Note: Dr. Laughlin is widely recognized internationally for his expertise in the care and management of zoological animals, especially zoological cats and elephants. He has an international consulting practice limited to zoological animals and when he completed his research into the accurate genealogy of the white tiger he had well over 250 tigers in his practice alone. He also completed a landmark four-year study in the 1970's determining the efficacy, dosage and safety of a modified-live trivalent FVRC-P vaccine for use on zoological cats. 
That study included 224 zoological cats representing 19 different species and the results of that vaccination study have saved the lives of thousands of captive zoological cats. Dr. Laughlin has graciously agreed to be a Consultant for the care and management of our extensive collection of zoological cats at "Big Cat Rescue."
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Big Cat Rescue-- A Counterfeit Sanctuary--Anbody recognize the name of their expert consultant?
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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24 comments:
Wade, as you know their "expert consultant" is the convicted felon who stole tiger cubs from Hawthorn and I believe caused the death of two of them. He now posts pictures of Kenny, the poster child against white tiger breeding, saying in effect this is what you will get if you breed white tigers. I believe, and so do some professionals in the field, that he does this as a vendetta. Of course, this part of his background is not advertised on Big Cat Rescue.
Mary Ann
Wow, that's a little harsh, "Misinformation on blog "i-pets.com", I suggest they stick with the selling of dog food, and pet sweaters." Especially since i-pets.com sells neither dog food, nor pet sweaters!
Our blog is meant as a vehicle to publicize all types of pet related information - I very rarely judge the sources or criticize the information presented. I encourage my readers to disseminate the information & thank you for your input.
I do caution, often, that you shouldn't always believe everything you read on the internet!
Dr. Laughlin was the chief veterinarian for the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. During the first week of August 1984, while the circus was on tour in Oregon and Washington, two female tigers owned by John Cuneo each gave birth to a litter of white tiger cubs.1 "Snowy," a white tiger, gave birth to three white cubs, one of which died shortly after birth. "Targa," a gold tiger, also gave birth to three white cubs, all of which initially survived. Targa and Snowy were leased by Cuneo to perform as artists in a nine white- and six gold-tiger act at the greatest show on earth.
11
Dr. Laughlin secreted the five, presumably distraught cubs from their mothers, and shipped them to one Raymond Nicholas Long of the Exotic Feline Survival Association in Springfield, Louisiana. Unlike a ringmaster proudly presenting the next act, Dr. Laughlin--using the alias "Dr. Johnson"--shipped the cubs on a midnight flight from Seattle to New Orleans in an airline kennel mendaciously marked "one Angora cat."
12
Initially, Dr. Laughlin denied that he had taken the cubs and claimed that they had either been lost or killed by their mothers--a not infrequent practice among tigers. But in November, Dr. Laughlin admitted in a self-serving letter to Cuneo, who had been frantically searching for the wayward animals, that he had taken the cubs. Dr. Laughlin claimed that he had sent the cubs to Long for health reasons. On November 6, 1984, FBI agents found three live cubs and two dead cubs--which had been preserved in a freezer--at Long's facility, and on November 28, Cuneo reclaimed the survivors.
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Dr. Laughlin was charged in a single indictment with one count each of violating 18 U.S.C. Secs. 23142 and 2315,3 and was found guilty by Judge Frank Polozola. Dr. Laughlin takes this appeal, claiming that the Government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the stolen tiger cubs had a market value of at least $5,000
Margaret,
I don't know where you got that information but some of it is wrong, stating with the names of the mother tigers. They were Targa and Baby, and finding dead tigers at Ray Longs. But that is the gist of it.
Mary,
I also suggest if they had another one named Willie as well Kenny that they got them from someplace in Texas, with one of those "new bloodlines". One persons ethics can taint a whole industry.
Wade Burck
It came straight from the United States Court of Appeals,The Fifth Circuit....You can read the whole thing at http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/old/F2/804.F2d.1336.86-3012.html
Julie,
We normally don't post here with out a first and last name, but in this case, I will permit it in the hopes that you will come back often.
First of all I don't think tigers, regardless of their color are "pet related". I did view you blog further, and there some good animal things, but I don't really see, "asking for an opinion". They all look more like a statement to me.
I stand corrected on my statement "dog food" and "pet sweaters". I looked at your face page and saw rawhide chews, pig ears, pet toys, and plush pet blankets, and I just assumed. Wrong assumption on my part, and accept my apologizes.
When I looked at it further, I saw "Comfort Cruisers" for sale. Instead of a bumper to put at the edge of the window, so Snuggles doesn't whack his little neck, you might advise your readers to just crack the window, or leave it up completely. It is a lot safer in the long run for the little darling.
With Respect,
Wade Burck
Julie,
I agree, that does seem kinda harsh, almost Pro-White tiger. Your information is wrong for the most part, however it has a couple facts in it. I would have thought a blog set up with the intent of educating and debating, might have pointed out what was fact, and what was not. I remember getting the third degree for trying to argue flaws in another persons statement, and was told I was being Pro-Circus. However you get no argument, no facts, no rebuttal. You get dog sweaters and chew toys.....
Casey,
The vast majority of it was flawed, and it is such flawed/dated information that it wasn't worth debating. There are enough rebuttals here, if she was interested in learning more she would have found them.
Wade
I agree, it is flawed. But the opening shot would have been enough to chase most people away. I checked out her blog as well, she seems to be for Animal Welfare more then Animal rights, she could have maybe been educated a little, and maybe changed her view. I would guess that is no longer an option now that shes been publicly humiliated.
Casey,
I asked her to come here to this site, for a rebuttal. Her response was to say I "just copied it". No response, pro or con, so no need for my response. As she pointed out that I was wrong about pig ears being dog food, she could have pointed out how the post was wrong. It is called reading people, not assuming all are like I. Read, where I apologized for the mistake about dog food, complimented her on her site, and suggested that the window be kept up for a dogs safety, and suggested tigers might not be a good subject for a pet blog. If she is interested she will be back.
Wade
Back in the heyday of the internet in the late '90's I was hired by a "pet" website to write care sheets for a couple dozen "exotic animals." I thought it was a pretty awful idea, but it was a paycheck and I got a new computer as part of the deal. During its brief existence before going broke the site did sell dog sweaters and flea collars and whenever you clicked on a care sheet at the bottom of the page there was a list of products you might want to purchase for your pet. Somehow they failed to ask for a caresheet for tigers, but I did write one for Geoffrey's Cats and when you viewed it they tried to sell you something called a two-storied cat tree. For a white tiger it would be nice to think they'd have suggested a Friskies branded collar.
Ben
Whoa Whoa Whoa!!!
Window up!!
Bumper!!
Sue, my Healer, is having a heart attack now. She says if thats the kinda stuff I am learning on here, I would be better off taking her for a walk every time I think I should read a blog. Sue would like to point out some dogs have actually learned to not jump out the window of a moving vehicle. She did see a couple chew toys that looked almost as good as fresh trimmings from the farrier.
Wade,
I agree she was prolly decidedly against performing white tigers from the get go. But I would guess she is against them for sure now. Her blog seems to have less to do with "pets" as it does "animals" it is just linked to I-pets.com. Surely she can't think tigers and gibbons make good pets.
Julie,
If you are out there in cyber space, and have any conviction in the things you post on your blog, please respond. Otherwise one would have to assume, you were just posting blind to feel like you were for a "cause".
Casey,
I haven't work around animals long enough to guarantee what they will do or won't do. If the heeler was that responsive, she would accept the window shut, because you said so. I don't walk my dog, I just tell him what time to be home.
I didn't see anything where she was against performing white tigers, point it out to me please. Why would you guess she is against them now. She advertises/promotes a "zoo" where they will let you pet their 9 year old tiger as well as learn to take care and feed it. Did she get the idea we were for them or against them here? Did she get the idea that we are for zoo's or against them here? Go respond to the other site that has you in knots, don't keep trying to muck with this one.
Wade
Ben,
I still have a couple of books that I bought in a pet store in 1964, from tfh publications. One is titled, CARING FOR YOUR OCELOT AND MARGAY and the other is titled, WOOLEY MONKEYS, A GUIDE TO CARING FOR A WONDERFUL LOVING PET.
Thing do change, do they not.
Wade
Wait...wait...wait... Gibbons don't make good pets? Damn! But a pet site could link them to Purina Monkey Chow. In 1982 when I lived in Gainesville we shared our trailer with two juvenile white handed gibbons for a couple days. They were headed for the zoo at the community college and it was between semesters and the place was short staffed. Highly intelligent little apes who pretty much broke everything that wasn't nailed down or locked away.
Casey,
Excuse me, I meant "go to the post that has you in knots, not the other site. Sorry
Wade
See what I mean about not believing everything you read on the internet? Big Cat Rescue “seems” to be a legitimate rescue and shelter. The average person, like myself, would have no way of knowing whether they misrepresent themselves or not. Without lengthy research, the general public wouldn’t know who their experts are or whether they are bending facts in their own favor or not.
That’s why it’s such a good thing, Mary Ann, Margaret, Casey and Wade, that there are people like you who have the interest and time to research and publicize your findings.
Casey: you are a true gentleman, I wish there were more like you out there. Wade: I apologize again for my ignorance on a subject you know so much about. Now, quit belittling the products I sell on i-pets.com. Okay?
And on a personal note, let me clarify that I am not opposed to performing white tigers, I’m not opposed to zoos or circuses. I am in favor of Animal Welfare agencies, and animal rescue groups. I have mixed feelings on “Animal Rights.” Definitely, I don’t condone outright abuse and cruelty, but I think our society is becoming a little silly with this whole issue.
Julie,
This is my second request. We welcome you but we need a last name here, unless you are known to me.
The general knowledge is that a vast majority of wild animal "sanctuary's"
are not legitimate. Many of them are "axes being ground" because of some slight the individuals may have received in the "legitimate" animal field. What better way to build your dreams, then to have somebody else finance it, by telling them what they want to hear, regardless of if it is truthful or not.
Margaret is my ex wife, who was born in the circus. Casey is a young animal trainer, who perceived that you were against performing animals somehow by the post. Maybe others perceived it different, as I did. I am an Animal Trainer, and I don't have time for pet's. Thus it is not my field of expertize, which is why you won't see "pet related" posts on this blog. I may post a picture of Mary Ann's pet cat, as it is valid in the discussion of the Tabby coloration in tigers. Mary Ann is an interested "historian" of White Tigers, who has no more "spare time" then any of the rest of us. Just a thirst for the truth. I have been breeding/training White Tigers since 1976, when there were less then a half dozen in the United States. I am not responsible for other people's "ethics." Mary Ann and I have never met, and we correct each other often, along with Paul McCarthy another White Tiger historian whom I have never met.
I am not belittling your products, just expressing an opinion based on 35 years of professional animal training, and a life time of observing.
If non anonymous responses/opinions are requested and solicited, postings may not be misinterpreted or accepted as personal opinion/fact.
Julie, please come back again.
Best wishes,
Wade Burck
Probably a good idea to explain WHY so many so called sanctuaries and rescue facilities aren't legitimate. Illegitimacy as it were is found on both ends of the spectrum. Some rescue facilities are little more dealer/breeders hiding behind not-for-profit status. Be very wary of any "rescue" group that does fund-raising by working fairs and offering pictures with big cats for example. Other facilities have a specific political agenda. They're aligned with a loose knit group of animal liberation organizations and they would have you believe that not only should exotics never be owned by private individuals...most zoos and circuses aren't be trusted either. What's interesting about facilities and groups run by the later is that people involved are essentially "collectors." They honestly believe that they are the only people qualified to care for certain animals, whether tigers or elephants or greyhounds. In extreme cases they simply become overwhelmed with animals that they are essentially hoarding. Thats where the horror stories come from of starving animals and freezers filled with carcasses. Other more "organized" collectors run on-going fundraising campaigns attacking zoos, circuses, etc. or even attempting to shift the cost of "rescue" to public funding. Part of what raises red flags about the facilities we're discussing here is their membership in TAOS. Though TAOS sets fairly high animal care standards, their political philosophy -- support for a ban on the commercial use of all exotics and all private ownership -- is a bit extreme. TAOS is closely associated with Pat Derby and the Performing Animal Welfare Society. Ms Derby's goals and tactics have been debated and questioned and her original facility in Galt, CA was cited for the same kind of minor Animal Welfare Act non-compliance issues as the organizations PAWS attacked.
Wade,
I don't guarantee it either, but she enjoys riding with her head out the window enough that it is worth the risk.(How safe is riding in a vehicle anyway?) I don't tell her when to come home, cause she won't leave the yard without me. Hence I have to take her over and let her "heal" the ponies once and awhile. It's a winner two fold, cause it gives stimuli to the "dog hunting elephants" as well. I assumed she was against "performing tigers" by the info from Big Cat Rescue, where animals don't work for a living, they get sympathy for someone to make a living.
Julie,
You use the term gentleman quite loosely, but thank you. I am glad you have returned. If you like pictures and info on animals this is a great site. Wade is exactly rite about the vast majority of "sanctuaries" be careful before you go supporting one. They tend to be mixed up in all kinds of things that are bad for animals in general (including the inbreeding of white tigers for profit). That said, most of the folks here are all for better welfare of animals.
P.S. Wade,
I have seen your mutt ( I didn't realize he wasn't a pet) For god's sake Wade you can put the window down for him, I doubt jumping out is an option...
Ben,
Well said. My personal philosophy in regards to "sanctuary's" is, the damage has been done. Spend the money stopping it from happening again, and use the funds for useful viable animals, and not old, of no use to the species or the "big picture" animals. Tear out all the "pens" at the "sanctuary's" and make the land and your "solicited" funds available to biologist's and truly endangered species. In 1999 biologist captured the last Pyrenean Ibex and collected a tissue sample from her ear, for eventual cloning. I suggest if the "sanctuary's" are truly concerned and not just having their agendas payed for, they offer their property and funds to the Pyrenean Ibex, and let the "recreation clone" project get started.
Casey,
Your dog was bred to "heel", phony preachers "heal". I don't believe she was bred to heel ponies, or elephants but I may be wrong.
I was too busy gagging at the gentleman comment, to comment. I assumed somebody would clarify it soon anyway. LOL
And don't take shot's at the "handicapped". No better way to assure he is not going out the open window, unless I throw him out. He is my young son's dog, and I am tolerating/caring for him until my son comes for the summer. The "love" of my life is Romulus and Remus my Siamese turtle. And so far we haven't had a beef over windows.
Wade
Wade, I was looking to email you with my name & couldn't find your address.
I know you approve comments before posting them, so this doesn't really HAVE TO be publicized, but if you want to publicize my name, I don't care. It's pretty easy to find me by looking up i-pets.com and who the domain is registered to. My name is Julie Corsi.
Julie,
I hope you understand the need to post full names and not anonymously. If you are making a statement you should stand behind it.
My email address is wburck3@aolcom I will look forward to hearing from you. If you would be interested in a mutual link, let me know. As long as I am assured you are not AR motivated. They don't need any more help, there are enough morons in their corner already. If at that time, somebody asks me about pig ears, I will just refer them to you. LOL
Respects
Wade Burck
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