Saturday morning fun
I started a volunteer position this last week. It is located about an hour east of where I live, right next door to the middle of nowhere.
It is a ranch that provides permanent care for cats like this little fella named RJ. He's the newest addition and favorite at the ranch, as he's wildly energetic and playful.
Gizmo, however, is lazy and lethargic most of the time. He just likes to hang out and wait to be fed. Clearly there are worse ways to spend your days.
But those guys don't garner most of the attention.
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These cats do!
"The girls" enjoying their Christmas tree.
The lion and two lionesses lounging around. Apparently they have a fondness for each others' leashes.
The mischief maker. Apparently this leopard gal likes to work herself up sometimes and will run circles in her cage as fast as she can, often running on the chain-link fence walls.
As far as cats go, the ranch is currently a permanent home to 3 lions, 4 tigers, a leopard, a serval, and 3 bobcats. They were all rescued from abusive (typically through negligent domestication attempts) situations, usually while quite young. Due to excessive human handling they are unable to live in the wild again.
In addition to the cats there are horses, two attention craving llamas, two miniature horses, a big pot belly pig (who they had to put on a diet upon rescue due to being approximately 100 pounds overweight), a loud peacock, a turkey that wanders around acting offended, a small horde of chickens, rabbits, goats, and more.
So far I've just helped by doing manual labor and office work, but they quickly contrived a pile of projects for me when they inquired about my employment. It sounds like my Saturday's will be pretty busy for a long while :).
posted by Jonathon @ 6:46 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Very cool pictures! Thanks for sharing!
I want to know when you getting to start playing with the tigers?
I get to play with the tigers once they tire of my presence *grin*.
Actually, they formally require 100 hours of volunteer service and a significant amount of training before volunteers are allowed in contact with the cats. Even then it is under controlled circumstances, ESPECIALLY with the grown cats. Even though most of the cats have been there most their life (and with the same care takers and trainers) their instincts are far too strong when they mature.
However, the little guys like RJ (the baby bobcat) can be easily handled by anyone. But given that most volunteer time is spent keeping things going there isn't much time for that :).
So, I'm finally home and able to see the pictures!!!
It looks like a fun, rewarding experience. Next thing we know, you'll be playing with sharks!!!!
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