Water Weekend Wrap Up!

The 4th Annual "Quench Our Thirst" Water Weekend was a wonderful success! We had over 100 visitors come out with cases of water totaling almost 1,500 bottles! These bottles will be a great help in supplying a cold beverage to summer tour goers here at IEAS. 

One of a number of stacks of water we collected this past weekend!

Thanks to everyone who came out to visit the animals and brought cases of water. We genuinely appreciate all of your support!

P.S. At IEAS, we make recycling a top priority. Each bottle disposed of at the Sanctuary will be recycled, and we hope you do the same! 

Growing Up Fast!

We know many of you, like us, fell instantly in love with our three youngest residents - Chewy, Saber, and Odin - so, we wanted to give you an all encompassing update of their recent growth and progress!

Then

Chewy is a bundle of fur and energy! She's grown considerably, weighing an estimated 140 pounds at the present compared to her initial 30 pounds. Her confidence and independence have been growing by the day. She proudly struts around her habitat, playing with her favorite toy - a blue plastic donut with a red ball that spins around the inside. She will throw the toy all over, spin it around on her legs, sit in the middle of it, or pounce on it in her pool. It's very entertaining to watch this happy girl enjoy playtime with this particular toy! When it comes time for a nap, Chewy prefers her highest perch. She climbs up her ramps and tucks herself in, allowing us only a tiny glimpse of fur sticking up over the edge of her perch. She is definitely content and comfy up there!  Chewy has been benefiting immensely from the Sanctuary's Emotional Enrichment Program, finding security and trust in her caretakers and using them to grow into a confident, self-assured young brown bear. One thing that definitely hasn't changed - Chewy's favorite food is still grapes!

Now

Then

Speaking of growing, have you seen Saber lately? We can't believe how big this boy is! Saber is slowly transitioning from playful cub to mature tiger, and each day with him is a new adventure. At almost 11 months old, Saber still loves to spend his days playing, but one of his favorite activities has become spending quality time with his two legged friends. His warm chuffs are never in short supply, as this affectionate boy enjoys little more than spreading the love. This endearing trait always leaves us smiling after a visit. Aside from spending time with his friends, Saber's new favorite pastime is splashing around in his pool. We just filled it for the first time a few weeks ago, and to say that Saber had fun would be the understatement of the century. Saber was splashing, twirling, pouncing, and playing in the water for hours. He is still in his pool every day, always soaking wet! The Emotional Enrichment Program has already helped Saber grow leaps and bounds since his arrival, and we continue to see the positive effects it is having on him each and every day!

Now

Then

Last but not least - Odin! Odin has matured so much over the past few months, both in appearance and personality. His mane is really starting to come in now, and we are spotting little bits of black fur around his neck and front legs indicating that he really is growing up! He is filling out and getting more adventurous with his new found strength. He recently found that he was, in fact, fully capable of jumping up onto his highest perch, much to the chagrin of the tree he was then able to reach. He's been tearing at the branches and fighting the tree ever since! We're still waiting on Odin's first lion call, but we're sure it won't be long. Every time Shauna, Gedi, and Nala start calling, his ears perk up to attention. Soon enough, he will be chiming in! In the meantime, he's lounging around just learning how to be a lion. He loves the time he spends with his caretakers as part of the Emotional Enrichment Program, as it really nurtures his social instincts. It's amazing to see how much confidence this boy has gained!

Now

Peek-a-bear!

It's that time of year! We're seeing bears popping up and popping out of their winter dens, nooks, and nests! Most of the IEAS bears were relatively active this winter, wandering from cave to cave, grabbing a bite to eat on the way, but a few of our Ursidae* residents took a more instinctual approach to the cold weather.  Greta and Bertha for example both dug their own dens for the first time EVER this winter.

At 4 years old, Greta did us proud. She spent several months tucked into her very own, paw-made den within her five-acre Bear Orphanage habitat. It held up wonderfully throughout the winter, proving her abilities! Just a few days ago, Greta made her first appearance, climbing up the tree directly outside of her den. She napped there for a day or so, then took to finding the boys, Scooter and Scamp. They were happy to greet Greta, but more eager to check out her now vacant den! They ran right over to investigate and liked it so much that they took a nap there while Greta went back to her favorite summer tree!

We were quite surprised to see that Bertha had dug her own den for her first winter at IEAS. This brown bear lived the first three years of her life in the concrete "bear pits" of North Carolina. Her paws at never touched the grass or the dirt, let alone been afforded the opportunity to dig. Even still, Bertha's instincts were strong and she dug an impressive den where she spent the colder months! She has been popping in and out for the past few weeks, grabbing a bite to eat and exploring her habitat with Aggie, but retiring back to her favorite spot when nap time came around! 

We're so happy to see all of the Sanctuary's bear faces saying "hello" to us after the long winter. Bear Orphanage is bustling once again! 

***BONUS: Check out this video of Aggie & Bertha's progress with a sneak peak into Bertha's den!

*Mammal family that all bears belong to.

Warmer Weather On It's Way!

Warmer weather is officially on it's way. Actually... it's here! We've already had a few days in the 90s here in Texas, but we were more than ready for it. With the rain that we've been experiencing here and there, we are preparing for all of the weed eating and mowing on the horizon!

We just went through our stock of equipment for maintaining the Sanctuary grounds, and it doesn't look great right now. Most of our equipment is used, aged, and has been through years of service. In fact, we have several weed eaters and mowers that are barely functional or completely out of commission. We're hoping that this year will be our chance to upgrade our fleet a bit!

If you or anyone you know has a weed eater or mower (we REALLY need a riding lawn mower!) that you've replaced with a newer model but is still in good condition, we'd love to take it off your hands! If you have any questions about what we are looking for, please feel free to give us a call at 940-433-5091 or e-mail us at education@bigcat.org, but remember - we're not picky! We can even arrange to PICK UP the equipment if you live in the area!

Thanks for thinking of IEAS and the animals! We hope that you'll all be out to visit the grounds and, of course, your furry friends at the Sanctuary! 

4th Annual "Quench Our Thirst" Water Weekend!

Wildlife Candle Company

Looking for a new fragrance to fill your home this spring? We've got just the thing! Charity Wicks has partnered with IEAS to help us market and sell our own selection of scented candles, each with a specially designed label featuring a beautiful Sanctuary resident. Choose from six different scents (that will change seasonally):

                       

Cotton Fields
Juniper & Aloe
Eucalyptus & Spearmint

Macintosh Apple

Lavender
Pumpkin Chai



Pick your favorite or collect them all! These candles are sure to draw some attention with their wonderful scents and eye catching animal logos. But don't forget the best part of all - a portion of each purchase goes right to the IEAS animals! Click HERE to start shopping! 

An Unexpected Donation

A few days ago, we were so fortunate as to meet 12 year old Reese Jackson when she stopped by the Sanctuary. Reese showed us quickly that she is a truly special young woman, and her generosity is unmatched by many her age. She saved up all of her holiday and birthday money and decided that she wanted to donate that money, totaling $550, to a good cause. Lucky for us, she chose to donate the savings to the animals living here at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary. After making her donation, we were happy to take Reese around to visit the animals she helped. She even spent time with Odin, the Sanctuary's youngest lion!

We are so happy and thankful for Reese's altruism. It's rare to see such generosity in such a young person, and we are so grateful that the animals at IEAS will benefit from her kindness. Thank you SO much, Reese, for your incredible donation! 

"Rescue is worth it... because THEY are worth it."

We've seen this piece written by Ashley Owen Hill of Lucky Dog Rescue on a number of animal rescue pages. It is beautifully written and was a wonderfully touching passage for us to read. It so accurately depicts what goes through the minds of rescuers, both of exotic and domestic animals, and those who work as closely with animals in need as we do. It is most certainly worth reading.

Titan: Came to IEAS after being rescued from a traveling circus.

"For animal lovers like me, rescue is the most incredible, rewarding job... in the history of ever.
At the same time... it's also the most heartbreaking...
The truth is... You see a lot of things... you never thought you'd see.
You witness a level of cruelty... you didn't think was possible.
You feel a degree of helplessness... you never thought you'd know.
You stare at painful images... soon burned into your memory... that will haunt your thoughts forever.
You try to pick up the pieces... so many pieces... of the damage you didn't do.
You do everything in your power... but even still... you'll never reach them all.
You'll try to stay strong... but you'll mostly feel weak.
You'll build walls to protect your heart... but they'll never keep you safe.
You'll place barriers around your soul... but the pain will always reach you.
And no matter how hard you try to fight it... over time... here's the truth about what happens in animal rescue... 

Nala: Arrived at the Sanctuary as a cub with such severe
osteoporosis that she could barely lift her head off the ground. 

The neglect changes you.
The abuse hardens you.
The suffering breaks you.
The ignorance angers you.
The indifference disturbs you.
The injustice destroys you.
On a daily basis... your faith will be tested...
Your heart will be wounded...
Your soul will be altered.
One a weekly basis... you'll question yourself...
You'll question your strength...
You'll question the world.
On a monthly basis... you'll fall down...
You'll get up...
You'll go on.
On a yearly basis... you'll look back...
You'll see faces...
You couldn't save them.
You'll learn to mourn. To grieve. To sob.
You'll learn to trust a little less. To do a little more. To fight a little harder.
You'll learn to try. To hope. To pray.
You'll learn to fail. To succeed. To accept.
You'll learn when to hold on. When to give up. When to let go.
You'll learn who you are. What you stand for. Why that matters.
Then... at times... you'll forget why you matter.
You'll question what you're doing.
You'll wonder if it's worth it.
But... here's the good news... When you forget... When you question... When you wonder...
All you have to do... Is take a look around... And you'll see them.
You'll see their faces.
You'll see their smiles.
You'll feel their love.
In their eyes, you'll see their journeys...
You'll remember their beginnings...
You'll know how far they've come...
You'll remember when they didn't know you...
When they didn't trust you...
When they'd given up.
You'll remember how you healed them...
How you loved them...
How they loved you, too.
And as you look back... You'll want to move forward...
For them... and because of them.
In your darkest hours, you'll look around...
To find the differences made... the hope given... and the lives saved..
Because you existed.
In those moments, when you look into their eyes...
Every doubt will be erased.
Every question will be answered.
Every worry will subside.
Because in that instant... in each of your hearts...
You both share the very same thought:
'Every bit of pain was worth it... for this moment here with you.'
And honestly... no matter what else happens...
Those moments hold all the strength you need... To keep going. 

Rescue is pain. 

Rescue is joy.

Rescue is worth it... because they are worth it.

And that's the honest truth." 

Bill: Was forced to live for 13 years in a 4'x9' cage in a barn
before being rescued and brought to IEAS.

Kids Getting Involved!

It's one of the most heartwarming things for us to see young children wanting to get involved and help the animals living here at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary. From bringing mom or dad in to volunteer, asking about projects to do for IEAS, or raising money for the animals, we see lots of kids wanting to be a part of making these animals' lives as wonderful as possible.

Recently, we received a few letters from students Redwood Prep Charter School, expressing their reasoning for donating a portion of the funds they had raised by selling pizzas over the course of a year to IEAS. Adam stated, "We love what you guys do and we are going to give you a check so you guys can make the world a better place." Charlotte wrote that she and her friends "always want to help animals so I'm glad that you are."

It's amazing for us to see students with such a passion for helping animals and an understanding of what the animals at IEAS need and deserve. We thank them SO MUCH for their kind donations and wish them the best of luck with school and helping animals in the future! 

Christmas Tree Fun: 2014!

Our first round of Christmas tree hand outs was a huge success! All of the animals really enjoyed the seasonal enrichment, and you can bet we enjoyed watching them have fun. We saw lots of rubbing and rolling, biting and chewing, and even some splashing! The animals were eager to play with the prickly, piney trees, but most were even more eager to SMELL them. These guys love new scents, and pine tree is always a favorite.

Check out the pictures below for a look at some of the fun, but be sure to like us on Facebook to see even more pictures, plus VIDEOS of the animals going wild! 

Holiday Cards to ROAR About!

For a $20 donation, you can send a WILD holiday card that will bring joy to the recipient and the IEAS animals! With your donation, we will send your loved one a card letting them know that you made a donation to IEAS in their name! You can choose from a number of designs, AND you can pick which animal you want on the front of your card.

Check out the four available designs here below:

 Card Back:

To order your card, call us at 940-433-5091 OR go to the Donate page of our website. If you donate on the website, be sure to leave your choice of card, animal, and the name and address of your card's recipient in the comment section!

In Loving Memory of Domino

A somber atmosphere overcame the Sanctuary early yesterday morning, and we truly wish that we didn't have to bring you the news that Domino passed away the other night. Domino was 20 years old and one of the most beloved animals living at the Sanctuary. One of the "originals," Domino has been part of our family since the very beginning when he arrived in 1993 at just two months old. Since then, he has been a favorite among our loyal supporters, and we know that many of you have come to know and truly love this magnificent cat. We are sure that you will stand alongside us as we lament for this remarkable jaguar.

Domino had a presence about him that could command attention, and once he had it, he had no problem keeping it. He was a breathtaking animal to see, with some of the most piercing eyes we've ever seen. He was a proud cat, always sure to let visitors know that his space was his. Domino's trust was difficult to gain, but the handful of people who shared a special bond with him, know that it was worth working for. We treasure the moments we spent watching Domino carry his favorite firehose ball around his habitat and relax so peacefully in the sun on his high perch, and those rare occasions when we caught a glimpse of him playing in his pool are memories will never forget.

 

While initial results based on a necropsy indicate that the cause of death was liver failure, we will be sure to keep you all updated on any additional findings, as we know how much you all cared for Domino.

Thank you all for the support that you have had for Domino over the years. In all honesty, it has always been truly heartwarming to see the outpouring of love Domino would receive upon each photo update, tour visit, and experience with him. It is so evident that Domino was loved during his time here by both staff and supporters, and we can only hope that Domino felt this affection.

We will always miss Domino and love him dearly. 

IEAS will not be the same without him.

Domino

1993 - 2013

#GivingTuesday - Here We Go!

For the most avid shoppers, Thanksgiving means more than just being thankful. It means that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here. These are two of the biggest shopping days of the year, but what happens when they're over? It's Giving Tuesday!

Razoo, an online source for nonprofit fundraising, is sponsoring a day to give back - #GivingTuesday. The Razoo Foundation has generously contributed $100,000 in prizes to be donated to nonprofit organizations taking part in #GivingTuesday - like IEAS! Donations from supporters like you will be tallied all day long on Tuesday, December 3, and there will be TWO leaderboards to keep track of, each with a different set of prizes!

Top #GivingTuesday Fundraiser prizes will go to those who raise the most funds as part of their #GivingTuesday project. The Top Nonprofit Organization prizes will go to the all time fundraising nonprofit leaders on Razoo! 

There will also be Golden Ticket prizes throughout #GivingTuesday awarded to both participating donors and to nonprofits. 

SIX $1,000 Power Hour Golden Tickets 

will be awarded to the nonprofit organization that receives the most donors for the selected hour!

TWELVE $375 Golden Tickets

will be awarded to the lucky donors drawn at random every other hour of the day!

There is a minimum donation of $10, but anyone can donate! You can click here to visit the Sanctuary's #GivingTuesday page, but remember, in order for your donation to count for the contest, you must donate on Tuesday, December 3 OR you must check the box "Make My Donation Count for #GivingTuesday!"

 Click here to read the FAQ about #GivingTuesday! 

Thanks in advance for your help on #GivingTuesday!

We'll send out reminders about this special 

day as the date approaches, 

but keep us in mind as the holidays get closer!

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.