Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington

Hi, my name is Audra. I'm a die-hard cat lover who lives with 3 of my own. They are literally my children, best friends, and source of purpose. When I first heard about the danger of bird flu being more dangerous for them than for me, I froze. But then, the news told me this sanctuary in Washington lost 20 big cats in a matter of weeks. One cat would not eat one day and die the next day. And then another the next day.

All of a sudden, the news had a caregiver of those cats speak, or try to. I watched her loss for words speak to a loss for reason or understanding. I tried to imagine my cats, but the same size as me or bigger, misunderstood and feeling beings that I, amongst few, have been privileged enough to earn the respect and affection of. To hold their trust, an animal with no reason to give one of us a chance. THAT bond I can only imagine. And to lose 20 of them... half the population in the sanctuary. It's not just 20 cats; it's twenty individual lives and relationships you were responsible for but could do nothing to see coming and protect.

They are STILL caring for the cats they have left who have contracted the flu and could be saved by treating it in time. I want them to know we see those people and we feel their loss with them and we want this process to have less weight of funds. Help me honor those beautiful, loving giant kitty cats and support those of ours with broken hearts and more work to do.

Thank you <3