Benefits With Friends

Fundraiser supports bear necessities

Huggy, a Russian brown bear, rests in his enclosure last month at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. Huggy was one of the five bears rescued last year from a failing zoo in Colorado. The “Cats at the Castle” benefit Saturday will help build a habitat for Huggy and more of the 100-plus animals under the refuge’s care.
Huggy, a Russian brown bear, rests in his enclosure last month at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. Huggy was one of the five bears rescued last year from a failing zoo in Colorado. The “Cats at the Castle” benefit Saturday will help build a habitat for Huggy and more of the 100-plus animals under the refuge’s care.

Huggy, a Russian grizzly bear, Lolly and Holly and other black bears soon will have new accommodations at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge near Eureka Springs. Proceeds from the annual "Cats at the Castle" benefit Saturday will help the nonprofit organization make dedicated habitats for the baker's dozen of bears.

The nonprofit organization's mission is to "provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected big cats, with emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards and cougars," that make up 90 percent of the sanctuary's population. Lisa Brinker, communications director, said the bears and other animals at Turpentine Creek are "typically part of a cat rescue." She said the group doesn't "leave anyone behind" in a rescue situation.

Cats at the Castle

What: Heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live and silent auctions, live music

When: 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday

Where: Castle Rogue’s Manor in Beaver

Tickets: Sold out

Information: (479) 253-5841, turpentinecreek.org

The sanctuary has nearly 60 natural habitats on 450 acres for its more than 100 animal residents. The bears' new habits will be "natural and include pools," Brinker said. The project is expected to cost $150,000.

Brinker said the sanctuary added 34 new residents last September as part of the Colorado Project that involved rescuing 34 animals from a facility in Colorado that had 110 animals. The remainder went to 14 other sanctuaries around the country.

The fundraising event will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres from Chef Victor Smith of Catering Creations, a full bar, open seating indoors and outside, silent and live auctions and live music.

Turpentine Creek is open for public tours every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas day.

-- CARIN SCHOPPMEYER

[email protected]

NAN Our Town on 04/20/2017

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