The EFBC/FCC has a general manager and facilities supervisor in charge of the compound's and feline resident's upkeep. Their assistants are volunteers, who get to participate in every aspect of the cat's care. Our motto is "If you enjoy hard work for no pay, we've got a job for you!" But that's not entirely true - we (the volunteers) get paid in the form of whisker collections, occasional furry hugs, close-up photos, and tiger ruffles (their friendly noise). Where else can you find whiskers the thickness of weed-whip wire? Where else can you have your hairdo rearranged by a nuzzling bobcat? Where else can you earn the friendship of some the earth's most beautiful creatures, especially for someone with no background experience? Here at EFBC/FCC!
The day begins at 8 am, cleaning cages and checking on the cat's health. From 10 am - 4 pm, the volunteers assist visitors on the compound answering questions, and help in preparing the cat's dinner. In the afternoon, up to 150 pounds of raw meat is delivered to the cats, and dishes are washed. Don't come here expecting to play with cats - you need to be willling to work hard, and no whining about wanting to pet the pretty kitties. There's only a few cats we go in with, and you have to work your way up to that privilege. It's a busy day, but well worth the effort. If this sounds like your idea of fun, call (661) 256-3793 or come visit us at EFBC/FCC!
Other Volunteer Activities- we've had information booths at many places - Palmdale Festival, Poppy Festival, farmer's markets, the WCN Expo.
Our Volunteer of the Quarter is Misty Hailstone.
I am a recent graduate from Humboldt State University and now work as a biologist on Edwards Air Force Base. I started volunteering at EFBC on my summer vacations from college about 5 years ago and became hooked. I love working with the cats! I mean how many people can say theyÕve been snuffed at by a tiger, licked by a jaguar and have played with a baby leopard all in one day? I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this organization. The thing I like most about EFBC, however, is the feeling of hope. In a world, whose natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate and whose large carnivores (unless something drastic changes) are rapidly going to become a thing of the past, there are few instances where a person can say I not only want change but I am going to help do something about it. I might not be able to buy enough land for a bio-preserve or find a way to stop global warming but I can buy a t-shirt that supports Amur leopard conservation, spread the word about the need to preserve whatÕs left of the worldÕs amazing creatures and inspire others to become aware and involved, and I can offer some of my time to help out an organization that works to conserve exotic felines, many of which are threatened or on the brink of extinction. Aldo Leopold once wrote, ÒA thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.Ó I believe what EFBC does is right and I like knowing that I am a part of that.
See also volunteer photos at bottom of Peaches page.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
No portion of these pages (photos, backgrounds, graphics, text, etc) may be used without the permission of the author