be in serious trouble. Turpentine Creek's management team has assessed the problem and knows that it is too big to conquer quickly on our own. Tanya Smith, TCWR president, has been in contact with many reputable facilities and has received a definite "we have no cage space" from all but one. This one facility is actively assessing their ability to help. TCWR has relocated six cats thus far, and one of the six was found to have a large tumor, which was removed immediately upon her arrival at the refuge.

While housing, feeding, and caring for this large number of animals will require TCWR to develop a significant funding resource on a long-term basis, the refuge is first seeking financial assistance for immediate veterinary care for 34 tigers. Since only 6 of the 34 tigers in question have been carefully examined, the refuge is estimating the anticipated expenses based on previous rescues of similar magnitude and the condition of the animals removed from River Glen thus far.

Over the past several years, we have required that any animals we rescue be examined by a veterinarian in the location of their former home before they are transported to our facility. Unfortunately, the urgency of the River Glen rescue has made this preliminary examination impossible due to the cats’ location and the timeline this rescue mandates. Once the animals arrive at TCWR, they will then be evaluated by our own veterinarian(s), provided any medical attention deemed necessary, neutered/spayed where applicable, and kept in quarantine for a period of at least four to six weeks before being integrated into the existing population.

The rugged terrain and dilapidated condition of their housing has required TCWR staff to sedate 1/3 of the animals removed thus far, and it is hoped that this percentage will hold for the remaining animals. While the animals appear to be well-fed, the deterioration of the living conditions forces TCWR to expect that annual veterinary maintenance immunizations and dental care will be necessary for all of the animals. Due to the advanced age of the tigers, it is reasonable to anticipate that at least 5 of the remaining tigers will also need surgery for tumors or other illnesses. TCWR routinely spays and neuters all animals we take in to our refuge, and those costs are also included within our request for support for veterinary expenses.

Sedation for move ($xx each x 11 tigers) $xxxx.xx Immunizations ($xx each x 34 tigers) $xxxx.xx Dental care ($xx each x 34 tigers) $xxxx.xx Spay/Neuter ($xx each x 34 tigers) $xxxx.xx Surgical expense (xx each x 6 tigers) $xxxx.xx

Total $xxxx.xx

TCWR’s mission is to provide a lifetime refuge for all rescued animals with the care, safety, and well being of the animals being the number one priority. All animals are treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve. TCWR has developed a reputation for this compassionate care across the country with law enforcement, universities, and others sharing a commitment to the Big Cats and other animals. In fact, local law enforcement, concerned about the cats’ current owner’s health, called TCWR in to assist with the River Glen rescue.

Of the many refuges in the United States, TCWR is one of the largest facilities of its kind open to the public anywhere in the world. Big Cats have been rescued from many states across the country including Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, and Tennessee and are provided a home in a caring and nurturing environment.

Relocation ChallengesAnd Surgical Needs

River Glen Tiger Shelterin West Fork, AR

Current Housing and Environmental ConditionsRiver Glen Tiger Shelter in West Fork, AR