Tiger-riffic Habitat Opening Saturday

This afternoon I was out at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge for my weekly volunteer work (the very unglamorous but necessary filing of paperwork) and loved seeing all the final preparations for the amazing new habitat grand opening this Saturday (21st) at 9:30 a.m.

Our local paper did an article about this event recently, so I hope the word is getting out. Unlike some other events that have been more about the cat's first time on grass, this is about the brand-new habitat that has been built on an area that used to be old concrete-floor holding cages. Those have been destroyed, and it's all grass all the time for all the animals now. The four cats who will be blessed with this new, huge enclosure full of climbers and toys are part of a new donation of cats from a Colorado facility that is closing. They have been here on grass for a while, but it doesn't compare to the new home they are looking forward to.

And don't even get me started on how cool this set of tigers is. Besides the fact that four of them can hang together and not fight, some of them are super-unique. Khalessi, Joey, Lakota, and Aurora are quite the squad.

Khalessi is a "golden tabby tiger" or "strawberry tiger." There are only around 30 tigers like her in the whole world. Her markings are a result of the same genetic mutation that results in a white tiger.

Aurora is a beautiful white tiger who is related to many of the new white tigers at the refuge.
Her parents and baby siblings are here.

Lakota is a Ti-Liger, a very rare mix. Even though he is part lion, he can still chuff.

Joey is a beautiful tiger, which is plain in this group but still magnificent. 

And look how much they love each other. Such sweet cats!!

All four photos are from the refuge's Facebook page or website.

The group of cats is also young, the equivalent of teenagers, only a year old, so they will have no hesitation attacking their new lodgings full speed. Even today, they are already in the night house adjusting to the new area--and watching closely every move that the keepers and workers make. I could just imagine them thinking that they can't wait to get their paws on all of it.

I definitely plan to be there to see them released into the new digs on Saturday, and I hope you can join us as well! If you can't make it in person, the refuge will be live streaming the event on Facebook. Follow their page to get alerts and notices about events like this.

And keep your eyes open for a big announcement about my newest book release, coming VERY soon!

Dottie was excited to check out the paperback proof of HER book.