TOM | Why Keep a Live Tiger? Frequently Asked Questions Who "owns" TOM III? Who supports TOM III financially? Where did TOM III come from? Where are TOM III's brothers? How big will TOM III grow to be? How fast will TOM III grow? What does TOM III eat? Is TOM III declawed? Will TOM III be neutered? How long will TOM III live? Is TOM III sweet to his handlers? Does TOM III roar? How does TOM III get to University events? How do you get TOM III into his travel trailer? Where does TOM III live? Can I visit TOM III at his home? Can I have TOM III at my special event?       Who "owns" TOM III? TOM III is a project of the Highland Hundred, as all TOM's have been for over 35 years. The state and Federal licenses that grant authority to possess TOM III legally are held personally in the names of Tiger Guard members. TOM III is NOT owned by The University of Memphis. Top   Who supports TOM III financially? TOM III's financial needs are covered by a combination of support from the Highland Hundred General Fund and from other private sources. Private giving above and beyond normal Highland Hundred membership fees is an integral part of the process, allowing the HH general fund to focus its support on the Tiger Football Program. No University funds are utilized in TOM III's care. Top   Where did TOM III come from? TOM III was a gift to the Tiger Guard from the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center in Rock Springs, Wisconsin. This licensed, non-profit sanctuary is home to about 30 large cats, mostly Tigers, including TOM III's parents Thor and Vixie who are long-time companions. Since the goal of any reputable sanctuary is to limit the population of new Tigers in captivity, Vixie was on birth control. Unfortunately, the birth control failed, and she became pregnant with the litter of cubs that would include TOM III and his two brothers. They were born on August 31, 2008. Jeff Kozlowski, founder of Wisconsin Big Cats, saw the news of TOM II's death on ESPN. Knowing that the Tiger Guard would provide a good home for one of his new cubs, Jeff contacted us to offer one of the young Tigers to serve as TOM III. We flew to Wisconsin to meet TOM III and bring him home on October 23, 2008. You can visit Wisconsin Big Cats at www.wisconsinbigcats.org. Top   Where are TOM III's brothers? TOM III's brothers continue to live at Wisconsin Big Cats. One of them, a White Tiger, has been sponsored by the Tiger Guard and is named 'MEMPHIS'. Top   How big will TOM III grow to be? Based on the size of his parents, we expect TOM III to grow to at least 600 pounds. His father weighs about 650 lbs and his mother is large for a female Tiger. TOM III should be substantially larger than TOM II, who weighed about 500 lbs at his largest. Top   How fast will TOM III grow? It will take about three years for TOM III to reach his full size. It is not unusual for a young Tiger to grow a pound or more a day during growth spurts. Top   What does TOM III eat? TOM III eats a specially prepared beef diet that includes the necessary amounts of calcium, taurine, and other supplements that he needs to grow healthy and strong. The amount of his daily feeding is based upon his body weight as he grows. His diet is closely monitored by our veterinary team to ensure proper nutrition for his fast-growing frame. Top   Is TOM III declawed? No. TOM III will retain his claws. Any surgery can be stressful for a Tiger, and we have made the decision not to subject TOM III to that experience. Top   Will TOM III be neutered? No. Since TOM III will never be socialized with a female Tiger, this is not an issue. TOM II was not neutered, either. Top   How long will TOM III live? A male Tiger in captivity will generally live for 16-20 years. This is in contrast to the wild, where a male Tiger often lives only 10-12 years. Top   Is TOM III sweet to his handlers? Yes, TOM III is very affectionate with people he knows and trusts. But Tigers ARE NOT PETS, and those who care for TOM III must always be mindful of the fact that he is a powerful animal capable of causing injury. Top   Does TOM III roar? Tigers are very vocal animals, making a wide variety of sounds ranging from affection to anger. TOM III makes a rolling sound in his throat called "chuffing" which is a friendly sound and sign of affection that is unique to Tigers. He also grunts, hums, squeaks, snarls, and roars across a wide tone and volume spectrum depending on how the mood moves him. He is not afraid to tell you how he feels. Top   How does TOM III get to University events? TOM III travels in a climate-controlled, soundproof trailer, always under police escort. TOM III's trailer was restored and its systems re-engineered in 2007 at a cost of more than $40,000. The 3,500 pound, steel-and-tempered-glass trailer can support more than twice its own weight and has three redundant electrical systems to support the environmental controls that keep TOM III comfortable. Top   How do you get TOM III into his travel trailer? TOM III enters his trailer of his own free will, something he would not do if it was an unpleasant experience for him. We have no mechanism to make him do anything he does not want to do. Hopefully there will never be a day where TOM III decides he doesn't want to travel to see his fans, but if that day comes, he will stay at home. Top   Where does TOM III live? TOM III lives is the same facility occupied by TOM II for the final four years of his life. This custom-designed Tiger House, valued at more than $700,000, is among the finest private facilities in the nation. Constructed with a concrete and steel perimeter, it has two pools fed by a dedicated water well (Tigers love water), a climate-controlled indoor facility including a veterinary den, and multiple redundant security features designed to keep TOM III safe. The facility is inspected regularly by state and Federal regulators. Top   Can I visit TOM III at his home? TOM III's Tiger House is a private facility not open to the public. In addition to protecting the privacy of the land owner, this is also necessary for TOM III's security. Top   Can I have TOM III at my special event? TOM III serves as the mascot for The University of Memphis, and we do not "put him to work" promoting other interests. There is also a tremendous amount of time, logistical planning, and expense involved with each trip that TOM makes. Top

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