I’ve been a sponsor at The Wildcat Sanctuary for a little over 5 years. I started with Bosco, an African serval who had become the big brother to many of the servals as the sanctuary. Bosco arrived at the sanctuary in 2002 as a six-week old kitten. With an outgoing personality, he bonded with the cats and helped newcomers to acclimate to their new environment. One could say Bosco was a kitty ambassador. The friendship between Bosco and Zepo, a hybrid serval and caracal, caught the attention of the National Geographic Kid’s Magazine editor. They were featured in the October 2003 issue.
Bosco lived over 20 years at the Sanctuary free from the issues that other cats face in captivity. You can read more about Bosco at the following link.
https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/resident/bosco/
The Wildcat Sanctuary provides an environment where the cats can live in as natural an environment as possible with minimal interaction with humans. They are provided with expert health care and their caregivers are trained to provide for the cats safely and humanely.
The Wildcat Sanctuary differs from other big cat sanctuaries because they are closed to the public. The cats that come to them have been abused by humans who have used them for photo props, cub petting or private owners who did not provide the proper care. These cats have never known what it is like to live in their natural habitat. They have not known freedom.
Other sanctuaries allow people to tour their facilities and provide education and research to get income to care for the cats. I understand how expensive it is to care for the cats. It can cost over $10K annually to provide food and care for a large cat. Considering the conditions the cats come from, I would prefer to not put these beautiful animals through any more trauma. The Wildcat Sanctuary is a place for the cats to live free at heart.
After Bosco passed, I switched my sponsorship to Scarlett, also an African serval. Scarlet came to the sanctuary after being privately owned. She was less than 2 years old.
Upon arrival, the intake examination revealed heartbreaking injuries and issues from maltreatment. By the time these cats get to the sanctuary, the damage has been done. There is no way they could be “released to the wild”. On top of that, after being bred in captivity and passed from one human to another, they never get the chance to learn how to live in the wild. Fortunately, Scarlett is now at The Wildcat Sanctuary. She is getting the best possible care for her injuries and able to live a life that is as free as possible. She no longer has to fear mal-treatment from people who want to “own” a wildcat.
You an read more about Scarlet’s story at the following link
https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/resident/scarlet
The Wildcat Sanctuary provides amazing care for these beautiful cats. Each cat’s story touches my heart. While I could write forever about their work and cats, the following video gives you the best message.
If I could ask one thing, it would be for those who read this post to educate yourself about the perils of wild pets. Even hybrids are a problem. When Hoshi passed and my home was cat-less for the first time in 20 years, someone told me I should get a Bengal. Wrong. There is nothing “cool” about having a “lap leopard”. Breeders cannot choose what genes a cat will get. The hybrids have many health issues that make them very expensive to provide the care they need. Trust me – one or four generations from a wild ancestor does not make a domestic pet. Once that animal reaches maturity, the wild nature will take over and they will mark their territory, even if spayed or neutered, and most likely challenge their owner as they would their parent or sibling in the wild for territory and dominance.
Instead, I went to a rescue and found my two babies, American Short Hair Domestics – who have plenty of “wild” in them! The shelters and rescues have plenty of wonderful kitties just waiting for a fur-ever home. Please do not provide a market for the Breeders of hybrids to continue.
If you know of anyone who owns or planning to purchase a wild animal for a pet, please do your best to talk them out of it. Call the authorities. Many states have laws against owning wild pets. If there is not a market for them, the Breeders will find another way to make money.