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Tiger King: Episode 4

Casting aside logic and ethics, Big Cat Rescue continues to inflict untold amounts of pain and suffering upon tame pet domesticated rabbits and rats. Defenseless animals that are considered to be expendable by those lacking compassion, are inhumanely condemned to being forced into a cage housing wild cats and excruciatingly ripped apart. Many of these innocent creatures can be seen trying to befriend the temporarily caged predators moments before being killed.

ABC Action News: Rescue groups collide over feeding one animal to another
2011 - A photo posted on social media by Big Cat Rescue revealed some of their workers proudly smiling and showing off what appeared to be three beaten rabbits covered in their own blood (one rabbit’s eyes were still open).  Local media coverage followed by public outcry ultimately led to the photo being copyrighted by Big Cat Rescue. The photograph was nearly scrubbed off the internet as threats of lawsuits for posting it emerged.

In an interview found within Netflix’s Tiger King documentary series, Carole Baskin was confronted about the aforementioned photo and gave an appalling explanation which showed her true colours as she laughingly referred to the murdered rabbits as “treats” for their favorite cats.

Live Feeding of Domestic Pet Rabbits and Rats
828.12(2), F.S. Cruelty To Animals
 (2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal, or a person who owns or has the custody or control of any animal and fails to act, which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, commits aggravated animal cruelty, a felony of the third degree.

2011 - Big Cat Rescue claims that they must use live prey animals when it comes to teaching wild caught bobcats how to hunt in preparation to being released back into the wild. 
2015 - Big Cat Rescue claims bobcats are scavengers and will eat almost anything, and are natural born survivors. 

In our opinion, Carol Baskin, the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, routinely makes up her own facts to justify her barbaric methods. A true proponent of animal rights would never condone the practice of feeding live domesticated animals to wild caught animals. In what seems to be an attempt at avoiding backlash from the public, Big Cat Rescue tries to fool well-meaning people into believing this abhorrent practice is widely accepted by experts in the field of wildlife rehabilitation.

Contrary to what Big Cat Rescue would have you believe, live feeding is not the preferred method by the most respected of wildlife rehabilitators. In fact, numerous statements we have gathered from rehabilitation centers​, biologists, and veterinarians unsurprisingly reveal that the practice of live feeding an animal to a predator born with natural killing instincts is unnecessary, cruel to the prey animal, and detrimental to the bobcat when released back into the wild.

Bobcats that have been released into the wild will not find tamed domesticated rabbits and rats that approach them out of curiosity and playfulness. The practice of feeding live domesticated animals to wild caught bobcats only results in the torture of a sentient helpless being for no good reason.  

We the petitioners respectfully request IWRC honor their Code of Ethics; address the serious animal cruelty issue of live feeding while promoting ethical rehabilitation practices that do not include the deliberate torture and killing of pet domestic rabbits and rats, viable alternatives as seen with the National Bobcat Rescue and Research Foundation.
IWRC guidelines pg 17:  Standards of Wildlife Rehabilitation
"Domestic animals should not be allowed at the rehabilitation facility. If this is unavoidable, domestic animals should be fully vaccinated and should have no direct contact with, nor direct exposure to, wildlife”.  

We respectfully ask National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association to honor their Code of Ethics, oversee their members and to encourage responsible and ethical rehabilitation practices.  

We the petitioners respectfully call upon Ashley Moody and Florida Fish & Wildlife to honor and uphold Florida Statute 828.12(2),Cruelty To Animals.

This disrespect of life and wanton cruelty is proudly promoted without guilt or feeling.  Pet domestic rabbits and rats are not expendable and their lives are not less important or less precious than any rehabbing predator.  Domestic pet rabbits and rats are social loving beings and pets to millions of people.  

References
Statement from Mystic Jungle Educational Facility

Investigation Request between Florida Fish & Wildlife & Big Cat Rescue Tampa

USDA Regulation Investigation Request Into Big Cat Rescue

Florida's FWCC, State Attorney’s Office, Hillsborough County, and the State Attorney

Advisory Legal Opinion - AGO 90-29 - Use of live or dead rabbits in training greyhounds is prohibited.

Moses and Precious, permanent residents/pets at Big Cat Rescue were given live rabbits to play with and kill.

Big Cat Rescue selling Freeze Dried Domestic Rabbit Treats for Cats

Total disrespect of precious lives,

For The Rabbits,
Linda Sue

Rabbits In Need Inc