Response to media dated April 27 2020

In response to the articles as displayed in the Daily Mail and Mail Online on April 27 2020.

Misconceptions and Misquotes

1. Joe Exotic is not my friend.
2.  I consulted with 5 different facilities about enclosure design. Joe Exotic was one of them.
3. I am not campaigning for his release from prison.
4. I have never been to GW Zoo nor have I met Joe Exotic in person.
5. I do not support the behaviour portrayed by Joe Exotic or the way he conducted himself at the GW Zoo as shown on the Tiger King series.
6. I do not have a facility in Perthshire.
7. Savannah cats make good pets.
8. Wild cats such as Caracals, Servals, Bobcats etc. do not make good pets in domestic environments.
9. We are not the only facility in the UK to keep and place DWA cats.
10. Every facility should be looked at on it's own merits. We always work toward the best interest of the cats in our care.
11. I do not see any similarities between myself and Joe Exotic.
12. As stated on our website, we do not place wild cats as pets.

The interest in "Tiger King" has brought a lot of attention our way.  I have no personal knowledge of how those facilities were run so have no comments about "Tiger King" or Joe Exotic.  We would be happy to discuss the care of our animals and answer questions about our facility and new conservation centre.

Kayleigh McIntosh-Lowrie

Updated 13th May 2020
Response received from Daily Record Complaints:
"You have complained that you are not best friends with Joe Exotic. It is worth noting that nowhere within the article does it describe you and Joe Exotic as the 'best of friends' as you have suggested in your complaint. The article describes you as a 'pal' and a 'long-time friend'. 

Having read the transcript of your interview, I understand that you spoke to Joe Exotic through Facebook and Messenger, and you state: 'I haven’t spoken to him for a few years now' and that 'We have common friends'.

You have complained that the article is inaccurate to have stated that you have a puma-breeding programme at an undisclosed location in Perthshire. This information came from an anonymous source, and although not a significant inaccuracy, the publication would be happy to remove this statement from the article.

You have also disputed the statement: 'Kayleigh lives in Denny, Stirlingshire, where she has bred bobcats and Savannah cats for sale to wealthy buyers for up to £7500 each', specifically the suggestion that you have sold a bobcat. I note within your interview that you are quoted stating that 'Bobcats can go for £7,500'. However, the publication would be happy to remove this paragraph as a gesture of goodwill. 

In light of your concerns of the quote: 'If they are treated correctly, they make fantastic pets – more like dogs than cats in the way they bond', the publication would be happy to clarify that this is in relation to Savannah Cats, as a gesture of goodwill. 

Finally, you have complained that you are not the only person in the UK to keep or sell DWA cats. I note that the article states that you are the only breeder in Scotland, not in the UK."

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