Big page - be patient to see the fur friends.
Recently visiting Des Moines, I had a chance to meet Heather and KC, two big cats saved by two very caring people, Scott and Tanya who own, run and manage Turpentine Creek (<< visit on the Web!), a place where big cats like these are taken care of when their owners can no longer do so. They have many species of big cats there, surprisingly all rescued from within the USA. These two cats were taken in at a very young age and raised from bottle nursed cubs to their not-quite-yet adult size. Turpentine Creek has visiting hours, also.
Turpentine Creek is located in Arkansas, about 7 miles south of Eureka Springs. Situated within over 400 fenced-in acres is plenty of room and natural vegetative growth and small streams for these cats to roam in. I had a great time photographing these beautiful cats, and getting close enough to pet them was a dream of a lifetime. Even though they're friendly and tame, they still retain their instinctual wild habits, and should always be thought of as a wild animal.
Right click and save a Tiger Tile from Heather!
KC was quiet the evening I was there, Heather, as she got tired, became more vociferous. Big cats have many vocalizations, and Heather only demonstrated a few. But, if you have a cat, and heard it give a long, drawn out meow when you look at it, as in 'ahhh', Heather does that also, but much more throaty and deep voiced.
Scott certainly has a rapport with all his animal friends. They just don't simply 'respond' to him, they know him as anyone would know a human friend, by actually showing excitement and affection towards him.
KC was getting a little tired and bored toward the end of the day and began throwing hay. After all, it had been a long day of watching people and posing for pictures while they came into her cage to pose with her.
If any of you have ever owned a dog or a cat, and they've laid down and lazily eaten out of the food bowl while you've held it like Scott is, then you know the feeling. That's one pampered and spoil feline!
Heather looks at everything - she doesn't miss much!
Heather is a very expressive cat, and a show off when the attention wanes.
Scott's giving a pep talk to heather - there'll be food and rest soon!
Be sure to visit Turpentine Creek on the web, and go there in person if you can to see Heather and KC.