The Munchkins

(photo courtesy of Stephen D. McCloud)

 Pictures of 2012 Auction

Do you wonder why we schedule an event for what could be the worst weather of the year?  Here is the answer.  During nice weather, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center receives thousands of visitors, each paying $10 for a tour through the sanctuary.  This is an important source of revenue.  When the ice, snow and cold temperatures arrive, what happens?  Most people do not want to visit then and gate revenue plummets.

In late 2007 several of us started to think seriously about how we could keep a revenue stream coming in during the cold times.  After all, the cats continue to need the same food and care.  Our dedicated keepers are there every day of the year.  We thought a fundraiser in a nice warm place might be a good idea.  We approached Nancy Irsay with the idea and she approved our use of her Robert Irsay Pavilion.  Everything began to fall in place after that and in late January 2008 the first Saving the Big Cats Charity Auction happened.  We were amazed when 300 people walked through the door to party for the cats.

Good things have happened with the extra revenue generated by the Auction:  new habitats, extra care for the cats, and some new equipment to make the keepers’ hard jobs a little easier.

2013 will be the sixth annual event and we look forward to hosting old and new friends of EFRC.  We hope that includes you!