Helping animals here, locally has been the start of my journey in the last year and a half. I spent six months with environmental restoration last year (with REF), with the ultimate goal of making it a better place for the wildlife that inhabit it. I also give my time to planting and love collecting as many natives through my work now and getting them planted. Recently, with the help of friends and family, I started creating “joey”” pouches for wildlife carers in the area that need little pouches for rescued wildlife such as possums, kangaroos and koalas. Spending time with koalas in a wildlife hospital really showed me that animals are where I’m supposed to be.
I have been given the opportunity to volunteer with Big Cat Rescue in Florida, USA. This amazing experience is through The Body Shop Foundation and there were limited spaces. The community challenge is called PROJECT ROAR and is just one of many TBSF have been a part of. TBSF are actually who started Greenpeace. They were also behind Blackfish, the documentary of Orcas and Seaworld. I’m excited to join the plight to help big cats and to help protect all big cats worldwide. This is the start to something I’m very passionate about. Changing laws and increasing awareness with big cats.
The Big cat rescue gives cats the best home possible where they have been abandoned by their owners (wrongly thinking these beautiful animals are pets). Cats too that are retired from performing/circus acts, as well as abused cats from circuses/performing events are taken on and given a forever home. Cubs are rescued from hunters after their mothers have been killed and are brought to Big Cat rescue. Injured cats too are rescued and where possible rehabilitated to get back to the wild. Education is also a big part, educating people that big cats (as well as other larger wildlife) are not pets but wild animals and should be treated as such. Big Cat Rescue is one the largest sanctuaries dedicated to the care of abandoned and abused cats. It is sad to see that there are more tigers as pets in America than there are in the wild. This view of having big cats as pet’s needs to change and Big cat rescue are behind this mission.
Big Cat Rescue is home to 80+ cats. When you think of “Big Cats” they’re more than just tigers, leopards and lions, the family have smaller big cats too. Bobcats, Lynxes, Florida panthers (cougars), servals, caracals, ocelots, jaguars and pumas are have all had a place there. There are smaller cats too like the sand cat, leopard cat, fishing cat and jungle cats. A rare and elusive cat; the Geoffrey’s cat also calls Big Cat Rescue home. This challenge will help end abuse of big cats in captivity and prevent extinction of all these beautiful big cats in the wild. I have a GoFundMe set up https://www.gofundme.com/chrissyprojectroar but am holding a bingo night, to help fund raise for the project. It is on the 4th June, 6pm at Big Fish Tavern,Caboolture. There will be many prizes and a raffle too. Please help me make a difference, working on changing exotic pet laws and giving care to abandoned big cats; it’s time for a positive change!