Click on the lion to the left to see the EARS KUDOS page!  If you want to express your appreciation to the EARS Volunteers for all they do to help the animals of EARS, then this is the page to let them know how you feel!

One of the best organizations in the country is the Boy Scouts of America! Troop 112 work their tails off at EARS making improvements while completing their scout projects!  We so appreciate the scout masters and also all the folks that provide materials for their EARS projects.  You guys are making a tremendous, positive difference!   THANK YOU!  Check out the photos below of the scouts in action!  

Sometimes we overlook the people and things we take for granted.  In this instance, I am referring to our EARS staff member, Angie Stroud, who has been absent of selfishness in caring for the animals, for the past three years.  Angie is present at EARS six days each week and she is fast becoming more of a family member than a staff member.  Angie is a "take control" kind of person, yet she is kind, gentle and soft-spoken when dealing with matters of urgency.   She is the mother of three wonderful children, yet she successfully balances her time between the children and her duties at the sanctuary.  Angie spends time nearly every day, in the habitat with our monkey, Joey, a macaque.  Joey will only accept Angie to enter his living quarters, as he and she groom each other so lovingly.   Thank you, Angie, for being here for Joey, and all the other furry residents and thank you, Angie, for being the wonderful person which you are. 

During the past seven years, Emma Oding has been one of the most loyal and trusted volunteers EARS could have ever hoped to have.  Last year, after graduating from nursing school, she moved to Oregon to be with her fiance', and to seek a nursing position there.  Well, just one month ago, and as luck would have it, Emma was offered a great position in nursing, in Gainesville.  Sooooo....she's back at the sanctuary, donating her time and talents to the animals.  Our sincere thanks to Emma for her tireless efforts, her trustworthiness, and her complete devotion to the care of the animals.

From the first moment Joe and Tammy Keen stepped onto the sanctuary grounds a few years ago, things began to change, and habitat construction projects have been completed.  Their tireless efforts have amazed us all.  Even though Tammy and Joe live in Michigan, nearly all of their holidays and long weekends have been spent at EARS, volunteering and giving of their time and energy to the big cats.

The Keens shamelessly admit to having favorites.  Since their very first habitat construction project was for two tigers, SueSue and Sultan, those have become Joe's and Tammy's favorites.  Since they joined the volunteer staff, the sanctuary has certainly grown, and Joe and Tammy are directly responsible for the construction of two of the enormous exercise yards. 

The team of dedicated volunteers is very important to the ongoing efforts of the sanctuary, and Joe and Tammy are certainly among the most loyal to have joined the team.  Their loyalty to the animals is unparalleled, and their love for the big cats is proven each time they are at EARS.