Tiger Haven

Is this Tiger Haven mailing address PO Box 7044, Merrifield, va?
If so, MaryAnn, I am checking to make sure your routing number
and bank account number are still the same. Will be wiring my
annual donation to you and am confirming the correct numbers.
Please send me an email with the numbers to
darlenejof@yahoo.com darlene ferrantino
Mahalo

I have been giving small donations to Tiger Haven for several years. Sure, they don't have a great Charity Navigator rating. But giving only to already financially successful sanctuaries is not going to help ones that are struggling to get any better. If I were convinced that Mary Lynn Haven was wasting her resources, or abusing the animals, I wouldn't continue supporting them. A suggestion I have which they may have decided not to pursue, would be to selectively open the sanctuary to small groups (e.g. schools, organizations, etc.) for educational and informative purposes. This should build regional support as well as bring in some ongoing funding.

So many people are leary of donating to anything these days. Is it for real? Yep! I can tell you Tiger Haven absolutely is for real! Mary Lynn (the owner), Cheryl (office manager) and their meager staff work so very hard to keep a promise Mary Lynn made to take care of Big Cats years ago, no matter their need. So many of the Cats come from abuse situations. Some have been cruely declawed with a machette by some cruel misinformed people who perhaps obtained these cats as cubs not thinking that they would grow up one day. Then what? By the time any of these Cats come to Tiger Haven they cannot be returned to the wild. They could not survive on their own. Tiger Haven is located in Kingston Tn. UT Knoxville's Veterinary Sciences Department provides excellent veterinary care, day or night, for these Great Cats. Many of the more than 240 Cats are aging. They may need special diets, medication, dens. Some need surgery for different maladies including those that have been so cruelly declawed. Can you just imagine someone coming at you with a machette and whacking at your feet!? Much of the time the bones in their feet are mangled during this cruelty. Their paws must be fixed so that the Cats can once again walk with some comfort. One such beautiful Tiger was Bombay. He is the reason we got involved with Tiger Haven. Bombay has since passed on. But Mary Lynn promised these Cats a "forever home" so when one of the beloved Cats pass on they are cremated and kept in a mausoleum that was built inside Tiger Haven's compound. That's love, that's dedication. It's hard work to maintain Tiger Haven, making sure it passes all the many inspections they must pass every year. There is always something that needs repairing, replacing, redone, rebuilt or just built! Their freezer for the Great Cats' food recently went out and it cost thousands to replace it. Their old transport van couldn't be repaired any more so they had to buy another one and it had to be fitted with transport cages for transporting the Cats to and from the vet and/or going to different places to pick up yet another Cat or Cats in need of help and love. The meat prices for feeding the Cats recently went up. Floods wash out the dirt/gravel roads/paths inside the compound and even flood the Great Cats' dens at times. They have to have the "roads" regraded and re-graveled and dens have to be pumped out and plants that would naturally occur in each Cat's den that get washed out, have to be replanted. It seems to be a never ending labor of love for Mary Lynn, Cheryl and the staff. It takes more than love though. It takes a LOT of work and even more money to keep Tiger Haven going. We go to visit our son and his family who live about 15 minutes outside Sevierville Tn. quite often. When we have time we like to go over to Kingston and just park outside the compound at Tiger Haven in hopes of hearing some of the Great Cats. And, we have, once. It was a thrill for us! As close to a safari-like situation as we'll ever get. The Cats are not visible in any way. They are well hidden and protected from the public. The public is not allowed inside the compound for many reasons. One reason being not to upset the Cats with a constant parade of strangers. Many of the Cats have been through so much! Another huge reason is the enormous, added cost of insurance to allow such and added cost of constructing restrooms, etc. It seems some of the neighbors do like to kick sand in the face of Tiger Haven, always complaining and causing problems for Tiger Haven. They complain run off, they complain about odor.....we've parked right outside the compound and did not detect any odor! We did not see and run off. They complain about the noise when the Cats do go to "sounding off". Although there are one or two neighbors who, like us, say they like to hear the Great Cats. They enjoy listening to them and knowing that a neighbor of their's in Kingston Tn. is keeping a promise made to Big Cats many years ago and that is to help as many Cats in need as is at all possible. One things is about these complaintants is, they knew Tiger Haven was there BEFORE they bought their real estate, for the most part. They knew about it but bought there anyway. Why complain? Just sell and move. Tiger Haven was there first, established, permitted and helping those of nature that almost none of us will ever get to do. There has never been any kind of escape from any Cat. The compound is secure. The neighbors are all safe and if they don't want to hear the Cats, stay inside, turn up the TV, radio or whatever. Unnecessary, time-consuming, expensive (for Tiger Haven) seem to always loom on the horizon. They haven't budged and I don't think they will. We have let Cheryl know we're coming a couple of times and she met us outside the compound and she, my husband and I really enjoyed our short visit. We have not however, met Mary Lynn as yet. Tiger Haven is a HUGE responsibility. It is expensive to keep EVERYTHING going and it is many times 24 hours a day and is 7 days every week, 365 days a year. The Cats don't take a day off. They have to be fed every day and checked on several times a day to make sure they are all okay and not getting sick and in perhaps need of medical help. Yes! It takes an enormous amount of love, dedication, grit and constant upkeep to take the wonderful care of the more than 240 Cats at Tiger Haven. Right now they must buy 1500 bales of straw to put in the dens for bedding and warmth for the unpredictable weather in the mountains. They must build some special ramps and dens for those Cats that need them....elderly Cats, Cats with back and paw problems, keeping them fed and medication to those who must have it daily. Some of these wonderful Great Cats are endangered and some were in danger of being euthanized if not for Tiger Haven saying "Yes, we'll take them!" But, it takes MONEY and lots of it to keep Tiger Haven going and they and the Great Cats depend on you and my husband and myself to keep Tiger Haven going and help Mary Lynn keep her long ago promise to love and care for these majestically wonderful animals to take care of them no matter the cost, no matter the need. Tiger Haven has had to, in many cases jump through hoops and bend over backwards to satisfy all of the different inspectors that come to Tiger Haven yearly, at different times of the year. Many times if they find a "problem" they give Tiger Haven only 10 days to 2 weeks to get it up to (their) par. Tiger Haven, Mary Lynn, Cheryl, the staff and all of the majestic Great Cats need us, all of us. If only everyone, each and everyone could spare $1 dollar each, each month, it would be so much easier to keep Tiger Haven open and going and giving these Great Cats a GREAT home, love and dedication. Veterinary care can be very expensive! The mangled paws of those so cruelly declawed had to be surgically fixed to take out pieces and shards of bone that had been broken off in their paws making them feel as if they we walking on broken glass. Until they just stop walking altogether. That surgery alone cost $2000 per paw, $8000 for all 4 paws. God Bless Tiger Haven for the love, care and dedication they afford the animals. After you have read this perhaps you will feel as though you know Mary Lynn, Cheryl, the staff and these wonderful animals. Perhaps you will want to step up and be a part of Tiger Haven in the only way you can, a monthly donor. I know, believe me I know, times are tough and money is tight! My husband and I are both on fixed incomes. But without us what happens to Tiger Haven? Mary Lynn will fight to her last breath for these animals she has so lovingly and selflessly provided a safe home. But we can all help in this and fight right alongside her! No amount is too small to give and believe me, Mary Lynn is very grateful! There is always another emergency, another need just around the corner. Please, won't you be a part of the Tiger Haven family of friends? And I than you in advance.
Very Sincerely
David & April Metheny

I am very disappointed with this charity - it seems that I receive "desperate" mailings from them about every 2 weeks. And sending me money just to have me send a donation back is a waste of valuable assets that can be spent on taking care of the big cats. Don't get me wrong, I love the big cats but I want to see the money spent on them instead of frivolous mailing looking for donations. I believe it's time to get better people involved with this organization so that these beautiful animals can spend the rest of their lives being taken care of properly. After reading some of the other reviews I believe it's time to stop my donations. There are many other well run charities that can use my help.

Iv'e decided to check out charities instead of blindly donating. I think sending money out in order to get a donation is stupid and foolish. Another thing is sending more than one calendar a year is wasteful. It seems to me that fundraising should be much lower. I feel very sad that these beautiful animals may not be getting sufficient care. I am going to hold off from donating anymore until things change.

I have been a longtime resident of TN and only recently began to have a passion for the preservation of exotic animals more specifically big cats. I was surprised to learn about this sanctuary not far from Chattanooga and disappointed to read about all the legal disrupt from neighbors. I did provide my first donation regardless of the negative reviews. It has to be expensive to run this facility and it is a job that isn't for the faint of heart. It is doubtful the animals are being used for personal gain as some suggested. It would be easier to rate effectiveness with better information but 3 stars for effort.

I believe Tiger Haven is doing their best to help these beautiful big cats. And I agree that charity navigator doesn't explain clearly,that the costs of fundraising are ridiculous. So it's understandable that Tiger Haven must spend 50%.H however,sending dollar bills in the mail-in the hopes you will get it all back,is foolish. Less than 5%will return that dollar,and those that do,will only send a small 5-10$ donation. Ex:$30k×5%=$1500×$10=$15k-$1500recovered 1$bills=$13,500. Net loss=$16,500. At best,you break even,if 10%give$10each...it is possible that if 10%respond@$25each=$75k-$30k sent out,you net$35k. I tend to think a net profit occurs not more than 3× per year. And if these mailings are done 6× a year,with 3×netloss$16k=&49,500 and 3×netgain$35k=$105k-$49,500=$67,500 net gain/year,minus payments to the experts. Not great. But I love the calendar,but I think more people love hi-quality silkscreened t-shirts,sweatshirts,etc.and would gladly pay double the cost.Also,that former admittedly underpaid employee,was working there because he/she obviously cared for the animals....so you better get the owner in-check with her spending of excess...I can't fathom why this former worker would lie about that. So, I would like to see full disclosure of all net income minus salaries&non-profits I would hope,do NOT/SHOULD NOT give bonuses. Excess income should not be at the owner's disposal. I will be conservative in donating,for now. Put it all out there&i will gladly give more to help.

I am writing this because I wouldn't have known anything about the crap that going on in China to these big cats if Tiger Haven didn't get it out there! So a lot of their $$$ is spent on fundraising. All this means is they are doing it from the ground floor. Instead of pointing fingers, lend a hand. They are shouting for help the best way they know how!!! The first time I got a petition to China was Tiger Haven.They get my vote for having the guts to give these animals the grace they deserve. I know they are on the top of my donation list , whatever Charity Navigator's stars show. And a THANK YOU to Tiger Haven for kindness and courage...

I do find it troubling that disgruntled employees have the freedom to write fictional reviews that have no connection to reality. Negative reviews are admitted former employees. Tiger Haven has a CPA who enters all receipts, and this is sent to another independent CPA for a audited financial report every year. There is no cash coming into the organization from visitors, gift shops or concessions. All donations are entered by a independent data entry company and deposited into a Tiger Haven bank account. No room, for any ill fated donations. Fundraising cost are a ongoing challenge. Tiger Haven DOES NOT have multiple non profit charters and organizations that we hide fundraising cost in like so many others. Many others raise money through another organization, then donate it to the functional organization to legally hide the high cost of fundraising. Tiger Haven is also not open to the public like a road side zoo, so all funding must come from other sources that does not use the exploitation of the animals to raise their funds.

I am responding to your comments regarding our fundraising expenses and charity rating on Charitynavigator.org I hope that this letter will address your concerns.

Tiger Haven is designated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. This status, however, does not mean that we get any federal money or any kind of subsidies for doing this type of work. Tiger Haven is 100% funded by contributions from donors. Several years ago, it became clear that we could no longer rescue cats unless we did something drastic to raise funds. At that point, we hired a professional fundraising company. This is extremely costly, but the funds that it generates far surpass any funds we could hope to secure by ourselves.

Tiger Haven’s mission is to take care of neglected, abused, or otherwise unwanted big cats. That is what we do best. When we investigated our options prior to hiring the fundraising company, we realized that this type of work was best outsourced to professionals.

The expense breakdown is alarming when looked at out of context. What sites like charitynavigator.org do not tell you is that fundraising is difficult and inconsistent at best. They also group a lot of different costs into the “administrative” category. This administrative category is not a synonym for “salaries”. Our staff is extremely underpaid for the amount of work that we do. This category includes all aspects of our fundraising such as filing a yearly permit to solicit donations (for each of the 50 states), obtaining donor lists from other organizations, bookkeeping, publishing and graphics, etc. Further, Tiger Haven is our only corporation; we do not have a parent company or other affiliate nonprofit corporations to "hide" expenses.
Another issue that is not addressed by the charity rating is the amount the percentages represent. For instance, one national Humane Society uses 19% of their income on fundraising, but that translates into $24 MILLION since their income is $148 MILLION. Twenty-Four million dollars will go a very long way to find new donors.

Tiger Haven has 280+ mouths to feed daily and our method of fundraising generates enough money (on a fairly regular basis) that we do not have to worry where the next food shipment is coming from. We are looking into alternate fund sources, however, and are always open to suggestions

I received a mailing requesting money to donate to this organization. However, after doing research online I decided not to give money because of the bad reviews here and only a one star rating on another site. I am horrified to think that this owner is using these poor animals. I sincerely hope not. It seems doing the right thing for right's sake is rapidly vanishing in this world and for that I am very afraid. Despite anyone's belief in a higher power we are all on this planet "together". No one species is here for the sole purpose of serving another. Animals are on this good Earth WITH us; not FOR us to use, abuse, discard and mistreat as we see fit. In fact, it is the opposite. We have a responsibility as a member of the species of reason to co-exist, not control and destroy. The bio diverse species on this Earth can tell us much if we let them; instead, we look down our noses at them. Disregard of any life has consequences for which people live in a dream world of arrogance. Retribution comes to all and we have yet to see the consequences of how serious this will be for many future generations to come. There are some things technology can't fix; there are mistakes that can never be undone. I sincerely hope that this organization can improve so that I can feel good about donating to these magnificent animals. For now, I will look for another.

I have watched this organization for several years and am very disappointed in the small amt of the donation that goes to the programs of actually helping the tigers. I will be sending a small donation within the next week (probably $5) and hope that at least $4 goes to helping the tigers at Tiger Haven. I certainly hope that you can find people that will donate their time to help you run this organization more efficiently so that most of donations rec'd will go to helping the tigers. Sincerely, Karen Frauman

Today I received $1 bill from this charity! I don't know who raised the stakes from a nickle or a quarter...? but I feel like I'm being played.

This charity is working for a great cause, but I am concerned about the amount of money being spent on fundraising efforts. I am sent some type of desperate-plea fundraising letter at least once a week, and it is off-putting. I wish they would limit those letters to 3 - 4 times a year, and spend the money saved on their operating expenses. Also, I am concerned about a lawsuit that they are fighting. Will my donation be going toward fighting that, or do they have a lawyer working for them pro bono? I wish they would address that topic in one of the frequent letters they send out.

Mission is needed ! You spend all that money raising money why??? All you need is to give us pics where they live the conditions and you'll get your money!! All I see is sick big cats, where do they rome !!! Show us what the description says!!! i here the state is giving you problems why??? for real why? i have limited funds but my wife and have give in the pass I WANT TO GIVE !!! Give me the reasons with pics of the enclosures,explain why the state is doing this, i know its not your salary which must be the lowest in all these charities. i believe you are for real!!

I have been on the board for a shelter and finding dependable help is difficult. It ends up the animals which are the most important thing get cared for by the people who are hard workers and things like paperwork and fundraising have to be done by paid professionals just because there are not enough hours in the day to do it all. Not the way you would like it but that is just the way it is. Donations are still needed so badly to continue to care for the unfortunate animals. They can't be adopted out like a dog for fear they end up in the same horrible situation so they are to be cared for until they die.

Incredibly poor (and annoying) fundraising techniques. 49.3% of money raised goes to the fundraiser

I would hope this organization would want a favorable report and would welcome it to create more donations. In the current years they have had troubles with the state government and residents to stay in business. They have a dedication to many big cats, but to put so much money into raising donations they need to relocate their direction.

I have been a regular donor to Tiger Haven for many years. I strongly support their mission to save/protect great cats and hope they succeed. That said, I am continually put off by what seems, at best, a somewhat chaotic management situation. Many of their requests for donations are frantic cries for help for daily disasters (e.g. "the truck won't start", etc). I have no doubt that Mary Lynn and her team do their very best, but it is really too bad that they can't persuade a good young lawyer or marketing person to come in pro bono to advise them (maybe university law students??). They seem to need vastly better daily management, awareness, and planning. Maybe that is why some raters only give them one star. I will continue to support them and I wish them good luck.

I learned about Tiger Haven through a mailing, and then looked it up online. I am so grateful to have found this charity so that I can support it. I am not able to give a lot, but every dollar helps I guess.

I understand that Tiger Haven rescues big cats from bad conditions and offers them a safe sanctuary to live their lives out in peace and happiness.

In a world that has canned hunting--not only in Africa but here in the US, in TX I think--a sanctuary like this is a blessing, a sign of hope, and absolutely needed more than ever. Do you remember when former VP Dick Cheney shot one of his friends? Yes, he was participating in canned hunting at the time.

I support this charity and have had a very positive experience with the website and my monthly automatic contributions. I wish I had more to give.

A couple of months ago I symbolically adpoted a cat from tiger haven and was initially impressed with the quality of the package they sent me. I am shocked that they got only one star and don't know what "fundraising expenses" might be because they have never emailed me and scarcely ever send me mail. In fact, they are not well publicised at all, most people don't know about the need for sanctuaries for big cats.

I cannot believe that this organization only has 1 star, when there are numerous organizations on Charity Navigator that are rated higher even though their scoundrel Presidents, CEOs, etc. are paid nearly a quarter or half a million dollars which equals a quarter or half of their funds. The president of Tiger Haven takes a meager salary which is a strong indicator that what a person donates actually goes to helping the Tigers. Check out the website, it's very informative. Unlike the bogus organizations who contacted me to become a member or asked for more money after I already had joined or donated money, I am not inundated with e-mails or mailings from Tiger Haven asking for money.