Capital campaign is underway to fund new facility for The Wildcat Sanctuary
By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com
Isanti County News
2006

With The Wildcat Sanctuary moving its facility to a 40 acre property in Sandstone, in Pine County, TWS has a chance to build a new facility in the future that will serve as a model for future sanctuaries.

TWS has been operating on a 10-acre property in Athens Township the past five years. It currently harbours 19 wildcats.

TWS founder and Executive Director Tammy Quist said due to the generosity of TWS supporters Gary and JoAnn Fink, TWS will be able to offer matching contributions to their building campaign fund that are received by April 30.

Highlights of the new facility include being able to better serve Minnesotans, a veterinary hospital and education center:

• The plan will serve Minnesotans by housing an estimated 70 percent of its residents from within the state, while the remaining 30 percent will provide flexibility for helping place out-of-state cats.
• A state-of-the-art veterinary hospital will provide residents and new rescues with critical medical care while serving as a training ground for vet students.
• While still maintaining their mission to not publicly display any of the residents, the new sanctuary will have a center at the entrance of the grounds that will provide a living classroom to educate the public about solutions to the captive wildlife crisis.

"Since 2001, The Wildcat Sanctuary has worked closely with government officials in Minnesota to rescue over 300 exotic wildcats in our state," Quist said. "Over the past year, however, we've seen an increase in the number of cats needing our help. In the last year we've rescued 33 tigers, bringing the total number of exotic wildcats we've helped rescue in the state to over 100 in 2005 alone."

Quist is excited about moving to Pine County and added the proceeds from the sale of the property in Athens Township will go toward building the new site.

"I've learned all things happen for a reason and all good things are worth waiting for," Quist said. "This rings extremely true in this case. I and TWS could have never accomplished this alone. I want to thank everyone in Minnesota who cared enough to fight for the rights of these animals. I especially want to thank Pine County and Sandstone Township."

Donations to TWS building fund can be made at The Wildcat Sanctuary or mailed to: The Wildcat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 314, Sandstone, MN 55072.