IDAVILLE, Ind. ? As volunteers Bonnie Salaba and Steve Cotner make their morning rounds, they talk to the big cats. "Hi, there, baby," Salaba coos. "How are you doing today?" The cougars respond with "chirps," while the tigers come up to the cage to receive a soothing scratch. A Persian lion yawns, while a lioness stretches in a show of indifference. The volunteers help at Great Cats of Indiana, which sits on five acres off East U.S. Highway 24 near this White County town. Founders Rob Craig and his wife, Laura Proper, run the sanctuary with the help of volunteers. Recently, the sanctuary produced a potential star when it donated Roscoe, a 2-year-old Bengal/Siberian tiger, to LSU. At LSU, Roscoe will be renamed Mike VI and become the school's sports mascot. At Roscoe's former Idaville home, 60 big cats and large carnivores are housed at the refuge. The collection includes African lions, cougars, a black leopard, wolves and 29 tigers. The biggest animal is a 1,000-pound tiger. Craig said many of the animals come from people who realize they can't care for them properly. The nonprofit sanctuary group depends on donations of money and food. Area farmers have been especially supportive, Craig said. The center also receives venison donations from hunters and the occasional deer killed on the road. Tours are given for an admission charge. Craig has five volunteers who help feed the animals, keep the cages clean and help maintain the grounds. He said he could use five more "consistent" volunteers. He said a volunteer grant writer also is needed to help him obtain money to support the sanctuary. "There are many improvements I want to make, but I don't have the money," he said. Craig said it costs between $1,200 to $1,500 annually to feed each animal. That's about $72,000 to $90,000 each year. "That doesn't count veterinary bills, maintenance and other costs," he said. Salaba, a resident of Buffalo, said her motivation for volunteering is simple. "These cats keep me coming back six days a week," she said. "I love knowing that I can help them. I feel like I'm making a difference." Cotner, a Logansport resident, said caring for the animals is "my escape from the world. "These animals didn't ask to be put in this situation," he said. "This is a place where they can live out their lives in comfort. "I refuse to give up on them." Link To Original Article
