We research the cats at BCR 4 ways: By studying Carole's USDA acquisition forms, her early Safari Guide, her 1997 Inventory, and by talking to former staff members and volunteers. 

Despurrado is a bobcat who was born at Big Cat Rescue along with littermate Ninja. His parents are Nakita and Czar who were purchased from breeder Grady Mc Gee of Leesville, South Carolina for $750 each on 11-1-1992. This date is important because Carole has always claimed that she began rescuing cats in 1993 when she went searching for a second bobcat after purchasing Windsong at an auction and 'rescued' 56 bobcat kittens from a fur farm. Carole purchased other bobcat and Lynx from this breeder also including Little Feather for $200 who was then bred to Pretender and gave birth to 4 kittens, also in 1996. These kittens are unaccounted for and were probably sold.

Nowhere in Carole's "How We Started" or her "History and Evolution" does Carole admit that she was already buying cats for breeding in 1992, before her so-called fur farm rescue, which we know was not a rescue at all as many of the kittens were then sold or were kept as pets and breeders.

In fact, Despurrado's mother Nakita was already pregnant when she was purchased, but her 2 kittens died after the mother ran with one in her mouth until it died and trampled the other. People who know exotic cats will tell you that someone had to be chasing this mother, probably to take her kittens from her, for this to happen. Unless you believe that it is ethical to buy and breed exotic cats to sell kittens and then call them rescues for the purpose of donations, these 13  cats: Despurrado, Ninja, Nakita, Czar, Windsong, Little Feather, Pretender, and 6 kittens were not rescued.

The Evolving Stories

Wildlife On Easy Street 1997

"A Lynx Hybrid born on 4/29/96 to Czar and Nakita."

Wildlife On Easy Street 1999

"This little guy was born to Czar and Nakita and was raised in the house. He is always happy and in motion. We very rarely catch him sleeping! Like his older brother, Alexander, he has an exquisite face and very silky fur."

Big Cat Rescue (present)

"Des-PURR-ado, was a neutered hybrid bobcat who lived with his roommate Little Dove for years here at Big Cat Rescue.  Des-PURR-ado was always very outgoing towards keepers and loved the attention he received from them, especially his favorite ones.

His soft, fluffy, beautifully patterned coat served as a reminder of why these hybrids are so valued by the fur industry and why it is so important that we continue our fight to free those, like Despurrado, from the horror of fur farms. 

As if on cue, he would often come out to the educational tours and roll over on his back to show his spotted belly as the tour guides explained the reality of fur farms; i.e. the spotted belly fur is all that is used and the rest of the cat is often ground up and fed to the other captive cats there.  He did his job well, making an impression they'd never forget and inspiring so many to fight on behalf of those trapped and bred for fur.

He lived a very long, well cared for life at Big Cat Rescue and will be missed by so many keepers who grew to love him.  But none will miss him as much as Little Dove will, his lifelong companion."