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| Monday, Jan 18, 2016
shambala
Tippi Hedren and some of the big cats at the Shambala Preserve in Acton. Photos Courtesy of Tippi Hedren

The Shambala Preserve’s owner and operator, Tippi Hedren, is having a birthday and would love to receive a gift for the animals.

She writes – Hi everybody I’m having a birthday on Jan. 19 and so many people have asked me, “What do you want for your birthday Tippi? Anything special?” I thought for a few minutes and said, “Yes, I know what I want – and it would be special. But it’s not for me.”

It was such a special idea I thought I’d share it with you. You see, I’ve got too much ‘stuff’ at this point in my life, and I’m going to be 86. Retirement is a four letter word as far as I’m concerned. But, do you know what I would really love? I’ve been rescuing the big cat since 1973. I have been Founder and President of the Roar Foundation since 1983 to support the wild ones of Shambala. I’ve been in charge of raising the funds to support these magnificent big cats, all born in the U.S., to be sold as a pet or for financial exploitation.

This has been an amazing life, one that I would not change a single day of for any pipe dream life of riches and elegance. I’ve never taken a salary nor have I been paid on any level from the Roar Foundation.

Last Jan. 9, 2015, I submitted to a 10 hour operation on the vertebrae in my neck. I had seen my MD to stop my constant headaches. He looked at the MRI and said “How are you holding up your head?” I said, “What?” He repeated the question and showed me the evidence of the problem existed in the vertebrae in my neck. Next minute, I was in the hospital.

The day after the operation my truly brilliant Dr. Kavenfar explained it would take a full year before I would be feeling well, and for the anesthesia to leave my body. For 8 to 9 months I would have to wear a Miami neck brace, really attractive, 24/7. Yes that means, day and night for at least eight months. After that, it would take another several months for my vertebrae to heal. I still wear the brace at night. Actually it makes me feel secure and safe.

shambala

Tippi Hedren

I’m telling you all of this because I’m feeling better. However, this is why you haven’t been seeing very much of me the past year. I tried working, several times, but found it exhausting – as much as I didn’t want to believe my MD about that long year it would take take for me to feel good again. And I have to remember, I am beginning the last half of my eighties, I keep forgetting that.

So, this is why I’m going to ask all of you to help me raise $86,000. One thousand dollars for each of my 86 years.

Yes, $86,000 for The Roar Foundation to support the magnificent wild ones at the Shambala Preserve, thru the Roar Foundation in my name, Tippi Hedren. You could donate any amount, eight dollars, eight hundred dollars, eight thousand dollars, eighty-six thousand dollars.What ever you choose, in my name.

And, we’ll put your name on the birthday card for Tippi’s Birthday Fund!! Just think, you wouldn’t have to shop, choose or wrap a present and your gift will be used to keep the magnificent wild ones of Shambala in the perfect life to which they have become accustomed and are so deserving.

I’m very excited about my birthday this year because it will all be benefiting the most important animals in my life.

Thank you for reading this and acting upon it. I’m so hoping to see all of you at Shambala this year, over and over again.

With so much love for the Shambala wild ones,
Tippi Hedren

The Shambala Preserve is located at 6867 Soledad Canyon Road Acton, CA 93510. Their phone number is (661) 268-0380.

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25 Comments

  1. She looks awesome – still remember her in one of the scariest movies – Hitchcock’s “The Birds”! Still get funny feeling when I see crows all nesting in same tree!

  2. Sue Jacobs Sue Jacobs says:

    Had the pleasure of meeting Ms Hedren what a lovely woman I admire her so Happy Birthday?

  3. Gus Torres Gus Torres says:

    She made Mr. Marbles day back at Bodega Bay’s 50th Anniversary of the filming of The Birds:)

  4. Donna Glass-Phelan how funny I was just saying how I want to go!

  5. Marye Lasko Marye Lasko says:

    Wishing you a Happy 86th Birthday !!!!

  6. Carol Brooks Carol Brooks says:

    Seeing the Shambala Preserve was the highlight of my daily Metrolink trips from Lancaster to Birbank

  7. Loved going to Shambala with Tiffany Hinze years ago, and meeting Tippi Hedren. The beauty of Shambala is the loving respect and protection of all the animals in her care–exactly how it is supposed to be.

  8. Tippi visited a camp in Sacramento full of displaced Vietnamese women whose villages were destroyed during war.. Tippi flew 20 manicurists to camp to teach the women how to do the perfect manicures so the women could make money quickly in their new country without knowing the language here.. That’s why most manicurists are mostly Vietnamese here in California

  9. Happy Birthday Tippi Hedren

  10. Happy birthday Tippi see you at Le Chene Restaurant with all your fan club from Agua Dulce and Acton to celebrate your special Day

  11. Happy Birthday Tippi!! ????86 years young!

  12. Randi Joyner Randi Joyner says:

    Happy Birthday, Tippi. Have a great day. I remember living in Acton, and being able to see her beautiful animals.

  13. margo says:

    Happy Birthday Beautiful

  14. Mary Travis says:

    This Lady is such a class act. Our group visited Shambala many years ago and I could not have been more impressed. The personal tour and my close up photographs in the park are some of my treasures. Tippi Hedrens mission to save the big cars has never wavered and the 3 legged cheeta obviously adored her.

  15. Happy Birthday and happy to hear you are feeling better as you have Shambala to run and care for so many Cats. Best Wishes,

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