Charity Bake Sale 2011 for Big Cats!

November 6, 2011

It's official, we've chosen our charity for this year's Bake Sale. Drumroll please…it's In-Sync Exotics in Wylie, Texas!

In-Sync Exotics Lioness1

In-Sync Exotics may be new to many folks.  It was to me and my fellow bakers until a year or so ago.  In-Sync is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the rescue of unwanted, neglected and abused felines.

In-Sync Exotics White Tiger

And by “felines” we aren't talking about little housecats. We mean BIG cats; much much bigger than my 16 pound Gaby whom LilSis calls the fat cat with the little head.

In-Sync Exotics Lion1

In-Sync was founded in 2000 and is currently home to 59 tigers, lions, leopards, bobcats, cougars, cheetahs, lynx, servals and one honorary cat named Nugget who is a Coatimundi.

In-Sync Exotics Serval

This is the fifth year for our Charity Bake Sale, which has been held to benefit the SPCA of Texas for the last three years.  We decided to select a smaller charity this year – a bit below the radar – who might benefit from our little fundraiser and the attention it could bring to a group in need.  We still support the SPCA of Texas personally, and continue to appreciate the crucial work they do every day in North Texas.

In-Sync Exotics Cheetah

Back to In-Sync now.  I had the chance to visit their big kitties last weekend, along with a couple of my fellow bakers.  We spent a few hours enjoying the annual Pumpkin Bash, where the cats all get a pumpkin to play with/eat/destroy/ignore.  We absolutely fell in love with the cats and the place, and the work that's being done here.

In-Sync Exotics Khan Sheila

In a perfect world, these cats would be running free in their native habitat but this world isn't perfect.  Not even close.  These guys have suffered at the hands of humans, and needed a safe place to recover from the physical and emotional damage inflicted on them.

In-Sync Exotics Tiger 2

In-Sync is that safe place.  Big wild cats can't be placed in furever homes like cats and dogs can, and they can't be released into the wild.  Big cats need a place to live out the rest of their days, where they can receive medical care, a clean environment, nourishing food, enriching playtime, and love.

In-Sync Exotics Tiger Toes 3

Since these cats will stay at In-Sync forever, and more cats continue to unfortunately come in, In-Sync's need for funding will only grow as time goes on.  They are currently trying to raise $30,000 to build a home for the two cheetahs who recently joined them.

In-Sync Exotics Tiger Paws

The four of us girls are going to bake our little hearts out to try to help in our small way.  Stay tuned for more details as we approach this year's Bake Sale on December 12th.  Meanwhile enjoy a few photos of Jett the spotted leopard enjoying the Pumpkin Bash!

In-Sync Exotics Jett 2In-Sync Exotics Jett 3In-Sync Exotics Jett 4In-Sync Exotics Jett 5In-Sync Exotics Jett 6

For the record, the final score was Jett 1, Pumpkin 0.  ^..^

Note: All photos were taken by BigSis and published with the permission of In-Sync Exotics.

~BigSis

Halloween Parade of Pets in Costume

October 31, 2010


Instead of talking about ghosts and goblins or trick-or-treating today, we decided to do something a little more fun!

Let's be honest, doesn't it make you smile when you see a cute little doggie or kitty cat dressed in a costume? 🙂

Without any further delay, let's get this parade started!

Katie in Halloween Princess Dog Costume

Nicki's Katie looking precious in her Princess outfit!

Roxy in Halloween Dog Banana Split Costume

Lisa's Roxy is adorable all dressed up as a Banana Split!

Brady Halloween Devil Cats in Hats Costumes

Kristen's Brady is a beautiful little devil! Where's Jerry, Tom??

Bru Devil Halloween Cats in Hats Costume

Bru also calls Kristen Meowmy, and is another little devil!

Beau Cats in Hats

Lauren's Beau is adorable in his Texas Rangers cap!

Beau Tiger Halloween Cats in Hats

Beau again...now he's working the Tony the Tiger look!

Ashy Halloween Pirate Cats in Hats

BigSis' Ashy as a scary one-eyed pirate! Argghh!

Ashy Halloween Cowboy Costume Cats in Hats

Ashy in his Cowboy ensemble! Git along lil' doggie!

Cats in Hats: Devil TomTom

LilSis' lil devil, TomTom

Cats in Hats: Devil TomTom

He is a pretty lil Devil, isn't he?

Gaby Halloween Pirate Costume Cats in Hats

BigSis' Gaby tries the pirate hat on for size! Love the dreadlocks, Gaby!

Gaby Halloween Pumpkin Costume Cats in Hats

Gaby also models a stylish pumpkin scrunchy collar/necklace!

Gaby Halloween Cowboy Costume Cats in Hats

Gaby makes a very handsome cowboy, don't you think?

Gaby Done Being Halloween Cowboy Cats in Hats

Gaby was apparently WAY over the cowboy look!

(Happy Halloween photo credit: Julicath Flickr Photostream)


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~LilSis

Sponsor a Bunny for Easter!

March 27, 2010

Easter Farm Animal Adoption

It's tempting to buy a cute little chick, duckling or bunny at Easter.  They grow up though, and then how do you care for them?  Little chickies are adorable, but a full-grown feisty chicken is another story!

How about sponsoring a farm animal instead of buying one that you aren't prepared to care for long-term?  Farm Sanctuary has a great farm animal adoption program that could be a perfect solution.  Do you have children who have outgrown Easter egg hunts?  Maybe you have a grandchild out of state?  Or perhaps you have a niece or nephew who loves animals?  Maybe you've decided this is the year you'll be more creative at Easter, and you just don't want to bring a bunch of candy into the house.  What a great idea to sponsor a farm animal in the name of someone special!

All you need to do is go to Farm Sanctuary's adoption page and choose a duck, bunny or chicken to sponsor for $10-$15 per month, based on a one-year sponsorship.

I'm especially partial to Buttercup!

Buttercup

and Howard!

Howard

You or your gift recipient will receive an adoption certificate with a color photograph of the adopted friend, an adoption card, an invitation to schedule a VIP tour to meet the adopted friend, and other great benefits depending on the animal. If a year is more than you want to commit to, you can also make a one-time gift that will be greatly appreciated.

So if you're looking for something different to do at Easter this year, here's a way to do that and help a great cause at the same time!

~BigSis