My Brothers’ Keeper Animal Sanctuary

Thousands of tigers are being forced to live with inhuman conditions… a staggering and frightening reality.

• What happens to retired zoo and circus animals?
• What happens to that adorable little tiger cub posing for photographs in traveling circuses or roadside zoos?
• What happens when the cute little cub grows up and the owner realizes in a few months they've actually got a lion on their hands?

Many of these noble animals wind up in horribly abusive conditions: malnourished, confined in cages so small they can barely turn around.

I heard about my tigers, Izzy, Max and Kenny, in March of 2006.

They were owned by a guy in central Oklahoma who had rescued several big cats from absolutely horrendous circumstances:

-- A few of the tigers he rescued were once used to protect methamphetamine. The previous owners had buried the meth under the tigers and starved them to keep them mean.

-- A lion I once worked with was kept in a garage. His calcium deficiency was so great that his bones were as soft as ear cartilage. He couldn't even walk.

I could tell you dozens of pathetic tales, but I won't. This is a story of hope and love, not tragedy and tears.

When I went down to see the Izzy, Max and Kenny, they all seemed happy enough, however, according to my standards, their living conditions were still very poor.

There are a lot of expenses and hard, back-breaking labor involved with the care of tigers if you do it right:

The guy who rescued them loved them, but still didn't take proper care of them.

• The tigers were living in 10 foot by 10 foot pens (tigers are about 10 feet long from the tips of their noses to the tips of their tails). They barely had enough room to turn around.
• The great cats were living in and walking on their own feces.
• They were being fed a sub-standard, largely synthetic diet.
• Their hind legs were horribly skinny and atrophied from not getting any exercise
• Their normally luxurious coats were rough and yellow.

This particular owner also had the tigers de-clawed. The vet butchered their paws in the process. In Kenny's case the bones fused and then would break under his weight. The shards wound up tearing up the insides of his foot. We had to do a five hour surgery on him to correct just one paw. 

Lots of refuge owners expand beyond their capabilities as they find more and more animals in desperate need of rescue. The tigers they rescue live in barely adequate conditions. When funding dries up, the lives of the very animals they tried to rescue are threatened.  

While I will only rescue a handful of animals, with your help, they will live in the very best of environments, given the very best food and veterinary care. And of course, they will continue to be adored with the utmost love and attention.

Diet is an essential part of tiger care. These cats can weigh up to 550 lbs, and have specific nutritional needs. Some refuge owners brag to people that they serve their animals USDA grade meat.

In reality, there are several problems with USDA grade meat:

• Does not have bacteria that help tigers properly digest the food
• Does not contain organ meats, which are loaded with vitamins and essential proteins
• Requires vitamin supplements that rapidly age the liver and kidneys
• Poor muscle development

This kind of substandard diet pushes tigers to an early death. Not too long ago, our dear Kenny died of heart failure. Had he had a proper diet and exercise from the beginning, he'd have lived a long and happy life. Sadly, proper care came too late for him. He will be greatly missed for a very long time.

Proper food is difficult to get, and more expensive. But it is available if the owner takes the time to find it.

I feed my tigers Carnivore 15. This food is used by the San Diego Zoo and Audubon Society to feed their felids. This diet requires no supplementation and the tigers absolutely love it. It's more expensive than USDA meat, but keeping my tigers healthy is well worth the additional cost.

Thanks to proper care and loving attention, these formerly abused cats are playful and healthy.

• The tigers are living in gigantic pens, with access to very large play areas for exercise.
• They have ponds, pools and toys called Boomer Balls
• I thoroughly clean their pens every day and give them fresh water to drink several times a day
• They get treats of pork, chicken and turkey

I also do a lot to change their environment daily. I’ll invent games and toys and rub different animal scents in their pens so they have something new to explore every day.

As soon as they see me come out my front door they begin chuffing (a tiger's way of purring) and rubbing up against the fence. When I go into the compound I kiss their great pink noses and they’ll present shoulders, neck or chest for me to scratch.

 

 

 

 

I'll continue to take great care of them, but I'll need your help.

My Brothers' Keeper Animal Sanctuary is a "no-monies-begged 501c3". You, our donors, decide where you want your money to go and 100% of your donation goes towards just that. I draw no revenue from the Sanctuary.

I have high hopes and dreams for Max and Izzy that you can help me work toward.  I want to give them acres of land to roam, waterfalls to play in, climate-controlled environments and most importantly, I want to safeguard their futures here.

Please make a generous donation today.

Note:  Donations are purchased in $25 units. If you want to donate $100, then you would buy 4 units, equalling $100.

Food A separate, interest bearing account has been set up for food. Tigers eat about 70 pounds of food per week, and are fed Dick van Patten's Natural Balance Carnivore 10. At about $1.45 per pound (which includes shipping), a donation of $100 will feed a tiger for a week.

Veterinary Care A separate, interest bearing account has been set up for vet care. Dr. Dan Danners, a veterinarian in Tulsa has agreed to provide care for the tigers. Barring any emergencies, vet care includes semi-annual visits, vaccines and immunizations. The annual cost is about $750.

Toys The tigers love to play with Boomer Balls (balls especially designed with big cats in mind), which last about six months. Cost per Ball (including shipping) is about $150.

Environmental Enhancement Projects Waterfalls, catwalks and fenced acreage with ponds are planned, the total approximate cost: $150,000. More details to come.

Waste Removal Annual Cost: $96 per year.

Maintenance The compound is new, so there's not much, but figure $1,000 per year for septic, concrete and fence maintenance and repair.

Utilities Approximate Annual Cost for water and electricity $600 per year.

Insurance To Be Determined Soon.

Benefactors

Extraordinary Benefactors ($5,001+)
Donor Wishes Anonymity
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Superior Benefactors ($2,501 - $5,000)
Heritage Medical Clinic, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Donor Wishes Anonymity

Outstanding Benefactors ($1,001 - $2,500)
Donor Wishes Anonymity

Excellent Benefactors ($251 - $1,000)
Jackson Levine Wegner

Friends of My Brothers' Keeper ($25 - $250)
Your name could go here

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Volunteers

Extraordinary Volunteers: Expert Volunteer requiring 2,500+ hours of volunteering
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Superior Volunteers: Experienced Volunteer requiring 1,500+ hours of volunteering
Your name could go here

Outstanding Volunteers: Dedicated Volunteer requiring 1,000+ hours of volunteering
Your name could go here

Excellent Volunteers: Promising Volunteer requiring 100+ hours of volunteering
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Volunteer Freinds of My Brothers' Keeper: Novice Volunteer, up to 100 hours of training
Carol Thomas

Staff and administration are not financially compensated for their efforts, 100% of your money goes directly toward the cause.

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Help you animal companion today... Since 1998 Bonnie has been helping clients with a wide variety of pet concerns. Clients refer to her as a Medical Intuitive and Healer. They have seen results when nothing else was helping their companion. Not only have veterinarians and medical doctors referred her to clients, they have sought her help for their own animals. Bonnie Illies

To learn more about the politics of exotic animal ownership, go to http://www.rexano.org/. Rexano