From the Director’s Desk According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. This majestic animal is one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and is also one of the most feared and revered in equal measure. The tiger is depicted in many Asian cultures as a manifestation of courage, power, passion and royalty.
So, were you born during the Year of the Tiger? The answer is yes if you were born in one of these years: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998. The Year of the Tiger is said to be unpredictable—and thus far, this prediction has come true for us. First, I’d like to welcome Gizmo and Boris to the WAO family. Their arrival was certainly unexpected, but never-the-less, we were pleased we could give these two deserving animals a new home and a new beginning. Our second unpredictable event was not only unexpected but very costly for the WAO. On February 14, 2010, the Leslie Road facility water was cut off by the neighboring property owners. Water pipes, laid down under ground years ago by previous management, was cut off and capped, thereby denying our animals’ fresh water from the neighboring well. The well owner, responding to our immediate appeal for assistance, allowed the WAO to draw water directly from the well until such time as new water pipes were laid down away from the neighboring property. The good news is now that the WAO is back on well water, the WAO workers no longer have to carry bucket after bucket of water to each animal enclosure. The bad news is this incident cost the WAO $3,401! Universal Facilities Electric, Inc. came out to the WAO on short notice and worked very hard to restore our animals’ water supply. Thankfully UFE Inc. was able to re-work our water pipes leading from the well to our animals. It would have cost the WAO thousands of dollars each year if we had to obtain our water supply from the City Public Water System. Even though we are faced with this unexpected expense, we are grateful that we no longer have to worry that our animals’ water supply will be cut-off by our neighbor’s actions. So, in the spirit of the tiger, 塞 翁 失 马, (certain bad luck is actually "a blessing in disguise"), we will continue to care for hundreds of animals that call the WAO home. Please consider a kind donation to help off-set this unexpected expense, so we can continue to provide our animals with the best care possible. Thank You!
Gizmo and Boris' Story
Last month, the WAO welcomed two new arrivals from Marion County, Texas. Tigers Gizmo (5 years old) and Boris (16 years old) were seized by Marion County's Sheriff's Office, along with more than 50 other animals, from a woman who claimed to be an “ex-circus superstar”. According to Marion County Sheriff Bill McKay, the former owner illegally harbored the animals. "She never requested a permit or applied for a permit," McKay said. "The sheriff's (office) is responsible for all wild animals. She never contacted my office about anything. She didn't follow proper procedures nor did she have the proper paperwork." The former owner was charged with six counts of animal cruelty on January 27, 2010. Animals seized included 10 caged wild cats — six tigers, one cougar, two black panthers and one spotted leopard — and about 20 dogs, dozens of cats, reptiles, a diseased monkey, mice, eight chickens, geese, guinea pigs, six goats, miniature horses, Shetland ponies and a turkey to just name a few. The big cats were found living in small cages, 4x8 typical circus cages used in transporting animals, in at least three RVs and semi-trailers that reeked of ammonia and urine. "If you haven't got a strong stomach you'll probably lose it," said Larry Nance, Marion County District Attorney Investigator. "I mean, the ammonia is so strong it just burns your nose when you walk in. The filth and the smell and then you look at these cats in these cages. They're not let out to use the restroom at any time." The former owner intended to open an animal refuge but was unable to raise the capital necessary to properly maintain and permit the animals. Below is one of the two living quarters Gizmo and Boris lived in for approximately two years.
 Today, Gizmo and Boris are happily living side-by-side in much larger enclosures at our Leslie Road facility.
 
Please consider a kind donation towards Gizmo and Boris’ care—without your charitable contribution, we would not be able to take in animals like Gizmo and Boris, at a time when these animals need us the most. Please click here to make a donation towards our animals' care.To learn more about this story, click here for video from Marion County.
We're Having A Party!
Everyone is invited to the WAO’s Rock ‘n Roll Party, March 27, 2010, from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Tour tickets will be $2.00 per person for adults and children. KONO 101.1’s Steve Sellers will be hosting the Rock ‘n Roll Party from 11:00am – 1:00pm from the KONO Party Tent. If you are looking for a special bargain, come out to our rummage sale held onsite. For directions to the WAO's Rock 'n Roll party, click here. Interested in donating items to the rummage sale? If so, please contact us at 210.688.9038 for delivery or pickup information. Arts and Crafts exhibitors are welcome to participate in this event. To reserve your table, please call 210.688.9038. So mark your calendar and make plans to visit the WAO animals on March 27, 2010 for a Rock ‘n Rolling good time!
3 WAYS TO HELP THE WAO ANIMALS! Want to make a difference in the lives of the WAO animals? We have 3 ways you can contribute to our animals’ care:
(1) Pay-Pal: If you want to make a contribution using a credit card, then PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your credit card number. Click here to make a donation using PayPal.
(2) Check or Money Order: If you do not want to make a contribution on-line, you can make a donation using your personal check or money order. With this option, when you contribute $25 or more, we will send you, at your request, the gift of a T-shirt with the imprint of one of our animals. Click here to make a donation by check or money order;
(3) Donate needed items to the WAO: By donating needed items from our wish list, you are helping us direct funds towards other animal care programs such as veterinarian, feed, and new enclosures. Click here for our wish list. |
"He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount." -- Chinese proverb Don’t strike a flea on a tiger’s head.-- Chinese Proverb  Gizmo living in his old enclosure Click on Gizmo's picture for video
"It is better to have lived one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep." -- Tibetan proverb
"Tis hard to hold a tiger by the tail." – English proverb  In waking a tiger, use a long stick.-- Mao Tse-Tung  Do not blame God for having created the tiger, but thank Him for not giving it wings.-- Ethiopian Proverb |
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