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Big cats settle into their new home
Kim Williams / Staff Photo - 'Grumpy' is perhaps the worst case of the six rescue tigers re-housed at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center. Named after his grumpy attitude, this cat underwent immediate surgery upon rescue.
By Kim Williams, kwilliams@acnpapers.com
In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center recently welcomed six new tigers to the compound.
A rescue took place to transplant two white tigers and four orange—all adult males. The cats were voluntarily surrendered by their previous owners, breeders who have been in business for more than 16 years.
The center is dedicated to the rescue and care of abused, neglected or unwanted exotic cats. Now after the recent rescue, there are 53 exotic cats and one coatimundi residing at In-Sync, including three rare white lions, a golden tabby tiger, a tiger cub and now three white tigers.
Keahey spent near $6,000 on veterinarian costs on the first day of the rescue due to the condition of the cats.
“One of the white tigers has lacerations on both of his front feet and puncture wounds where a botched declaw has enabled some of his toes to grow back in an improper location of the foot,” Keahey said. “Brooks has severe foot and claw problems and is almost completely blind. He had no water in his enclosure when we arrived to pick him up; we had to give him Sub-Q fluids [for rehydration] before we could even move him.”
Upon their arrival, only two of the tigers had names – Harley and Brooks.
“A third tiger is called 'Grumpy' because of his attitude,” Keahey said. “His attitude is due to claws that are curling around and sticking into the pads of his feet. We will be naming the other three as we get to know them.”
The tigers had been confined to concrete-only enclosures that are only 10 feet by 10 feet square and 8 feet tall.
“Conditions in which they were living were clearly not sanitary, and we do not believe that the cats have ever walked on grass,” Keahey said. “Their paws and claws reflect this, and [they] will almost certainly need medical intervention to make walking more comfortable for some of the cats.”
Because each tiger will need his own enclosure, In-Sync Exotics is in the process of expanding to accommodate them.
“This will come at a significant cost of more than $50,000,” Keahey said. “In the meantime, many of our cats will be slightly scrunched up; however, we are committed to maintaining our high standards of care for each and every one of our beloved boarders.”
Dr. Charles Kerin of Parker Road Veterinary Hospital in Wylie has been the center’s doctor of choice for eight years. For more critical issues than daily maintenance or when they need further diagnostics, they go to Texas A&M University in College Station.
“We rushed Grumpy to A&M and did do surgery on his feet,” Keahey said. “We are going to have to spray his feet with Betadine and keep him on an antibiotic for about 10 days as well with Harley and Brooks for their feet. When their enclosures are finished, we will have to sedate them to neuter all of them and do a recheck of their feet at that time.”
Dr. Sharman Hoppes, zoological veterinarian and assistant clinical professor at Texas A&M University, assisted Keahey when she went to retrieve the cats from their owners.
“When we saw Grumpy, we could tell that there was an obvious abnormality,” Hoppes said. “He was walking funny, with his feet turned over – almost like he was walking on the tops of his feet.”
Hoppes sedated Grumpy, and the two went back to the university to begin immediate treatment.
“At first I was very concerned that he would have an infection to his bones, because this wasn’t the first time his claws had grown into his pads and broken off into them,” Hoppes said. “There were scars indicating he had dealt with this problem and lived with severe pain for years.”
Declawing Grumpy was an option she had to explore, but big cats are made differently than domestic cats; the procedure would result in further damage and trauma for the animal.
“Claws aren’t retractable in large cats like they are in domestics, so it would be like declawing a dog. It would take away too much of their structure,” Hoppes said. “We were afraid that he might not recover, also which influenced my decision.”
If Hoppes feels Grumpy could withstand removing a couple of the bad toenails, only then she might venture in that direction.
“If we decide to do that on him or any of the cats that have toenail problems, we will use a laser, which reduces the amount of pain and blood involved,” Hoppes said. “The laser surgery provides a faster procedure and a more rapid healing process.”
Hoppes estimates Grumpy’s age at between 15 and 16 years old.
Brooks seems to have a cataract on his left eye, which causes him to not see clearly.
“If there is any way feasibly we can remove the cataract while saving the eye, then we will, probably,” Hoppes said. “If we believe we can save his eye, then the surgery will be a good thing; and like a dog with a removed cataract, after he heals, he’s chasing a ball in no time. We hope that’s how Brooks will be.”
Hoppes has worked with Keahey for about five years.
“Vicky takes really, really good care of these animals,” Hoppes said. “I have so much respect for her because if she can’t do it, she finds someone who can, no matter what the problem is. She just makes it happen, and those cats need someone like her.”
All of the new cats will live in the enclosure that is being built for them. “They will be able to see each other as they always have in their previous life,” Keahey said. “I’m confident this will make each of them feel better. Our other cats can see them and right now are a bit stressed with the new faces.
“The new enclosure will be fitted with five night houses and a playground of 7,000 square feet,” Keahey said. “I am hoping to raise enough money to complete it with a pool and waterfall like our other tigers have.”
Keahey is looking for substantial donations from businesses or anyone with the means and a heart for the big cats.
“The money will come from the compassion of other people that have the same concerns that I do, that all living animals have the right to live with dignity,” Keahey said. “We are having a ‘tiger trot’ to help raise funds, but this event was already in place before this recent rescue. We used to have a golf tournament but have been unable to find sponsors this year.”
Hoppes is thankful that the cats have a place to live where they can be taken care of, but she hopes funds will be made available to continue Keahey’s efforts.
She believes it is critical for the cats to have a large enough space furnished with the right equipment to provide an appropriate living environment.
“It is necessary for their mental stability, their feet and activity level,” Hoppes said. “These enclosures are absolutely necessary. It is imperative for their overall health.”
For information about In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, visit www.insyncexotics.com.
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