Big Cats of Serenity Springs, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe, stable, permanent home for non-domestic felines, denies rumors that it may shut down because of a funding shortage.
The refuge issued a news release Thursday, June 22, denying claims that the organization, which is responsible for the protection and care of more than 105 exotic captive felines, is in danger of closing.
Without permission, and against the code of ethics that Big Cats of Serenity Springs operates under, an individual not associated with the facility leaked false information to local media outlets. This person had access to private, personal financial data and released this information to the press, along with their erroneous belief that the sanctuary was being closed, the news release reads in part.
Karen Sculac, director of the sanctuary, said she has spent the last few days assuring callers that her personal finances are totally separate from the finances of the organization that she and her husband started.
Assumptions that Big Cats of Serenity Springs was closing negatively impacted donations, which is why a public statement on the situation was released, according to the sanctuary.
Posted: June 23, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST