LIOC-ESCF members have been accorded the privilege of participating in the International Species Information System (ISIS) SPARKS program. By participating in the SPARKS program you will have access to blood values for the species you register. Should your animal ever become ill, this information will be invaluable to your veterinarian in determining what norms exist for the species.


The Importance of LIOC-ESCF Participation

It is important for all LIOC-ESCF members to participate in this program as fully as possible, as it indicates a willingness on our part to engage in good husbandry practices, as well as furthering research and conservation of the felid species. Our willingness to contribute to the conservation and knowledge of these species will be a valuable tool in convincing legislators that LIOC-ESCF members provide a valuable service in the conservation of endangered and threatened species.

Please take the time to complete the online SPARKS form or the SPARKS mail-in form as completely as possible. You will be asked to update this information each year when you renew your LIOC-ESCF subscription, or you can report any changes (deaths, births, etc.) to us at any time.


Every Exotic Cat Matters

Even the registration of one, non-breeding or neutered animals is important. Current data relies on information provided by zoos, even though animals in the private sector have many times longer lifespans. A serval in a zoo setting may have an average lifespan of 10 years, by registering all our cats, we can then factor in this information to provide a larger picture of the true parameters of a species in a captive environment. Reporting when a cat reproduces and keeping track of the sexes of the kittens is also beneficial to the larger picture. The more data that is reported and entered, the better the correlations we make about the cats in our care. This is invaluable in developing proper management techniques. The data we collect about cats in captivity can also ultimately lead to comparisons of wild behavior that enhances conservation efforts.

Further, this program will eventually be useful in determining genetic factors should you decide to breed your animals. By tracking the bloodlines, you will know if a potential mate is a close relative that should not be used due to inbreeding. Additionally, predisposition to certain illness may also be tracked. Many health problems have been determined to be the consequences of inbreeding.


Your Privacy is Assured (if you wish)

If you wish to participate in the program anonymously, you can do so by simply checking the "Keep this information anonymous" box. Your cat(s) will then be shown only as a "LIOC-ESCF cat" with no other identifying information, other than the vital statistics (age, sex, etc.), which is useful for statistical purposes in many scientific studies. In the future you may be asked to provide further data on this species for varying research purposes. At no time will your name or address be given out if you choose to participate anonymously.

Should you not indicate a wish for anonymity, others (zoos) participating in the program will have access to your name and address and may contact you directly to participate in gathering or providing of data for research programs.


Cost

Registration into the SPARKS program is free to LIOC-ESCF members. If you wish, you may purchase a microchip for implantation at a cost of $10.00 per cat. This includes the injection syringe necessary for implantation. These microchips will identify your cat for life. They are inserted under the skin at the nape of the neck and can be read by scanner . If you wish to purchase microchips for your cats, send a check for the appropriate amount to LIOC at the address below. Indicating which cats these chips wll be placed in.


Related Links (WIll open in new browser window):

Electronic SPARKS Form for LIOC Members
Mail-in SPARKS Form for LIOC Members
International Species Information System (ISIS)



Submitted by: Shirley Wagner, January 2000
Copyright © 2000 LIOC-ESCF