Metro Jacksonville

Community => Parks, Recreation, and the Environment => Topic started by: jbroadglide on June 23, 2010, 01:38:37 PM

Title: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: jbroadglide on June 23, 2010, 01:38:37 PM
I would like to introduce everyone to The Cattyshack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. The Catty Shack Ranch is dedicated the rescue and care of big cats. We provide sanctuary to cats confiscated by the state for illegal ownership, improper enclosures or maltreatment. We also educate the public to discourage illegal, private ownership.

Cattyshack is open to the public on weekends and has night time feeding sessions every two weeks on Friday nights. The next scheduled night time feeding is this Friday June 25th from 6pm to 8:30pm. Feeding starts at 7:45pm.

Cattyshack Ranch is located at 1860 Starratt Rd. LOOK FOR OUR LION MAILBOX

I will be updating this as new events come up.

Thanks for reading. BTW my Avatar is Tucker, a Cougar that I adopted at Cattyshack Ranch.

http://www.cattyshack.org/
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: BridgeTroll on June 23, 2010, 01:43:52 PM
I had no idea!  Cool pix BTW...

http://www.cattyshack.org/Photos/photos.htm
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: Captain Zissou on June 23, 2010, 01:55:15 PM
I looked on google earth and the lion sign is HUGE.  Can't miss it.  I'd love to check this place out sometime.
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: jbroadglide on June 23, 2010, 01:55:51 PM
A lot of people have no idea they are there. And have been for 25 years.  Hopefully you will get a chance to go visit. Its an amazing place. The HOG Chapter I belonged to also adopted Sarah a Siberian Tiger.
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: jbroadglide on June 23, 2010, 01:57:22 PM
Cap, go out on a Friday night during feeding sessions. During the day the cats are pretty dormant, as most wild animals are in the heat. But when its feeding time....stand back and cover your ears! Its a sight to behold..
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: Shwaz on June 23, 2010, 02:04:24 PM
A good friend of mine donated the Arctic Fox. I tried to talk her out of buying it as a pet and luckily the Catty Shack was here to adopt it.  :D
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: jbroadglide on June 23, 2010, 02:20:04 PM
Lolli The Arctic Fox...not a very pleasant smelling animal
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: Shwaz on June 23, 2010, 02:28:41 PM
You'd have b.o. too if you were genetically built for the arctic but living in FL  :D j/k

At the time my friend was renting a room and Nolli was nowhere near the domesticated animal that was promised by the breeder. It was a disaster.

Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: jbroadglide on June 23, 2010, 02:34:23 PM
My typo...Nolli, not Lolli  :o
Nolli has the odor of a skunk..Thats why she is all the way at the back of the ranch. All the other cats protested about the smell and made Curt move her.
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: Overstreet on June 23, 2010, 04:26:35 PM
I'd say that if you are there and they walk a tiger around on a leash stand to the back of the crowd so it gets them first.
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: finehoe on June 23, 2010, 04:47:33 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 23, 2010, 01:55:15 PM
I'd love to check this place out sometime.

It appears you already did!  http://www.cattyshack.org/Photos/Clebs/celebs0009.jpg

::)
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: tufsu1 on June 23, 2010, 10:28:34 PM
I have volunteered out there several times...they're always happy to have helpers!
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville UPDATE
Post by: jbroadglide on July 07, 2010, 07:43:34 AM
Cattyshack has acquired some new residents and is in the process of getting a few more. Welcome aboard to a 7 year old Serval named Jacardi, a 10 year European Wildcat named Bobby and a 18 year old cougar named Sampson. And thats not the end of it. We still need to go get 2 more tigers, 2 cougars and a coatimundi. 6 new cats means more mouths to feed and care for.
I hope you all will pay a visit to Cattyshack and see the new residents and all the cats.
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: tufsu1 on July 07, 2010, 08:46:35 AM
They also need some help in building additional cages to house these new residents....folks will be out there at 9am this Saturday (7/10)....come out if you want to help!
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: Vtlsgns on July 09, 2010, 02:39:49 AM
jbroadglide

Thanks for the posting! What a great org. Can't wait to get out and see the cats.
Super Kewl group of people with a great mission.
Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: jbroadglide on July 09, 2010, 08:00:51 AM
Quote from: Vtlsgns on July 09, 2010, 02:39:49 AM
jbroadglide

Thanks for the posting! What a great org. Can't wait to get out and see the cats.
Super Kewl group of people with a great mission.
Well come on out this Saturday or Sunday. Its a two day fundraiser.
Saturday, July 10, 2010 & Sunday July 11, 2010

1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
1860 Starratt Rd on Jax Northside

Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: KenFSU on February 14, 2013, 12:44:16 AM
Guys, if you haven't been to Catty Shack yet, this place is a true gem here in Jacksonville.

They are just doing amazing things for these animals.

I have no idea why, but people just don't seem to know about this place.

For those not familiar with Catty Shack, they take in big cats from zoos and owners who can no longer care for them and give them a fantastic, stimulating home and proper care. They have about 40 animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bobcats, and even a pair of arctic foxes.

As an example, they have a spotted leopard named Lucky who was confiscated from a negligent owner. When they received Lucky, he was so stressed that he had pulled out all of his hair. Now, 12 years at Catty Shack later, and he just looks happy as can be.

For my money, it's the best $10 you can possibly spend in Jacksonville.

I highly urge everyone to support these guys, as it's obviously a labor of love and empathy over business.

http://www.cattyshack.org/

Head out there soon while the three new tiger cubs are still tiny!

Even better, collect some old phone books before you head out there (the animals love to shred them).




Title: Re: Local Big Cat Shelter in Jacksonville
Post by: KenFSU on February 14, 2013, 12:57:52 AM
Here are a few photos of our visit this weekend:

(http://imgur.com/bUfKxX1.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/KBpgdcB.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/8W7eaME.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/FmeScxo.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/82Y6rPq.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/xg71THF.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/OLa3Dev.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/1dMMbCa.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/125qISL.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/ZOd7ey2.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/x1FV0Bn.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/1xZ5Dlt.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/UWNb6mD.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/oOAfcrP.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/JEAJnCI.jpg)