Patrol Squadron 8 volunteer at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe | Chief Naval Aircreman (Operator) Adrian Vaughn and Naval Aircrewman (Mechanic) 2nd Class Nicolas Mascaro assigned to the Fighting Tigers of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 help build a new safety fence at the Catty Shack Ranch Wild Life Santuary. VP-8 volunteers built and repainted a fence and fertilize a lawn portion of the ranch as part of a community relations project. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Amanda Sullivan/Released)  

JACKSONVILLE, FL, UNITED STATES

03.05.2013

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Pedro Rodriguez 

Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 worked alongside tigers and other big cats during a community relations project at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, March, 5.

Started in 1982, the Catty Shack Ranch is North Florida’s longest operating sanctuary. A non-profit organization, its mission is to provide a safe, loving, forever home for endangered big cats, and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and captivity. Current residents include tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, arctic foxes, and coatimundis.

“It is so important to have volunteer groups help us at the ranch, because there is so much work to be done,” said Kim Kyle assistant director/volunteer coordinator & handler. “We are an all volunteer organization with no paid employees, so we appreciate any outside help.”

VP-8 volunteers helped build up and repaint a safety fence and laid down fertilizer at a lawn area.

“We are not professionals, but as sailors, we always find a way to get the job done when necessary,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pedro A. Rodríguez, VP-8 command photographer.

“I had a lot of fun doing the work we did, just because it is something I don’t do every day, and it made me remember some of the things I used to do before I joined the Navy 10 years ago,” said the Guánica, Puerto Rico native.

The new fence will serve as a second boundary to protect people from reaching into the cats’ cages.

“We always have several projects ongoing, from building new enclosures/habitats for new rescues, to repairing fencing, building feed platforms, den boxes, kitty cabins, painting, landscaping and fundraising, among others,” said Kyle. “This group was amazing and we so hope they can come back on a regular basis and help us. We so appreciate these members’ service to our country and our organization.”

The Jacksonville, Fla., based “Fighting Tigers” are undergoing deployment readiness workups, in preparation for their upcoming deployment.

For more news from Patrol Squadron 8, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/vp8/Pages/default.aspx or check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrol-Squadron-EIGHT-VP-8/335177721864?ref=hl

• Date Taken: 03.05.2013
• Date Posted: 03.14.2013 11:34
• Story ID: 103468
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US
• Hometown: GUANICA, PR
• Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US