Who is that?
‘Tango the Cheetah.’ He’s kind of a big deal… he’s famous.
How famous?
Well, for starters, he was recently featured in National Geographic for his work as an “Ambassador Cat.”
That’s not very famous.
Ahem… I said ‘for starters.’ There’s more. He recently starred in an Infinity commercial with Neil Patrick Harris. And in two weeks he’s starring in a Superbowl commercial for Hyundai. A SUPERBOWL commercial! Is that famous enough for you?
Yes.
Very well then.
What’s an “Ambassador Cat”?
Pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a cat that, while not tamed, is trained to make public appearances in hopes of raising awareness about the species. The end goal, of course, is conservation. Conservationists feel like the best way to forge a lasting, emotional connection (ie. the best way to make people care) is by putting them in a room with these animals… with nothing but air, and a few feet between them.
Where’s he from?
South Africa. He was raised by the folks at Cheetah Outreach, though he currently resides with his people at Project Survival’s Cat Haven (just outside Kings Canyon, CA.)
What is Cat Haven?
It’s a non-profit group dedicated to helping researchers and conservationists in their efforts to study and protect wild cats. Its goal is to engage the support of like-minded individuals through education, and channel it directly to specific projects. The organization supports wildlife specialists through grant writing, fundraising and the donation of equipment and supplies. These efforts are designed to further our understanding of captive husbandry and the effective management of wild populations.
Why is he on your blog again?
Right! This weekend we’re hosting a fundraising Benefit Dinner for Project Survival’s Cat Haven. The event includes a three course meal with wine provided by Hook & Ladder, a “meet-and-greet” with Tango, and a presentation by the organization’s founder, Dale Anderson. (Dale’s brother, Dean, is Hotel Healdsburg’s longtime night audit, which is how we came to learn about Cat Haven.) Also, a special photography exhibit of artist Renae Sandberg’s work on endangered cats will be on display courtesy of Just for You Gallery.
When and Where?
The Benefit Dinner is Saturday, January 28th (6-9 pm) in h2hotel’s Green Room. Tickets are $75 and will be available at the h2 front desk, or online at cathaven.com.
What if I can’t make it but still want to help the cause?
You can write a check to “Project Survival” and send it to the folks at Cat Haven. I’m sure they’d love that.
It’s no secret we like all things sustainable and green. So naturally, when we heard about the book, 
