My Nonprofit Reviews

As much as I have loved Big Cat Rescue ever since I first came across them on YouTube, I promised myself I would not write a review before actually visiting there. Now I finally have and it was a real dream come true.

I took part to Wildcat Walkabout on 1st of October in 2016 as a volunteer. I handed out tickets for the visitors, welcomed them and explained how they could support different projects with their ”conservation bucks”. Before that, on the previous day, I got the pleasure to have a look at the sanctuary itself. I got to meet the cats and all the hard-working interns, volunteers and staff members. Those are the nicest people you’ll ever meet, I can assure you. They work tirelessly to make sure the cats are doing well and everything is how it should be. I had long chats with Mrs. Baskin as well and she answered any questions I might have had.

It was amazing to see the Vacation Rotation Enclosure and Small Cat Funcation. Never have I seen such huge enclosures in zoos or animal parks. Their normal enclosures are filled with platforms, dens, pools, trees and grass; all the natural elements to make the cats feel at home. No concrete or pebbles, but pure soil under their paws.

I got to see the food preparation, which greatly impressed me. I already knew each cat has their unique diet, but to see it in person and follow the interns filling the food buckets with such care only enforced my respect for them and their work. I was also impressed by how carefully BCR was planning their event. There were 90 people helping on that day, mostly to make sure no one disturbed the cats or go beyond safety wire. Cats always come first there, no matter which day or event is underway.

I was introduced to intern housing, too. Big Cat Rescue does such fantastic work with how they’re doing their very best to be environmentally friendly. They use solar energy, they recycle their waste and they have specific instructions of their recycling policy in each of the trailers. If only every facility/company/business/organization chose to support green values as strongly as Big Cat Rescue does. After studying sustainable development I was prepared to make notes and request things to improve, but I quickly realized there was nothing I could have suggested to be done better. It was already beyond my expectations.

Big Cat Rescue has always been a huge inspiration for me. They’ve taught me that even one person can make a BIG difference and that one should never be afraid to speaking up for someone who has no voice to speak for themselves. It’s thanks to people at Big Cat Rescue I volunteered in South Africa, took part to Global March Against Canned Hunting and became a vegetarian. Without them I probably still wouldn’t have a clue how abusive cub petting is, what tiger farms are and that there are such awful places for animals in the world. They have opened my eyes in every possible way and for that I will always support them and their cause.

I have seen with my very own eyes how things at their facility work and how tirelessly they are all working for a better future for both people and animals. Thank you. I hope to return with my spouse one day in the future. He was greatly disappointed he had to stay at work while I got to experience this piece of heaven.