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Saving Baby Girl
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1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. (CDC, 2010)
Abusers of animals are five times as likely to harm humans. Nearly half of the victims who stay in violent households do so because they are afraid for their animals. Countless more never leave the home for this very reason.(aldf.org)
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Louisiana Bobcat Refuge is here today because of Baby Girl, and a girl who loved her. LBR was born out of love from a promise made to Baby Girl to be a voice for others like her, wildcats suffering as exotic pets or being euthanized through no fault of their own. LBR represents more than a voice for bobcats and other exotic felids. We desire to be a resource for those who no longer feel that anyone can hear their muffled screams, see their hidden bruises or understand the painful burden of their psychological guilt and fear. LBR is here if you feel worthless, used and afraid. You are a valuable treasure, along with your child and pet. If you must leave with nothing other than your lives and start over, you can. You are so much stronger than your fear. No one can do it for you. YOU must rescue yourself, but once you've made up your mind, NEVER, EVER look back.
LINKS we provide here can help you. Our page will show up as the LBR refuge page, but once you click a link below your abuser may be able to see your history. Without having to click a link and put you at risk we've included a toll free number for you to call for advice and help. Please don't say or do anything that could put you in any danger, until you've spoken to someone at the hotline below to know how to proceed with caution. Your safety and that of your children and pets is vital. Big purrs and love for the peaceful life of happiness you are deserving of.
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1-800-799-7233 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
https://postmalesyndrome.com/gaslighting-in-relationships-7-signs-how-to-put-out-the-flame/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
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https://www.icouldhavebeen.org/
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https://www.whiteribbon.ca/who-we-are/?v=7516fd43adaa
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Since Louisiana Bobcat Refuge's inception in 2010 our mission has been to foster an understanding of the species through education for communities to value, admire and understand the need for peaceful coexistence with this beautiful and mysterious, but oftentimes misunderstood apex predator that is an integral part of our natural heritage. In addition, we are honored to be one of the few permitted facilities in the nation that provide long term lynx rufus rehabilitation, as we specialize in successful singlet reintroduction to the wild.
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Members of the IWRC, NWRA, LAWRA , WFA, Wild Turkey Federation, Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited
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*LBR Board of Directors available at the Louisiana Secretary of State's Corporate Division
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Pamela Kay Connery-Bischoff, LBR's Volunteer Executive Director graduated with honors from Louisiana College with a Master's in Teaching. After ten years as an experienced classroom educator, freelance television host and commercial spokesperson across the southeastern United States, she opened the Louisiana Bobcat Refuge. Pamela is one of less than 20 specialized species specific bobcat rehabilitators in the United States recognized by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and has more than ten years of daily experience living a lifestyle that affords her likely the only opportunity of its kind in the world. She is able to maintain a level of acceptance and safety to be in and around indigenous and exotic felids focusing on lynx rufus behaviour, while not jeopardizing their ability to be released as wildcats with fully intact predation skills and fear of man. It's a highly specialized program that's been formulated over the past ten years with permitting by LDWF and advisement from the veterinarians who've been selected to collaborate with the Louisiana Bobcat Refuge. LBR is glad to offer pro bono help to other facilities in need of bobcat assistance, and is working on a book and video series, because there is so much misinformation on the internet that is incorrect, outdated or just guesstimates. Connery specializes in Stress Free Rehabilitation and holds silver certification in Low Stress Handling. She is permitted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a bobcat rehabilitator and NWCO bobcat live trapper. She holds an International Wildlife Rehabilitation Certification specializing in lynx rufus rehabilitation, while offering assistance to rehabilitators nationwide, and as far away as Nova Scotia for help in establishing governmental guidelines for bobcat rehabilitation. LBR is currently in development of a gps pilot tracking and game cam study with collaboration from Louisiana universities to contribute to ongoing research regarding long term threats to bobcat populations.
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Volunteer Executive Director, Behaviourist and Rehabilitator, Pamela Kay Connery-Bischoff:
Losing a bobcat can be really hard. It's incredibly hard trying to rehab: emotionally, physically, financially. Be prepared to give it everything you have, and make sacrifices. It will break you. It will change you. It will make you see things differently, change your perceptions, priorities in life, and change your heart for the better.
It's not playing with kittens. Most times when we receive a call, it's because a bob has been hit by a car or someone has intentionally injured one or someone either had a kitten as a pet from the wild or was trying to rescue one without proper education or permits. By the time we get the call, we have a bobcat or bob kitten in distress or at death's door. We do everything we can to save lives, but sometimes that isn't enough. I won't lie. It hurts. Some hurt your heart terribly. Most you will never ever forget. I was especially broken over one loss. I remember feeling that I wasn't good enough or perhaps I'd done the cat an injustice, somehow. Dr. Pirie, DVM, ( LBR's original sponsor veterinarian of the BREC ZOO) said kindly to me,"If you only saved one, it was enough." I've tried to remind myself of his words of comfort, and repeat them to other rehabilitators who feel the hurt and discouragement. Dr. Pirie's words ring true, not only with animals, but with people. That's why my story is here. You might be that one person. You are worth it.
I was a bit of a workaholic. Then began the refuge in 2010 as my way to give back after surviving a domestic violence relationship that nearly cost me my life several times; but most notably on a MS hwy when I was trying to throw myself from a car from my abuser. The risks of falling into a median or the road seemed safer than staying in the car. He'd taken my cell and purse and kept pulling the door closed as I'd try to open it, I began throwing whatever was in the glove box out of my window hoping to attract attention of passerbys.
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Finally, several state police pulled the car over, because a passerby had called 911. He was immediately arrested and I was brought to a hotel for safekeeping until family could arrive. He held me hostage for a good year. Controlled who I spoke to, my internet, and had the keys to my vehicle. He used our pets and the threat of torturing them to ensure I would never leave him. Eventually, for the love of my animals, more than myself, I finally stood up to him and said if he wanted to kill me and my animals, he'd just have to do it, we'd all be better off dead than living with him. I had to be my own voice and save myself, in the end. No one could of done it for me.
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That's why I'm so passionate about the rescues I work with. I can give them a voice. When people heard my screams or saw me beating on the windows trying to get attention from passerbys on the street, no one called for help or did anything. I've been raped, headbutted, strangled, and kept imprisoned in terror because abusers tell you that no one will believe you, that they will ruin you or kill and destroy your family, friends and pets and your reputation. I'm no longer that frightened naive girl. A year of therapy to help me understand how I could so easily become victimized and break that pattern was something I needed to discover and heal from.
I am so grateful to LDWF and Dr. Gordon Pirie, DVM who knew some of my story and a rescued lynx I'd worked with to spend time and patience teaching me to become the rehabilitator and behaviourist I am today. For anyone being subjected to verbal or physical violence or imprisonment at home. Your life is in your hands. The Faith House is in Lafayette, LA, but there are organizations all over that can help you. Don't tell anyone your plans, put your important documents aside and patiently wait for that moment you can get away..AND NEVER EVER look back. There is nothing that feels as good as freedom, and you are deserving of it. Big purrs, PK♥ 
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In Loving Memory of Baby Girl
2007-2016
