TX * Tiger Left In Freezing Temps Could Die! TAKE ACTION NOW * Will There Be More Deaths At WAO?

December 14, 2008

PLEASE FORWARD AND CROSSPOST FOR HELP AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN ASAP * CONTACT AND INFORMATION BELOW *

USAPSPCA <USAPSPCASaturday, December 13, 2008, 10:39 PM

White Tiger Left in Freezing Temps Could Die!

San Antonio, TX - Bubba, the white tiger is in desperate need of help as a cold front scheduled for the San Antonio area could mean his death. Bubba is an 8-year-old white Tiger that currently lives at the Wildlife Animal Orphanage (WAO) in San Antonio, TX. This non-profit organization takes in unwanted Big Cats such as Tigers, Lions, Cougars etc. and Primates from exotic pet owners, circuses and other facilities with the supposed mission of offering these animals a better life.

Unfortunately, the WAO, and its president Mrs. Carol Asvestas, only offered pain and suffering to many of its animals. Such allegations include:

Several Primates freezing to death from exposure to freezing temperatures; Over sedation of animals during transports causing them to die; Using monetary donations from the public and using the funds for personal use; Feeding primates dog food and giving them their natural diet of fruit and vegetables as “Treats” only;

Former volunteer and board member, Kristina Brunner, quit working at the WAO after learning and witnessing what was happening behind closed doors. She notified State and Federal agencies of the alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act and misappropriate of funds. The WAO has been under investigation by the USDA and the Texas Attorney General Office for almost three years now.

The picture was taken upon Bubba’s arrival at WAO approximately 3 ½ years ago. Bubba was examined and diagnosed by DVM Loretta Ehrlund with a degenerate hip disorder which could not be surgically corrected; otherwise he was in good health and was expected to live a normal tiger lifespan at the WAO. Upon his arrival, WAO president, Mrs. Asvestas, issued newsletters asking for the public donations to help build a new enclosure for Bubba and cover his medical costs. Despite thousands of dollars raised for Bubba’s new enclosure, to include low shelters and a low pool, Bubba currently lives in a small enclosed cage with a concrete-like dirt floor with no hay/ mulch or other tigers to help him keep warm. Nor does it appear that Bubba is receiving any pain

medicine for his health condition.

It is anyone’s guess what has happened to the money donated specifically raised for his new enclosure and health care. The following video footage was recently taken by a tour at the WAO. Listen as the tour guide contradicts the original diagnoses offered by the DVM and toward the end of the video states “maybe you can get some mulch too” --hoping to entice people to give more money. You can see that Bubba has lost a lot of weight and appears to be in pain when walking.

(http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HdQSJ3ZHMJM)

US Animal Protection President Mrs. Dawn Bechtold over the summer went under cover to obtain video footage that is being used to build a case against the WAO. For now, Bubba is in need and any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please DO NOT send any money to the WAO. PLEASE CONTACT the following individuals for donation information or how you can help:

Marjorie Banks Mrs. Dawn Bechtold

US Animal Protection Representative US Animal Protection President

Ph – 423 629-2634 usanimalprotection@ aol.com

Banks_marj (AT) comcast (DOT) net

Elithabeth Pannel USDA

703 812 6639 DVM

Loretta Ehrlund DVM. Ph 210 509-1707

texvet

CONTACT the Texas Attorney Generals Office to inquire about the status of the case against the WAO at http://www.oag. state.tx. us/agency/ contacts. shtml. For a more in-depth expose of the WAO and their acts of animal cruelty please visit: http://rexano. org/wao.htm.

Terrence Forbes-Taylor

United States Animal Protection

Atlanta , GA Representative