Subject 36: Big Cat Rescue Investigative Reports, Bay News 9, WTSP Channel 10

Subject: Big Cat Rescue Investigative Reports by Bay News 9's Chris Hawes : WTSP's Mike Deeson and others.
Sources: Bay News 9 TV, WTSP TV, Dateline TV, Big Cat Rescue Website & Newsletters, St Pete Times,  Better Business Bureau


In March of 2006 Bay News 9 Investigative Reporter Chris Hawes did an expose' on Carole Lewis Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue. Hawes "combed through hundreds of pages of documents" to uncover this story.

These are the some of the same documents the bigcatrecueslies.blogspot.com researchers now have at their disposal. Excerpts from these documents, Big Cat Rescue newsletters, website entries, and the TV interview, mixed with our comments, follow.

Reporter Chris Hawes tells us, "The first page of (Big Cat Rescue's) website mentions how it provides a home to "abused" and "abandoned" cats. However, former volunteers say many of the cats living there weren't in need of being rescued, and that they were bought from breeders to be bred".

"(Baskin) wanted to one day have the largest private collection of exotic cats in the world," said Debra Sandlin, who volunteered at the facility from 1997-2001".

The former volunteers pointed to examples of cats listed on the website as, "born into the pet trade". "The majority of the animals that are listed on the web site where it says born into the pet trade were actually born there (at Big Cat Rescue)," said Sandlin.

Some animals the web site tells us, "came as a result of the pet trade", as in the case of Fluffy the serval. Hawes called Fluffy's seller, Sandra Flaherty, on camera. Sandra said Fluffy "was sold (to Baskin) as a pet and possible breeder". Baskin's explanation for this lie was that she was the pet trade back then and that she has nothing to hide. If she has nothing to hide, why then would she not just say that she bought Fluffy as a pet and possible breeder? Baskin claims her 'sanctuary' is dedicated solely to abused and abandoned cats. Are cats bought as pets or breeders "abused and abandoned"? Why mislead her supporters? Why make people think "the pet trade" was responsible for her actions?  We discovered that Baskin also bought Fluffy's litter mates in the same transaction, also for $1000 each (see Subject 15). Where are these cats today? Was one or both of them sold? Were they "abandoned or abused"?

It's pretty obvious that Baskin wants to blame "the pet trade" for the collection of cats that she herself bought and bred but is it ethical or honorable to blame "the pet trade" for a cat you paid a $1,000 for, with the intention of breeding her? Baskin claims that she has always been upfront about the cats she bought and bred. If that is true, why not tell the truth; that all of the 144 cats she began her 'sanctuary' with were actually bought or bred there? Bought from fur farms and auctions, not to "rescue" them, but as pets and breeders., or to be resold. Should donors not have an opportunity to decide for themselves if they want to feed and support Baskin's former pets and breeders? Her personal collection of cats?

Another serval cat is described on the web site as coming to Big Cat Rescue after "a pet shop owner was afraid she would bite children who taunted her". Hawes called this former owner on camera also. "Not a word of it is true," said the cat's former owner. She said Baskin bought the cat for $1,000. This cat, Nairobi, was used as a breeder and is the mother of Kongo and Tonga, two male white servals born at BCR in 1997. Why the lie? Why mislead donors into thinking this cat was rescued from taunting children? Why doesn't Baskin just tell you that she bought Nairobi to breed her? We also spoke with the Frt Myers owner of this pet shop who told us that she never did business with Don Lewis, only with Carole Lewis (Baskin), that this was not their only transaction, and that Carole was always looking to buy or trade cats for breeding. 

One of the most convincing pieces of evidence for many of Baskin's critics is a video of the tiger cub Shere Khan. BCR's web site says he was "unwanted, uncared for, and could not walk." However, a home video narrated by Carole Baskin shortly after the tiger cub was bought for $800 tells a different story. "This is Shere Khan. He was bottled raised in a a loving and nurturing home." Why the lie?

Baskin stood by her story of Shere Khan's abuse despite video showing him standing on his hind legs and frolicking in a tub of water. "He could lift himself, but just barely," Baskin said. Anyone watching the video (below) that Baskin narrated, advertised, and sold in the Animal Finder's Guide can plainly see that the cub was perfectly normal, but normal tigers do not tug at people's heart and purse strings. Invented storied of neglect and abuse do. Baskin now says Shere Khan's romp in the tub of water was "therapy for his atrophied legs." How could he stand, jump, and frolic in the water shortly after he arrived when she claims he could not walk? Why the lies?

Baskin has always blamed the breeding of the cats on her missing millionaire husband, Don Lewis. One statement on her web site claims no exotic cats have been bred there since Don went missing in 1997. Volunteers who worked there however, say that is simply not true.

When confronted with a newsletter announcing the imminent birth of caracal kittens, Baskin said, "You got me on that. I just, I don't know. It's not on my list of cats that we currently have." Why didn't Baskin know about these kittens, who's "imminent birth" she advertised in her newsletter? Why aren't they on her list? Could it be because they were sold as pets.....along with Baskin's book, Exotic Cats As Housepets"?

The 1998 newsletter shown to Baskin states that, "(Crackle) is pregnant right now and is due any day. We are all very excited about our soon to come additions and can hardly wait." Yet in Baskin's web site rebuttal she says, "we thought that one of the caracals was pregnant, but we must have been wrong because there were no kittens after that time (1997)".

So are we to believe that Carole Baskin, the expert on breeding exotic cats as housepets, was mistaken that one of her caracals was due any day? Why would she say she was excited about the imminent birth, and could "hardly wait" if she was no longer breeding kittens? Why the lies?

In other newsletters...all dated after Don disappeared in 1997...we're told, "New life has been brought to (Big Cat Rescue)! Enya, a female cougar was born to Glory and Cocoa". This newsletter goes on to tell how Enya is being raised as a pet and "loves to play with Elijah, a male caracal who lives in the house". Enya and her littermate Fleetwood were declawed to be used as a "cabin cubs"at Baskin's bed and breakfast. For more on the cabin cubs, see the video at the link at the bottom of this page.

There were also lemurs and binturongs born after 1997 and in 1998 Baskin purchased rare male and female Fishing Cats, Pisces and Aquarius, as well as a mated pair of Geoffrey Cats, Marco and Saratoga, from a Miami animal broker.  Baskin also blamed buying cats to breed on husband Don Lewis, but these cats were bought after Don was disappeared. Also born after Don's disappearance (by Baskin's own admission) were serval and hybrid bobcat kittens.

A 2000 news later states, "We celebrated the births of the very rare and endangered leopard cat. It also mentions Baskin being "honoured to have been loaned five Sand Cats" and states her desire to "participate more fully in exotic cat propagation (breeding)". We're told that the Fishing Cats also gave birth this year but that the kittens were hidden from all but a few trusted staff and the volunteers lied to.

As late as 2001 Baskin's newsletter says, "We reveled in the birth of Missy E, the Amur Leopard Cat as the only one of her kind to be born in this hemisphere last year". Reveling in the birth of a kitten doomed to spend the rest of it's life on exhibit in a roadside tourist attraction billed as a rescue. This cat was not abused or abandoned. She was not an accident. Missy was bred to add to Baskin's collection.

Why the lies?

Why does Baskin continue to blame all the buying and breeding on a dead man? Why does she continue to claim that the only cats born after Don disappeared were "accidents"? Do you "celebrate, revel in, get excited about, and can hardly wait for" the births of accidents? Caracals, cougars, amur leopard cats, fishing cats, servals, bobcats, lemurs and 3 binturongs,....all accidents? After telling Chris Hawes there had been no breeding since Don disappeared in 1997, Baskin in 2011 finally admitted in a phone call to reporter Mike Deeson that there had been no breeding in 10 years, or since 2001, just as we have always reported. Why the lies?

Baskin's response to this expose' was predictable. She hurriedly changed all the biographies of the cats again. Instead of "born into the pet trade" they now "arrived at Big Cat Rescue"or some similar terminology. Why, if she was not trying to deceive the public, would Baskin quickly cover her tracks? Look for the cat's biographies to change once again now that the truth has been posted here.


Next Baskin posted a rebuttal on her website claiming that she was "wrongly accused on nothing more than gossip and slander" by Chris Hawes. Yet hundreds of pages of evidence had to pass the scrutiny of Bay News 9 attorneys before Hawes was permitted to air the facts. Had the report been false, millionaire Carole Lewis Baskin would have sued Chris Hawes and Bay News 9 to clear her name. She did not.View the Bay News 9 expose' below. Baskin was caught in her own lies. Was this gossip and slander as Baskin claims?

Finally, Baskin posted her "Evolution of Thought" which has under gone a few evolutions of it's own, as it is now called "History and Evolution". Although Baskin claims she has always been up front about the origins of her cats and the extent of her breeding, Baskin only posted her "confession" after the Bay News 9 expose'. With this new admission tucked deep inside her vast website, Baskin and her husband continued to lie to the public that in the early years "a few" cats were purchased and there was "limited" breeding. The majority of the cats were bought or bred there. Why the lies? Hear it from Howard Baskin's mouth in this fundraising magazine interview.

http://www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com/article/5-minute-interview-howard-baskin-chairman-big-cat-rescue-94548/1# 


Read all 36 reports compiled on this blog to learn the extent of the prolific buying, selling, trading and breeding, especially Subjects #15, 17, and #2 under the month of June.

Shortly after the expose' was aired, Chris Hawes was offered what she described as a "dream job" by a TV station in Texas, due in part to her excellent investigative report on Carole Lewis Baskin and Big Cat Rescue. Baskin then attempted to make it look as if Hawes was dismissed due to her "false accusations".

Chris Hawes did a great job. However, Bay News 9 is only a local cable news show. These lies, the deceit, and the fraud, need to be exposed at a national level. Many small, legitimate sanctuaries are suffering while Carole Lewis Baskin continues to run her tour business disguised as a sanctuary (26,000 visitors in 2006), hog the spotlight with her lies about her beginnings and her "rescued" cats, and slander all those who would compete for donations. It's time the whole truth about Carole Lewis Baskin and Big Cat Rescue is known.



View the Bay News 9 video here, and thank you Chris Hawes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U9lwrzk13c


Watch Enya the cougar cub and her littermate on this segment of Dateline TV:


http://vimeo.com/27376976


Enya was bred as a "Cabin Cub" for Baskin's bread & breakfast business; a business she ran while claiming to be a rescue/sanctuary. All her cabin cubs were declawed for this purpose. Note that they describe the 148 cats as her growing collection of 17 different species. There was no claim that Baskin's collection of cats were "rescues", and the ones who haven't died are still there today, assigned horror stories of abuse and abandonment or labeled "victims of the pet trade".  Pay attention to the end of the program where Stone Phillips talks about Baskin's numerous USDA violations of the Animal Welfare Act, which Baskin predictably denies. (See Subjects # 18 and # 8)


Read this 2007 newspaper article to learn more about Carole Lewis Baskin and Big Cat Rescue


http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/11/Hillsborough/The_big_cat_fight.shtml


Although Baskin insists BCR began as a rescue in 1992, view the 1995 articles of incorporation showing her real mission was breeding and socialization.  You do not rescue cats to breed them.


http://www.rexano.org/BCR/WOES_AOI.pdf


See what Carole Lewis Baskin is REALLY about here: Getting Rich!


http://www.veoh.com/watch/v525302hFqakkHb/secretlawattraction

UPDATE: 9-28-2011  WTSP Investigative Report 

In 2006 Carole Lewis Baskin told Bay News 9 investigative reporter Chris Hawes  that all the breeding stopped when husband Don Lewis disappeared in 1997, Baskin now, five years later, admitted to WTSP investigative reporter Mike Deeson that there have been no cats bought or bred in 10 years, or since 2001, as we have reported all along.


Since true sanctuary/rescues do not buy or breed cats Carole cannot truthfully say that Big Cat Rescue began in 1992/93 with 56 bobcat kittens she claims she 'rescued' from a fur farm; kittens which were  bought, bred and sold. (Subjects #17 & #15 under June) It is also a lie to claim that she is dedicated exclusively to abandoned and abused cats when she started with 144 of her own collection, many of which still reside at BCR. 


Although Baskin refused to be interviewed on camera for the WTSP report, before the report even aired Baskin posted a rebuttal, accusing "animal abusers" of spreading lies about her. Who is telling the lies? Baskin had literally thousands of her duped supporters writing to Mr Deeson and the producers of the show with complaints; again, before the news report even aired! 


It is the lies, deceit, and fraud perpetrated by Carole Lewis Baskin that continue to fuel the fires of the animal rights activists. Groups like HSUS and PeTA will continue to look the other way as long as they accept Baskin's large donations of money. Carole Lewis Baskin and Big Cat Rescue are nationally known, and should also be nationally exposed. Will you help us? Please post the link to this website to every facebook page, net working and news media site you can find, and hope along with us that someone, somewhere, will listen.

Watch The Mike Deeson WTSP Report Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqOxnXJGqC0


If that link goes down, here's another, shorter version:

http://westchase.wtsp.com/news/news/82855-10-news-investigators-raise-questions-about-big-cat-rescue 

See the Better Business Bureau report Mike Deeson refers to here:

http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/big-cat-rescue-corp-in-tampa-fl-337

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comment

Despite written BBB Wise Giving Alliance requests in the past year, this organization has declined to be evaluated in relation to the Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. While participation in the Alliance’s charity review efforts is voluntary, the Alliance believes that failure to participate may demonstrate a lack of commitment to transparency. Without the requested information, the Alliance cannot determine if this charity adheres to the Standards for Charity Accountability. A charity's willing disclosure of information beyond that typically included in its financial statements and government filings is, in the Alliance's view, an expression of openness that strengthens public trust in the charitable sector.  ................................................................................................. Another story by a BCR visitor who did her research http://melissaasmith.hubpages.com/hub/thebigcatrescue

In commenting on the WTSP Channel 10 report, Lynn Culver, Executive Director of the Feline Conservation Federation says:

 "Carole lies to the donating public about the histories of her cats, accepts their generous donations, and uses the money not for animal care, but instead, spends it on exorbitant public relations campaigns, and legislative agendas that ingratiate Carole with the rich and powerful animal rights organizations. Carole is lying to her donor base, and she is taking money away from real sanctuaries, and the cats that really need public support."

We ask many questions on this blog because we want you to do the research, ask to see the proof, and answer these questions for yourself. Carole Lewis Baskin is fond of saying that her critics are "animal abusers" who object to legislation that she proposes to ban ownership of exotic cats.....for everyone but herself. However this is not true. Many of her critics do not even own exotic cats and none of our contributors breed or exhibit tiger cubs as Baskin would have you believe. They are former staff members who worked for this woman for years and left BCR disgusted with her motives and her unethical business practices. With them came copies of many documents, removed from Baskin's office which prove our claims, many in Baskin's on hand writing.  

Even those who do not approve of the private ownership of exotic animals should likewise not approve of deceiving the public for the purpose of collecting millions in donations, or of blaming "the pet trade" for problems that Carole Lewis Baskin herself created. To support Carole Lewis Baskin's Big Cat Rescue is to support lies, deceit, and fraud. Baskin had an $882,355 dollar excess (profit) last year and is still begging for money to feed her cats while smaller, honest sanctuaries are doing without. There are many honest, responsible people caring for exotic cats that are much more deserving of your support.

Thank You Mike Deeson and WTSP.  Now let's get this story national.

If you know an investigative reporter with a national news agency who is not intimidated by Baskin's wealth, power, purported criminal history, or political, animal rights and law enforcement connections, please leave a message under "comments". Baskin can't possibly have them all in her pocket... and all we need is one.

There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the body of Carole Lewis Baskin's missing millionaire 2nd husband Don Lewis.

Subject 35: Carole Lewis Baskin's Snow Leopards

Subject: The Snow Leopards of Big Cat Rescue & Their Changing Biographies
Sources: Wildlife on Easy Street's Safari Guide & Big Cat Rescue's (ever changing) Website

Carole Lewis Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue changes the biographies of her exotic cats as she 'evolves' and as the true stories emerge. Let's look at the bios on the snow leopards printed in Baskin's Wildlife on Easy Street's Safari Guide. As most of you know, Wildlife on Easy Street is the former name of Big Cat Rescue.


"You can adopt-A-Cat from this page and help feed and care for the animals you love. Hercules Born 6/2/97 was a birthday gift from Don to Carole on 6/6/97, along with his mates, Chloe and Zoe". 


Don payed $5000 for Hercules and $6000 each for the females. Why would Carole Lewis Baskin think someone would want to "adopt", feed, and care for one of her  private collection of exotic cats, bought at only 4 days old, declawed, and raised in her house as a pet? 


They didn't, so Baskin changed the story. A later biography on the Big Cat Rescue website tells us that, "Snow Leopards are extremely endangered. It's estimated there are only 4,000---7,000 left in the wild. In spite of their threatened status, an individual was able to purchase Chloe as a birthday gift for his wife. Chloe is just one example of the illegal trade in exotic animals; a practice so rampant some experts say it rivals the illegal drug trade."


Ah, that should do it! Now some unnamed person was the miserable s.o.b who was involved with the illegal pet trade. That should get those donated dollars flowing! Why did the story change from Baskin's millionaire husband Don Lewis buying the snow leopards as gifts for her birthday to "an individual" being able to purchase this threatened species, thus contributing to the rampant illegal trade in exotics? Who made this illegal purchase of a threatened species? Is Baskin herself not the "illegal trade" here? 


See Baskin's story that an "individual" was able to buy the snows as a gift here.


http://www.rexano.org/BCR/BCR_Leopard_stories.pdf

A later version of the website tells us, "Our snow leopards were surplus from the Species Survival Plan...." Three different versions of the story of Baskin's personal snow leopard pets. NOWHERE does Carole Lewis Baskin tell you that her husband bought 3 snow leopards for $17,000 and then asked for your donations to support them.....AND help to build them a cage!


We contacted the seller of these snow leopards and asked for a statement.


"Yes, Carole and Don bought a pair of snow leopards from us and a pair of spotted leopards (one black). The animals were not rejects or in anyway what so ever going to end up at an auction....I have never been to an auction.


Furthermore I'll have to look it up but I do believe Carole Lewis signed all the paper work for the snow leopards. Don picked up the other spotted leopards himself and never showed any signs of a mental disorder to me and shortly after that he disappeared. 


When I read Carole's web page the word HYPOCRITE comes to mind over and over again". 


Sincerely, 
Mark 


McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary.....and that's the TRUTH



View the actual sales receipts for the 3 snow leopards plus two spotted leopards all bought from Mark McCarthy here: 

http://www.rexano.org/BCR/BCR_Snow_Leopards_Truth.pdf

The snow leopards are among the approximately 129 cats that have died at BCR, some of old age or cancer and others of parvo, distemper, or "unknown" illnesses.

Subject 34: Jumanji is Adopted

Subject:  Jumanji & The Changing Biographies of The Cats of Big Cat Rescue

Sources: WOES Safari Guide, BCR Website, Internet posts on Panther International LLC

Carole Lewis Baskin changes the online biographies of the cats at Big Cat Rescue in order to deceive the public into supporting or "adopting" cats that were bought, bred or born at Big Cat Rescue. The true stories of these cats are often omitted or altered to make it appear that these cats were actually "rescued" by Carole Lewis Baskin . One prime example is the story of Jumanji the black leopard.


Jumanji was born on 2-23-96 at BCR of cats bought for breeding. At less than a month old he and his brother Majik were advertised in the Animal Finder's Guide. (Subject # 2 Ad # 26) It seems that Baskin wanted to trade at least one of her newborn cubs for an unrelated female of the same age. This could only have been for breeding purposes. 


His early biography in the Wildlife on Easy Street's Safari Guide reads, "Jumanji was born at Easy Street, along with his brother Black Majik, to parents Saber and Lola. He was adopted and bottle-raised by Jamie Veronica, Carole Lewis' daughter. He is leash-trained and loves to go out and meet the public."


When Jumanji's biography next appears on the Big Cat Rescue website, he was no longer born at Wildlife on Easy Street. Now Jumanji was "born into the pet trade" before being adopted by Carole's daughter.


His biography has changed again and he is no longer "born into the pet trade'. Why did this cat's biography change? The only logical explanation is to hide the fact that Jumanji was born and raised at BCR and to encourage the public perception that Jumanji is a rescue so that someone might adopt and support him.


In fact, that's exactly what happened In 2009. Jumanji the black leopard was "adopted" by Panther International LLC, a Clearwater, Florida software firm, for the sum of $20,000. CEO Chase Stockton presented the check to Carole Lewis Baskin himself. Mr Stockton has declined to comment so it is unknown if he was told up front that he was paying to feed Carole Lewis Baskin's daughter's personal pet and not an abused or abandoned cat.


We feel that these changing biographies show fraudulent intent to deceive the public, and that anyone paying thousands of dollars to knowingly adopt and feed one of Baskin's personal collection of exotic pets is contributing to this deception as well as encouraging people to make pets of exotic cats that they might later exploit for thousands of dollars in donations as Carole Lewis Baskin has done.


Chase Stockton has refused to comment. However, If Mr Stockton was himself deceived, then he should come forward so that other sponsors are not similarly taken advantage of.

Subject 33: Attacks at Big Cat Rescue

Subject:   Big Cat Attacks at Big Cat Rescue

Sources: St Petersburg Times, Court Documents, Releases Signed By Victims, Staff Who Lived Onsite

Carole Lewis Baskin, CEO of Tampa Florida's Big Cat Rescue, loves to report on statistics of big cat attacks. Baskin has one of the worst records of exotic cat attacks and escapes in the state of Florida, if not the country, although most were kept quiet and none are ever reported on her website where she so smugly posts accidents occurring at other facilities.

As with the buying, breeding and selling of exotic cats, Baskin likes to blame these attacks on her missing millionaire husband Don Lewis but as you can see, most of the incidents occurred after Don went missing in 1997.

Here is a partial list...the ones we've read or been told about by staff living on the property.

1995.....Timothy Evans: This North Carolina man (case # 97-08896-B) was attacked by a South American cougar named Tobi and was severely bitten on his left forearm after Baskin irresponsibly invited him to pet the cat which she claimed was "tame and friendly."

1998.....Mindy Harrel: Mindy age 46 was attacked by Baskin's daughter's pet black leopard, Jumanji who was  born at BCR.This very serious wound required 451 stitches to her right arm and removed the skin from her elbow to her wrist.

1998.....Leah Dixon:  Leah required hospital treatment after being attacked by a cougar which almost scalped her. By this time Baskin had learned to have the victims sign a release and then paid them to keep quiet. We have a copy of the release signed by Leah Dixon.


1998.....Jennifer Adair: Jennifer was bitten in the thigh by Baskin's pet snow leopard Hercules, bought for her by husband Don Lewis for her birthday. This bite went unreported.

1999.....Daniel Caprio: This live in lover of Baskin's daughter, was attacked by a brown lemur named Co Coa. The wound required stitches to repair his ripped ear. The attack was not reported and Daniel was ordered by Baskin not to talk about it.

1999 .....Jason Hasford: Jason was injured by the same brown lemur, Co Coa.The wound in his arm took 7 stitches.  He too signed a release and was told not to talk about it.

1999......Jennifer Lowry: Jennifer Lowery was bitten by an Ocelot. (Case # 3632)
It looks as though she sued and it was settled out of court.
http://www.rexano.org/BCR/ocelot_2003%20Lowry_vs_WOES.pdf

2000 or 2001  Cabin Guest: A cabin guest was bitten 3 times while interacting with a serval named Esmerelda after paying to sleep with the cat. He was made to sign a release, was compensated, and the injury was not reported. 


2001.....Carolyn Thompson: Carolyn was bitten on the hand by a cougar named Casper. The injury was treated at a hospital and there was some permanent nerve damage. Carolyn signed the release and was ordered not to talk about it.


Date Unknown..... Sometime after Don disappeared a man and his child wandered into BCR through a broken front gate and a lynx tore the child's ear.


2006..... There were emergency instructions for staff members printed on the BCR website. Under the heading for what to do if a tour group member is bitten by a cat, the last instructions say; "have person sign release form and give them compensation, to make it legal. This must be done immediately before outside influences encourage them to sue."


These are just the attacks that we know of and this report does not include the many escapes of cougars, servals, lemurs and other animals at WOES. Carole Lewis Baskin was a completely irresponsible exotic animal owner when it came to safety protocol or properly training her volunteer staff. Unable or unwilling to handle her animals responsibly, Baskin then proceeded to cease with her cabin cat idea and public contact business and instead invent stories of abuse and rescue to exhibit her private collection of cats to the public for money. Baskin now advocates for passing laws against anyone....but BCR...owning the exotic animal of their choice. 


It was after these many attacks and  escapes that Baskin  decided it was time to change the name of her self-proclaimed sanctuary from Wildlife on Easy Street to Big Cat Rescue. She then decreed that no one should be permitted to own or have physical contact with an exotic cat. 

Subject 32: The Chicken Massacre of 99'

Subject: The Chicken Massacre of 99'
Source:  Emails from Baskin to her staff, Statements from staff who were there.

Carole Lewis Baskin's heartless cruelty to animals is not limited to the killing of innocent domestic rabbits to be bled for making frozen bunny-blood popsicle treats for her cats. It is not limited to feeding live, friendly domestic rabbits to her wildcats to be ripped apart and devoured while her desensitized staff look on. (see Subject # 23) Before the bloodsicle treats, before the chicksicle treats, before the live rats and trusting domestic rabbits being thrown to the wildcats...there was the chicken massacre of 1999. The staff tells the story this way.


Baskin was tired of the roosters making a mess around what is now Big Cat Rescue  and claimed that her cabin guests complained of their crowing, so she ordered the staff to throw the chickens alive into the pens with the wildcats (much as she now does the live rabbits).


The cats, many of them declawed by Carole and raised as her pets and most having no experience at killing and eating live animals, just bit and chewed on the chickens and batted them around until they finally died a torturous death after suffering for hours. The staff complained that the hapless chickens screamed all night, and that this was animal cruelty. In answer to their complaints, Carole sent them an email, excerpts of which are printed below.

"Everyone knew for months that I wanted to get rid of the chickens, but no one came forward with a solution. Everyone who lives here knows what a nuisance they are and the cabin guest, who are our biggest source of outside income, complain about all the crowing, but still no one could come up with an idea."

Baskin was concerned not about the chickens, but about her "biggest source of outside income". In this one paragraph Baskin first states, "the cats are natural hunters" and then later says "the cats aren't well versed in hunting." Baskin typically contradicts herself or changes her story to match the circumstances. Baskin then admits that she gave the order.

"At any rate, it was my decision to feed the roosters to the cats."

"If any of these bleeding hearts wants to take the birds and give them a home...." Bleeding hearts? People concerned about animal suffering are bleeding hearts?

"As for Daniel he was a nervous wreck when the first bird was fed and didn't sleep all night, but he continued to do as I asked him." Baskin manipulated this loyal young man, her daughter's live-in lover, to do her will.

"Daniel is fiercely loyal and that is why he has the position here that he does."

"As for (name omitted) ...he feels that (name omitted) uses the lure of the cats at Easy Street (now Big Cat Rescue) to get young girls to pose nude for him. He fears that will bring shame on Easy Street if not get us all busted for child pornography."

We don't know what nude photos of young girls or child pornography has to do with Baskin's order to throw live chickens to the cats, but it would appear from the lengthy email that Baskin wants another person associated with her "sanctuary" to look worse than she does so that her chicken massacre will pale by comparison.

"I had wanted to catch all the males and feed them all the same day, but it was suggested that some of the volunteers would go back stabbing me all over the place if I did. I figured if I did it gradually, then no one would use it as a platform. I was wrong. If people are coming to you and trying to make an issue out of this, what is their motive? It is not their concern for Easy Street, because anyone who could have witnessed this knew the chickens were a serious problem". 


No Carole Lewis Baskin, it was not their concern for your phony sanctuary on Easy Street. It was not their concern for your commercial enterprise of renting out exotic cats to share the beds of cabin guests unsupervised. It was their concern for the suffering of the chickens that you had no feeling or compassion for. Did some of your volunteers not quit in disgust after this incident?


"If you have a better plan for the chickens I am all ears."

In response to Baskin's email, one staff member responded, "Carole, I have endured enough!!!! Because of your comments about how (name omitted) felt about me, I will not sit by and let my personal life be slandered by you or anyone else!!!! " And I would say a chicken screaming for over an hour would constitute animal abuse. I formally resign from the volunteer committee and the board of directors,....."

Baskin then apologizes to this board member saying, "I was wrong in making the assumption rather than talking to you directly. To take it further and blast you for the reputation you have, deserved or not, was to attempt to point out that we all have our dark side (whether real or perceived) and none of us should be talking about others."

Carole Lewis Baskin is well known for blasting other's reputations. Competitors who dare to complain about her or disagree with anything she says or does, usually wind up on her animal abuse website. Baskin has also repeatedly shown her dark and murderous side throughout the years. It would seem that no life, animal or human, is sacred to Baskin. 


Many people are now talking about the cruel and senseless killing of trusting domestic rabbits at Big Cat Rescue, the massacre of the chickens of Wildlife on Easy Street, and Baskin's missing (and many believe murdered) millionaire second husband, Don Lewis.

There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the body of Don Lewis.

Subject 31: What Constitutes Fraud?

Subject:   The Lies, Deceit & Fraud Behind Big Cat Rescue

Sources:  Animal Finder's Guide, WOES Safari Guide, 1995 Articles of Incorporation, USDA Acquisition Forms, Fundraising Success magazine, BayNews9 Investigation, WTSP's Mike Deeson


What Constitutes Fraud?

1)    Carole Lewis Baskin claims to have become a rescue in 1992 with the purchase of her first bobcat kitten, Windsong, from an auction. Windsong was then used as a breeder and her kittens advertised for sale through the Animal Finder's Guide. (Subject 2, Ad 33) Baskin actually incorporated as a breeder in 1995 and bred and sold exotic cats for 8 years. Unless you believe that cats you buy and breed are 'rescues' then you must agree that this is a lie, that Windsong was not a rescue, that Big Cat Rescue was not a rescue, and that Carole Lewis Baskin is deceiving the public for the purpose of donations. This is fraud.


2)      Carole Lewis Baskin claims she became a sanctuary in 1993 with the 'rescue' of 56 bobcats kittens from a fur farm. These kittens were purchased, many were sold at a profit, and others were bred and their kittens sold through the Animal Finder's Guide. (Subject 2) Unless you believe that you 'rescue' bobcat kittens to sell or to breed them and sell their kittens, then you must agree that this is a lie, that these kittens were not rescues, that Big Cat Rescue was not a sanctuary, and that Carole Lewis Baskin is deceiving the public for the purpose of donations. You can not ethically claim to be a rescue or a sanctuary in 1992/1993 and incorporate as a breeder in 1995.


  http://www.rexano.org/BCR/WOES_AOI.pdf  This is fraud.

3)    Carole Lewis Baskin admits in her Wildlife on Easy Street Safari Guide that all but a few of the original 144 cats were purchased, yet she claims that Big Cat Rescue is dedicated soley to abused and abandoned cats. Unless you believe that buying (or breeding) 144 cats is 'rescue' or that her  former pets and breeders, most purchased as kittens, were abused or abandoned by her, then you must agree that these statements are lies and Carole Lewis Baskin is deceiving the public for the purpose of donations. This is fraud.

4)      Carole's 3rd husband Howard Baskin is quoted in a fund-raising magazine as saying that, “A few cats of other species were purchased in those early days, and there was a limited amount of breeding.”   In Carole's WOES Safari Guide she admits that she had to buy "all but a few" of 144 cats she began her "sanctuary" with. Upon examining the USDA acquisition forms and The Wildlife On Easy Street Safari Guide we uncovered 170 cats bought, sold, bred, traded, declawed, and exploited (Subject 15), and we haven't finished counting. Unless you believe that these numbers constitute "a few cats bought and limited breeding" then you must agree that this statement is a lie and the Baskins are deceiving the public for the purpose of donations. This is fraud.

 http://www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com/article/5-minute-interview-howard-baskin-chairman-big-cat-rescue-94548/1# 

5)      Carole Lewis Baskin has always blamed all the buying and breeding of the cats on missing millionaire 2nd husband Don Lewis and claims that all buying and breeding stopped when he was 'disappeared' in 1997. When proof was produced of cats bought, bred, declawed or pimped out to cabin guests as late as 2001, Carole subsequently admitted in a phone call to WTSP Investigative reporter Mike Deeson (2011) that no cats had been bought or born at BCR for 10 years....2001 not 1997, just as we have reported.  Unless you believe that a dead man was responsible for buying and breeding cats for 4 years after disappearing  then you must agree that this a lie and Carole Lewis Baskin is deceiving the public for the purpose of donations. This is fraud. 


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U9lwrzk13c   Bay News 9


http://westchase.wtsp.com/news/news/82855-10-news-investigators-raise-questions-about-big-cat-rescue

6)      Carole Lewis Baskin has always bragged that she is the largest "accredited" sanctuary for big cats. True sanctuaries, accredited or not, do not participate in any type of commercial activity such as exhibiting (or as Baskin calls it, exploiting) their cats to the public for money. If you believe that over 26,000 visitors a year traipsing through a highly advertised tourist attraction portrayed as a big cat rescue on day tours, night tours, feed the cats tours, keepers tours, kids tours, private tours, and even weddings, parties, and other events is not commercial activity, then you are as lacking in morals, principles, and integrity as Carole Lewis Baskin.


Baskin has often been quoted as saying all of your donations go to support the cats, yet last year's Charity Navigator's financial statement shows cat care lumped in with "program expenses" making it impossible to know exactly how much was actually spent on caring for the cats. There was $136,177 spent on administrative costs ($85,310 of this in salaries to her daughter and husband), and $95,563 in fundraising costs. The excess for the year was $882,355 and she shows $4,865,981 in assets, yet she begs donations at every opportunity, claiming she needs the money to care for the cats. 


Income Statement     (FYE 12/2010)

Revenue
Primary Revenue	$1,922,256
Other Revenue	$322,142
Total Revenue	$2,244,398
Note: This organization receives $0 in government support.
Expenses
Program Expenses	$1,130,303
Administrative Expenses	$136,177
Fundraising Expenses	$95,563
Total Functional Expenses	$1,362,043
Payments to Affiliates	$0
Excess  for the year	$882,355
Net Assets	$4,865,981

 This is not about Carole Lewis Baskin's past.This is about the lies that she tells still today to deceive the donating public. That she has actually rescued some cats since being exposed does not negate the lies about the 144 she started with being rescues, does not excuse making up stories of their abuse and neglect, and does not allow her to blame "the pet trade" for her mistakes. 

 How many people would knowingly donate their money for cats that were bought, bred, declawed, and exploited as cabin cats, magazine models, and tour exhibits if they knew the truth....that these same cats are the very ones she exhibits today as abused, abandoned, and victims of the pet trade?  This fraud hurts legitimate sanctuaries and responsible private owners of exotics animals everywhere. It's time someone did something about it. 

Subject 30: Carole Lewis Baskin, Idiot or Sociopath?

Subject: Feeding Live Prey, Idiot or Sociopath?
Source:  Ask the experts

Wild Animals/Answered Question

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Subject: panther rehabilitation

Question: please send me panther rehab guidelines on feeding procedures, do these include feeding live domestic rabbits????

Answer: Dear Linda,

It is absolutely NOT necessary to rehabilitate a panther, bobcat, or any other wild cat by feeding domestic animals of any kind. Cats of all species have an incredibly strong, innate hunting drive and ability. They need practically no training to become killers.

This is one reason that feral cats are such a disaster: they learn very quickly, and without "rehab", to kill wildlife of all kinds.

So anyone who tells you it's necessary to "train" a big cat for release by offering it live, domestic prey is--quite simply--an IDIOT. And probably a little bit sociopathic, as well. Any normal person would seek alternatives to this horrific practice, and would quickly learn that it is not necessary.

Hope that helps.

Dana

Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
University of Miami Department of Biology

http://www.allexperts.com/




July 24 update:  Thanks to one of our researchers for this profile of a sociopath. If the shoe fits.........

PROFILE OF A SOCIOPATH

From the internet: Some of the common descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.

• Glibness and Superficial Charm Soft spoken, smiling and charming on the outside.
• Manipulative and Conning
  They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims. Master manipulator. Believes no one else can be right. Has publicly humiliated people she doesn't like. Bad mouths other sanctuaries and facilities housing exotic cats. Has demonstrated hostile behavior.
• Grandiose Sense of Self
  Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Doesn't walk....glides. Boasts of her IQ, and blond good looks. Cannot be wrong. Acts as though she is above all others.
  
• Pathological Lying
  Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests. Claims to possess paranormal powers. Lies and believes what she says. Lies and then lies again to cover up the first lie. Forgets her lies and denies them when confronted.
• Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
  A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way. No remorse, shame, guilt or admission of wrong doing in killing tame, domestic rabbits or throwing live rabbits, chickens, or rats into cages with her cats to be tortured and killed. No shame, guilt, or feelings for the woman who's husband she slept with for many years. Let nothing stand in the way of becoming a non-profit so that others could support her cats, not even the ex-husband who was very much against it.

• Shallow Emotions
  When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises. No compassion for living beings. Cold, vindictive, and unfeeling.
• Incapacity for Love 3 husbands. Numerous lovers. Has stated that she hates children. Throws live animals to wildcats to be killed.
  
• Need for Stimulation
  Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common. Promiscuous teenager, violent, verbal outbursts (see orders of protection)

• Callousness/Lack of Empathy
  Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. No concern for the pain or suffering of the live animals she callously throws to her cats. Contemptuous of her ex husband as well as anyone who crosses or competes with her (see abuse website). Would rather lose her Better Business Bureau accreditation than remove the names of those who complained about her to the BBB from her slanderous site.
  
• Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
  Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. Rage, domestic violence and abuse, believes she is above the law and superior to everyone else who works with exotics. No concern for the feelings or welfare of her competitors or their animals, even interfering with their fundraising efforts knowing it could be detrimental to the well being of their animals. Says she always wins, and will do so at any cost.
• Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
  Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc. Tenth grade drop out. Fifteen year old run-a-way. Some say teenage prostitute. Manipulates others for money (Ex-husband bought her many thousands of dollars worth of exotic cats before he disappeared. Lies to the public for donations for her cats). Manipulates volunteers who work for her. Cruelty to animals and abusive to husbands and lovers.
  
• Irresponsibility/Unreliability
  Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed. Slanders others who cross or complain about her. Interfere's with other's jobs and income. Blames & slanders others for doing as she does (exhibiting exotic cats to the public).
  
• Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
  Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. Some say run-a-way teenaged street walker & prostitute. Immoral behavior from a young age. Numerous husbands and lovers. Unfaithful to first husband. Carried on long term affair with a much older married man.
• Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
  Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively. Exploits volunteers instead of hiring and paying staff. Has self-serving 20 year plan to control all exotic cats. Relishes fame and fortune achieved through lies and deceit and claims to be "world's largest" or "most diverse". Exploits her cats for income.
• Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily. Changes her history, the history of Big Cat Rescue, and the biographies of her cats to cover up her deceit when the truth is revealed. Blames others (reporters, former staff) when her lies are exposed. Admits to no wrong. Invents stories to explain or cover up her behavior. Offers excuses for or denies wrong doing (claims she did not threaten to kill missing husband, he did not want a divorce, he was having mental problems, the Bay News 9 reporter did not air her complete statements, the St Pete Times reporters took things out of context, etc) Her cats were first born there, then "born into the pet trade", then "came to" or "arrived at" her so-called sanctuary. Endless changing stories and excuses while never admitting that she is untruthful, unethical, or immoral... even when confronted with the proof that she is all three.

Note: There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the body of Carole Lewis Baskin's missing millionaire second husband Don Lewis. You can remain anonymous.