Joe Schreibvogel is just one of several exotic cat exploiters who has threatened my life.

The Florida Wildlife Commission's stated mission is to Protect and Serve, but in my experience they only protect their right to kill animals and preserve that right at all costs. Most of the physical attacks on me have happened while trying to speak up for animals at FWC meetings. In the past they have typically turned a blind eye to it. I’m hopeful that considering the actions of the USFWS and FBI on the Schreibvogel case, that it will become safer for those advocating to protect animals at these meetings.

One case, in particular that leaps to mind is where I was walking down a long hall to a set of double doors where the FWC was holding a stakeholder meeting. That is usually a crowd of hunters and fishermen lobbying for more ways to kill animals and me and two or three other women who would attend to oppose the land grabs and free for all hunting regs. There would always be a lot of intimidation at those meetings, but this time was worse.

Coming down the hall behind me this time was Vernon Yates. He was a trapper that FWC could call on to pick up any kind of nuisance animal or for any seizure of illegally kept exotics. We were told Vernon Yates would then sell those animals back into the pet trade or feed them to his growing collection in his backyard, but we could never prove it. His yard was less than 2 acres and borders a grade school playground. He had something like 75 big cats, bears, and other exotics there at the time.

I was there to ask for a ban on the private possession of exotic cats. Vernon Yates was there to make sure no ban took place. He is a violent man and has physically attacked me twice. I was gathering up all my courage to go through those double doors, knowing I would be greeted by a room full of hostility. I didn't hear him come up behind me and lunge for me, until just as I opened the doors.

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.

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Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion. Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

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