Posted on 06/27/2009 3:58:06 PM PDT by Steelfish
I share my home with 11 cats - four cheetahs, five lions and two tigers
By AMY OLIVER 27th June 2009
Sharing a bed with your furry friend has taken on a whole new meaning for Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen.
The sanctuary worker shares her South African home with not one but FOUR orphaned cheetahs, five lions and two tigers.
Forty-six-year-old Riana said: 'I love them all. But they're a handful.'
[Pics in URL]
Two of Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen big cats fight to be top dog in her South African home
Riana bought her first cheetah, Fiela in 2006, after realising the big cats were in trouble and heading for extinction with only 1000 left in Africa.
She left her full time job working for the department of justice - a position she had held for 22 years - and found temporary employment on a game ranch where she could raise her beloved big cat.
But Riana's real dream was fully realised after she set up the not-for-profit Fiela Funds Cheetah Breeding Project in South Africa to ensure the long-term survival of the cheetah and their ecosystem.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Another article about Michael Jackson?
Taking “crazy cat lady” to new heights!
1000 is the number that motivated her to start sharing her bed with cheetahs?
Besides, I don't know what the big deal is about all these "endangered species".
If all it took was time for them to appear in the first place, maybe we just have to be patient and they'll come back around through the magic of evolution.
I'm pretty sure I saw a saber tooth tiger crossing my yard the other day.
Maybe Riana has a free corner in her bed.
I would hate to clean that litter box...
Cheetahs are probably the most mild natured of big cats, but three in one bed?
What if they decide to hold a election about what’s for dinner?
Lots of Big Kitties ping.....
She better not forget to feed all those cats some night before going to bed them.
Reminds me of the story of the woman who used to sleep with a monkey who tried to eat her friend. I guess the lawsuit is still going forward.
“I’m pretty sure I saw a saber tooth tiger crossing my yard the other day.”
I’ve got room in my house for a nice cougar...
Funny but also a good point.
I share my home with my tabby cat, miniature poodle, broad-breasted white turkey pullet and five barred rock pullets.
My broom is wearing out.
From what I remember the friend was severely damaged.
NewsFlash from South Africa:
South African police report that Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen is missing from her home. Police speculate she has not been missing long as all of her pets, who were left alone in the house, seem to be well fed.
parsy, the sarcastic
Yeah. Last I saw was that a lawsuit had been filed.
Suffice it to say she has no need for a home alarm system.
It’s all fun and games until kitty wants to play rough and someone loses a body part.
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