Weekly Update for Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge - Turpentine Creek "Cat Of The Week"

Turpenitne Creek Weekly Update

Greetings!
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge staff, interns, and many volunteer groups have just about finished erecting 3,280 feet of new perimeter fence. The completion of the new perimeter fence is the final step in the grand plan to create a perfectly safe place for all the animals in our care. Thanks to all of you who were able to support the refuge in this huge task. Let us move forward!

Soon we will be able to start building new habitats, sometime in September I hope. With so many cats waiting to make Turpentine Creek their permanent home we must continue to make room for new arrivals. Please donate to the Habitat Fund so we can purchase the materials needed to continue to move forward.
Thanks,
Scott Smith
VP TCWR

Cat of the Week - Rasha

A man fifty miles south of St. Louis, MO. called the refuge to ask if Turpentine Creek could take his two cougars. He had bought the cats when they were young and kept them in a poorly built enclosure in his back yard for 14 years. The enclosure was big enough but had been smashed by a tree when it fell during a storm. The tree fell on the cats large playground so they were forced to live in the smaller area for two years. The mans wife was in poor health and could not work. This made it too difficult for the man to keep up with his job and the cats, which were in very good health despite there living conditions. The cage was built in an area which simply did not provide access so the cats were knocked out and loaded by hand. Rasha made the trip to the refuge and is doing very well.

Weekly Video

Click anywhere on the photo below to view our weekly video on our Youtube Channel.

Animal Enrichment

For the past month, every Saturday and Sunday we have been setting up our enrichment table with great results. For those of you who do not know what that is, I'll explain it. From about 9 A.M. till about 4 P.M. every Saturday and Sunday we set up a little table right in the center of our compound. And what we do is we raise money for new cat specific enrichment toys from http://www.desertplastics-abq.com/Animals.asp and www.boomerball.com . We do this by selling a few enrichment items that we already have such as various cardboard enrichment items, paper mache balloons, and burlap sacks. Once you purchase one you get to personalize it by stuffing it with your choice of various things like cedar shavings and scents. When you are all finished you get to pick which animal you want to have it, and you can watch us give it to them! So it's a win-win situation, our animals get enrichment, you get to personally make it, and we get funds for new long lasting enrichment toys.

So far this month, your generosity has amazed me. This past weekend for example we raise well over $300, enough to purchase both Spyke, and Ziggy new toys. Throughout the month we have also been able to raise enough to buy toys for Tsavo, Bam Bam, as well as 7 other cats. So on behalf of the cats I would like to thank you again for all of your support. And on your next visit, hopefully you will be able to make your own enrichment for your favorite cat, and maybe you will get to see some of the new toys you have bought the animals here as well.

Donate for Enrichment items Today!