Carole Ann Stairs, who is best known for her Carole Baskin activism, has drawn attention to the issues surrounding big cat captivity.
Through her role as CEO of Big Cat Rescue, she raises awareness about the mistreatment and exploitation of these animals.
Her efforts have garnered media attention and sparked meaningful conversations about animal rights and welfare.
File
- Full name: Carole Ann Stairs
- Stage name: Carole Baskin
- Date of birth: June 6, 1961
- Age: 62 years old
- Place of birth: Texas
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Big cat rescue
- Height: 5’4
- Parents: Vernon and Mary Stairs
- Siblings: 2
- Spouse: Michael Murdock, Don Lewis
- Children: Jamie Veronica Murdock,
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: 7 million USD and 20 million USD
Early life and education
Carole Ann Stairs was born on June 6, 1961 at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. She was raised by her parents, Vernon and Mary Stairs, and grew up with two siblings whose names are unknown to the media.
However, Carole’s life changed when she dropped out of high school and left home with a local roller skating rink employee.
Career
Carole Ann Stairs, a woman passionate about animals, has had a diverse and fascinating career.
She started raising show cats when she was young and even used llamas for unique lawn mowing work.
She later joined her husband, Don Lewis, in the real estate business in the 1990s. Together, they co-founded Easy Street Wildlife, a big cat sanctuary near Tampa, in 1992 Stairs’ love of animals has taken her down many paths and has had a significant impact on the world of animal protection.
Despite the challenges and hardships, Carole Ann Stairs remains dedicated to her passion for big cats and their well-being.
After realizing the harm it caused to the animals, she decided to stop raising them. In 1997, after the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Don Lewis, she renamed her sanctuary Big Cat Rescue and took on the role of Executive Director.
She continues to run the shelter and care for more than 200 rescued big cats, giving them a safe and loving home.
Carole uses social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and her podcast “Chat about cats” to promote widespread cat conservation and raise awareness of the dangers of private ownership of exotic animals.
She also actively lobbied for the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would ban private ownership of big cats in America and protect their safety and well-being.
Through her online presence and advocacy efforts, Carole strives to positively impact the protection of big cats and their natural habitats.
Social Media
- Facebook: Big Cat Rescue
- Twitter: @BigCatRescue
- Instagram: @bigcatrescue
Personal life
Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, has been married twice. Her first husband was Michael Murdock, whom she married at the age of 17 in 1979.
However, she has publicly stated that she never loved Murdock and only married him to please her parents.
The couple had a daughter, Jamie Veronica Murdock, in 1980 before divorcing in 1981. Baskin’s second husband was Don Lewis, a wealthy businessman whom she met in 1981.
They married in 1991 after both divorced their previous spouses. Sadly, Lewis mysteriously disappeared in 1997 and was declared legally dead in 2002.
Net value
Baskin’s net worth is between $7 million and $20 million. However, there is no exact number as estimates vary between sources.
Some people believe her net worth is $7 million, while others believe it is closer to $20 million. She probably falls somewhere in this range.