Baskin, on the other hand, was (and is) an animal rights activist who is the CEO and founder of Big Cat Rescue , a non-profit animal sanctuary that aims to protect and save wild cats from around the country who face abuse. The battle between her and Exotic started when Exotic used the Big Cats Rescue name as a way to advertise his zoo. She sued him for $1 million on trademark infringement and she won. Exotic became a huge target for Baskin, who saw his operations as vile and cruel. She even worked with PETA to get GW Exotic Animal Memorial Park shut down.