Thursday, November 3, 2011

Specials Yums to Benefit In-Sync Exotics' Cats!

We are very fortunate this year because "Big Sis and Lil Sis" selected In-Sync Exotics as their fundraiser of choice for their Christmas Bake Sale!  Last year, "Big Sis and Lil Sis" raised more than $3,200 for their charity.  This year, the laidies would like to raise $4,000 for In-Sync Exotics!

Take a look at some of the goodies "Big Sis and Lil Sis" created for their 2010 charity:

Cookies and Brownies

Vegan Cranberry Orange Macadamia Biscotti

SisMama's Cream Cheese Pound Cake: DEEEElicious!

Cakes and Breads

Reindeer Bucket O' Biscotti sold out quickly!

Santa's Spiced Pecans surrounded by more goodies!

Vegan Cookies


Drooling yet? 

Corby (Big Sis) has set-up a special email account to receive your questions! 

So mark your calendars for this special bake sale and remember, all proceeds benefit the animals of In-Sync Exotics!

Thank you for support and happy holiday eating!

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Harley's Day With The Dentist

On Tuesday night, Vicky, Stacy (volunteer and former In-Sync Exotics intern), Andrea (volunteer) ,Craig (In-Sync Exotics intern)   and Harley traveled to Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicines, so Harley could be checked out by an animal dentist.

Why did Harley need to go see the dentist?  Well, several months ago, the staff noticed that Harley’s nose started to swell, indicating he may have infected teeth or gums. Harley was seen by two different veterinarians in the hopes of resolving this swelling nose condition.  Unfortunately all attempts to correct the problem failed.

So at 9:00am Wednesday morning, Harley was anesthetized and examined by the dentist.  The exam identified a problem, so Harley was kept under sedation for 4 ½ hours while he was CAT scanned and prepared for surgery. 

It took about an hour to remove all of Harley’s upper right teeth, except his canine which was cleaned and filled.  Fortunately, the canine root was not infected, so he did not undergo a canine root canal.  Before the gums were sutured up, a synthetic bone powder, which promotes bone growth, and a blood clotting powder was added to Harley’s gums.  For the next hour, the vet staff and Vicky alternated in putting pressure on Harley’s gums to stop the bleeding.

Sadly, the teeth had to be removed due to either a fungal, bacterial (or both) infection to his teeth and gums.  The vet told Vicky that several years ago, Harley’s upper back molar cracked and split causing the gum tissue to grow up and around the broken molar.  His front canine was also damaged prior to his arrival at In-Sync Exotics, which may have contributed to Harley’s current health challenges.  There is just no way to know what triggered the infection, and the vet will not know for two weeks whether or not this is a fungal infection, or a combination of fungal and bacterial. 

So, as a preventative, the vet placed Harley on medication that will fight off the fungal infection as it takes about two weeks to take effect and he was placed on an antibiotic medicine to fight the bacterial infection.   Normally, it would only take about five days for his gum tissues to heal, but since his tissues were so badly infected, the vet believes it will take twice as long for his gums to heal completely.

Harley is home now, resting, as the vet gave In-Sync Exotics’ staff strict instructions that Harley was to be kept calm and relaxed for the next 10-14 days.  That means Harley cannot eat regular food—all his meals must be puréed—it also means no bones or regular meat chunks until the vet gives the staff the “green light.”  But that’s not all.  Harley cannot play on the playground for the next two days, plus he is not allowed any enrichment or toys for the duration of his convalescence. 

Infections of this nature can be very dangerous to a big cat or even a small domestic feline.  It is not uncommon for a veterinarian to diagnosis a domestic cat with teeth and gum infections; however, to diagnosis a big cat with this type of problem, without anesthesia, is very difficult and could go undiagnosed for years.  If the staff had not noticed the swelling of the tiger’s nose, the infection could have continued to spread to Harley’s brain resulting in death.  Fortunately, Harley’s infection was discovered and treated in time.  Now we wait for the healing to begin.

Needless to say, the cost to treat this type of dental problem is very expensive.  The medicine to treat the fungal infection cost $1600 for a two week supply.  This does not include the antibiotics, exam, and surgery costs! 

We need your help to continue treating Harley and the other animals that require medical care.  Please consider making a generous end-of-year contribution so we can continue our mission of caring for big cats (and small), like Harley!  We cannot save one tiger at a time without your help!  Thank you!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Can You Help Us Win Between $25k and $250?

Have you heard?  Chase launched an innovative giving program for small and local charities. Through Chase Community Giving, participants are able to vote to determine which small and local non-profits will receive donations of more than $3 million from Chase’s philanthropy funds this fall!

The fall 2011 round of the Chase Community Giving program is designed to benefit smaller and local charities by being limited to 501c3 charities with operating budgets under $1 million (like us!). The Top 100 eligible charities with the most votes will receive between $25,000 and $250,000. More than $3 million dollars will be distributed to top vote getters. Chase is putting resources where communities throughout the United States need them most, and it is up to us to garner enough votes so that In-Sync Exotics can be one of the winning organizations.

You have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for the future of our animals. This spring’s round begins November 8 – get ready to cast your vote and spread the word about this opportunity to your friends and family and encourage them to support our cause. With a portion of Chase corporate philanthropy dollars, we will have the chance to further our mission of providing a loving home for exotic animals that most other sanctuaries are unable or unwilling to accept due to health or age-related problems--the old, the maimed, and the socially unadjusted exotic cats find solace with us!  Now we are counting on you!
It is more important than ever that we take advantage of the amazing opportunity this program presents to our organization. Log on to Chase Community Giving to cast your vote starting on November 8 and share the program with our supporters across the country. You decide what matters, and every vote counts!

So please vote, share, and encourage others to help In-Sync Exotics!  Thank you very much for your support!

Warm Regards,

Vicky Keahey
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Fond Memories That Will Last Forever!

No matter how busy we are this time of year at In-Sync Exotics, we always have time to reflect upon the exotic wild cats that are no longer with us. 

It was just a little over one year ago, Malikai, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, seven months ahead of his brother, DinariTime does heal broken hearts; replacing our loss with immense joy as we recall fond memories of these two magnificant lions.

We'd like to share with you a video of Malikai and Dinari as they demonstrate why these two loveable lions hold a special place within our hearts:



We will never forget these two lions as their crazy antics always kept us in stiches.  We are very grateful we could be a part of their lives!

So it is with fond memory we remember two former Kings of In-Sync Exotics, Malikai and Dinari! 

Long live the Kings just this side of Heaven!

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Monday, October 31, 2011

Pumpkin Giving Was A Smashing Event!

Yesterday we had a terrific showing of about 200 guests as they watched the big cats receive their pumpkin treats!  Some the cats responded excitedly to their pumpkins, while others, such as Spike who obviously never saw a pumpkin before in his life, looked at the pumpkin with some trepidation.  

We are very grateful for the donation of 80 pumpkins!!  The cats had hours of enjoyable fun with their pumpkin enrichment on Sunday. A big roar of thanks to everyone who brought a pumpkin to In-Sync Exotics; and a special roar of thanks to the United Methodist Church for providing us with a bunch of pumpkins and to Casey's Pumpkin Patch in Frisco, Texas for their donation of about 40 pumpkins!  No doubt the pumpkins will be providing the cats with lots of fun throughout the week!

There were five pumpkins entered in the pumpkin carving contest.  All contestants received an In-Sync bracelet, 3rd and 2rd place winners received a ribbon and the 1st place winner was awarded a ribbon and an In-Sync Exotic Tee-shirt!

Here are just a few pictures of the cats with their pumpkins!

Spike is not sure what to do with his pumpkin


Kshama liked chewing on her pumpkin!
 
Amol checking out his pumpkin
 
Sheila playing with her pumpkin!

Emma, Saber, and Lucca people watching

No pumpkin bash would be complete without Aramis attacking his pumpkin treat!


Isn't Aramis adorable?  Let us know what you think of playful antics!

More great pictures courtesy of Kelli:


Judge Vicky checking out the pumpkin contestants!

1st Place Winner
 
2nd Place Winner

3rd Place Winner

"Tag--You're it!"

Aasha and Smuggler

"My pumpkin!  Stay back!"


"Mine..mine..all mine!"
   
Lots and lots of pumpkins!

And more pumpkins!

Sheila looking smug with her pumpkin!


"Come here my pretty, pretty pumpkin!"


"Never letting you go!"

"Nobody better touch my pumpkin!"


"Why all the excitement?  I'm much cuter than a pumpkin!"