Saving the Big Cats: The Exotic Feline Rescue Center

By Stephen D. McCloud

Book Overview

Nestled in the woods near Center Point, Indiana, The Exotic Feline Rescue Center houses more than 160 big cats--ranging from lions, tigers, leopards, and pumas, to bobcats and more obscure breeds like the caracal, serval, ocelot, and lynx. But all of the cats at EFRC have one thing in common: they are predators that have suffered abuse and escaped extermination because of EFRC's efforts. Through astonishing images and compelling text, Stephen D. McCloud tells each cat's story. Meet Sinbad, Molly, Sierra, Montana, Tika, and others. Included with the photos in this book are background stories, anecdotes, and inside information on the personalities of feline residents at EFRC. Stephen D. McCloud heard about the Center in a casual conversation with a friend, and decided to take his camera and visit. In the last three years, McCloud and his camera have spent hundreds of hours at the Center. He has taken the time to get to know each of the cats: their likes, their dislikes, their quirks, and their stories. The affection he has for them is clearly reflected in his photographs. It's an incredible collection, and choosing only 100 or so for the book proved a daunting task. A portion of the proceeds from each sale of this book will be donated to The Exotic Feline Rescue Center.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253346096
• ISBN13: 9780253346094
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 87 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Gorgeous Book

I've been getting more aware of the plight of abandoned, neglected and abused big cats in the last year. It's an issue that deserves more attention and support. McCloud's photos prove a picture is worth a thousand words over and over. These big cats, being cats, are proud, dignified and graceful even in their captive plight. And they are the lucky ones! This book is a wonderful way of getting the message out. There are more of his photos you can link to from the ERFC website: www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org too. Many of those beg for yet another book! This book will bring you the mixed feelings of awe at the cats beauty and sorrow for what we humans have done to them.

Wonderful Pictures...even better cause!

This is a wonderful overview of the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. Stephen McCloud has obviously fallen in love with the cats at the center and it shows. There are SO many animals that have fallen victim to the exotic pet trade...the Feline Rescue Center provides a safe haven for some of the lucky ones, that now call it home. This book provides an intimate look at some of the rescues living at the center and allows the reader to look at the cats on a more personal level. The exotic pet trade is a HUGE problem in our world today and only with the help of people like Mr. McCloud educating people through photographs and information on their plight, will more people get involved and raise the necessary funds to end the vicious cycle. Wild animals belong in the WILD, not behind bars or in canned hunts for trophies. The Exotic Feline Rescue Center provides as close to a natural environment that is able for these poor cats forced to live in captivity. Stephen McCloud does a wonderful job with stories backed up by fabulous pictures.

Fantastic book

The book does the Exotic Feline Rescue Center justice. Stephen has captured the animals through wonderful photography. My granddaughter loved the center and enjoys the book.

This book made me cry!

If you love big cats like I do this is the ultimate book. Filled with striking photographs and heart-wrenching-yet-uplifting stories, I was flooded with emotion as I read. Lots of emotions. This is not an easy read, especially when confronted with stories of people abusing these majectic animals or forcing them to travel en masse in the back of a Volkswagon van... but these lions, tigers, cheetahs, panthers and lynx have all been very fortunate to be part of this book. The photos are as beautiful as they are intimate and it's like the photographer has actually captured a tiny bit of each cat's personality. BUY THIS BOOK.

Saving Grace

The Exotic Feline Rescue Center is the saving grace to somewhere around 170 big cats (they have acquired more since the publishing of this book). This book could be a great teacher to the world (especially breeders and private owners) about the realities of sending these beautiful creatures out into the world as "pets". I have been to the compound in Center Point a number of times, and have taken a LOT of pictures, but the pictures in this book are the most beautiful ones I've seen. And the stories can be heartbreaking, too. The way some people have treated these creatures of God is appalling, as you will read in this book. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And that tunnel ends at Center Point, Indiana in the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. I recommend you buy this book, and have your friends buy this book. Everyone will enjoy it, and hopefully learn something from it. And a portion of the proceeds will go to the EFRC, and every little bit helps.