Chuck Traisi of The Fund for Animals is in great need of volunteers to assist with the maintenance and care of dozens of tigers at Tiger Rescue in Colton, CA (located approximately 100 miles north east of San Diego in Riverside County.)

Chuck, a highly respected expert in the field of wildlife rehabilitation, has temporarily taken over the care of the animals at Tiger Rescue, which had been horribly neglected. They were seriously malnourished and housed in filthy and unsafe enclosures. The horrendous conditions that Chuck first encountered are much improved since his arrival, however, there is still an enormous amount of maintenance to be done as well as daily animal care.

It is up to the kindness and generosity of volunteers to assist in the daunting task of caring for these beautiful creatures, until they are transported to appropriate, qualified facilities.

Volunteers are needed daily. It is hard work, but it is an experience you will never forget. If you are interested in helping, please bear in mind that you will get dirty. The work is often very physical and always filthy. Every effort is made to ensure safety, however, be advised you will be in very close proximity of potentially dangerous animals.

We cannot stress enough, the urgency and need for responsible, concerned volunteers. If you are unable to go to Tiger Rescue, please consider sending a donation. Chuck purchases over 500 pounds of chicken daily to feed the big cats, which doesn't even include the expense of any of the non-food supplies needed.

To volunteer, email Cindy Traisi of the Fund for Animals at ctraisi@aol.com.

Notes to New Volunteers

Plan to arrive early, around 8:30 am, and stay until after feeding time, about 4:30 pm. There are hotels nearby if you want to stay more than one day and are not local. Please note that due to the dangerous conditions, no one under the age of 18 years of age is permitted on the property.

Wear long pants and sturdy, closed-toe footwear. There are restaurants nearby, but you may wish to bring sunscreen and lunch or snacks. We do have a *small* refrigeration unit on the site and plenty of cold water for the volunteers. Some additional items you may wish to consider are:

• An epinephrine kit if you are severely allergic to bee stings
• Bug spray - the flies are plentiful and sometimes bite
• A change of clothes to change into - this is stinky business!
• Utility or gardening gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects and keep them warm on chilly days
• A sweatshirt! The temperature varies throughout the day and it can go from warm to cold very quickly

Getting There

Tiger Rescue is located at 1350 W. Agua Mansa Rd in Colton, California (in Riverside county). Click here to get a map.

Please note that if you are coming from San Diego by way of I-15 to 215 and use Mapquest to plan out the directions, Mapquest tells you to turn RIGHT onto Agua Mansa, when you actually need to turn LEFT.