Our Little "Reminders"

Often times, we get asked about getting "too comfortable" with the animals. This is something that, at IEAS, we never allow ourselves to do. One of our past interns stated it perfectly when she said "Complacency is a keeper's worst enemy." Losing the healthy respect and fear for these animals and simply "going through the motions" of our daily routines, can inevitably lead to disastrous and potentially deadly results. An extremely strict set of safety regulations and precautions along with meticulous enforcement of safety protocols means we don't allow staff or interns to work alone or without double (and even triple) checking each step in any of our routines around the animals. We are careful to ensure that our minds are focused on what we are doing and nothing else as we work around the animals. While we, of course, love each animal and enjoy the time we spend around them, we can not allow ourselves to forget that they are wild.

That being said, the animals remind us daily of just how wild and dangerous they really are. Even those animals who seemingly have the sweetest and most docile temperaments can be deadly. All it takes is seeing Kumar, who is often revered as being a "big teddy bear" stretch against the fence, exposing his 2 inch, razor sharp claws or a yawn from Titan, showing off some intimidating canines, to remind us that one wrong move can lead to damaging and even fatal results.

We are always sure to see these daily occurrences as little reminders of the animals we are working with. No matter how deep our bonds go, instincts can always lead an animal to act on it's wild nature.

Shopping Galore!

 Have you been to the IEAS gift shop? We've got a great selection of souvenirs for you to take home from your visit, and we've been adding lots of new items recently. Complete with everything from water bottles to stuffed animals, mouse pads to t-shirts, and everything in between, the Sanctuary's gift shop is the perfect way to ensure that you will forever remember the amazing animals you meet at IEAS!

If you haven't been recently, it's a great time to come out and do a little shopping for yourself or the animal lovers in your life. Remember, 100% of the proceeds from gift shop purchases go to the IEAS animals, so there is more than one reason to shop at IEAS!

And keep in mind that the gift shop isn't the only way to make purchases that will benefit the animals at IEAS. We've got plenty of ways to help through shopping, even shopping on your favorite stores! Check out Yellow Brick Mall to find your favorite store and start shopping! You can also shop through iGive and many stores (way more than you think!) will donate a percentage of what you spend to IEAS! Find us as International Exotic Feline Sanctuary on iGive!

Find even MORE ways to shop and ways to help here! 

Meet Jenni - again!

Say "hello" to Jenni Swanson! You may recognize Jenni as a past intern of IEAS, but she recently returned to the Sanctuary as the first ever participant in our new Apprenticeship Program! Throughout her time here at IEAS, Jenni will be an Assistant Keeper and take on the responsibilities of a keeper. This will help her as she gains valuable experience that will aid her in getting a more permanent job at a reputable animal facility.

For now, as she just arrived a few days ago, Jenni is jumping right back into our operations and is brushing up on our safety and daily routines. She has even begun to take on new responsibilities, such as drive throughs (safety checks).

We are so happy to have Jenni back here at IEAS, and we can't wait to see how much the rest of her time at the Sanctuary teaches her!