Whether they know it or not, nine tigers seized from an Underwood, Minn., animal farm last week can breathe a little easier.
Euthanasia - which had loomed as a possible fate - now appears a remote threat after three animal sanctuaries said they will make room for the big cats.
"We're hoping they will be on their way to their new homes this weekend," said Tammy Quist, director of the Wildcat Sanctuary near Cedar, Minn.
Quist worked with animal welfare advocates across the country to secure permanent placement for the cats after they were seized by Otter Tail County on June 14.
Officials said the tigers would be held until Thursday - the deadline for a court challenge to the seizure - and then destroyed if alternative homes were not found.
Tiger troubles
That dire option is now unlikely, Quist said Tuesday, though she added all plans are on hold until midnight Thursday, when ownership of the cats will officially shift to the county.
The cats were taken under a nuisance abatement order issued after three people were bitten or clawed at the Arcangel Wildlife farm.
The county also is investigating possible violations of laws regulating the care and ownership of animals, according to Otter Tail County Attorney Dave Hauser.
Arcangel Wildlife was started several years ago by property owner Wendy Mears and David Piccirillo, who Mears says owns the cats.
Neither Mears nor Piccirillo could be reached for comment Tuesday.
Earlier this week, the Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary near Columbus, Miss., informed Quist it would take two tigers.
A second sanctuary indicated it would take the other seven cats if $30,000 could be raised to offset costs.
As of Tuesday, Quist said two sanctuaries had agreed to take seven tigers between them and to handle all of the costs themselves.
Quist declined to name the out-of-state operations because sanctuary officials had yet to confirm plans with their respective boards of directors.
If Otter Tail County assumes ownership of the cats at midnight Thursday, officials will pass ownership to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, Minn., which in turn will give custody to the Wildcat Sanctuary, Quist said.
The Wildcat Sanctuary will then give the big cats to the homes that will care for them permanently, moving the animals from their temporary holding area in Minnesota, which has not been disclosed by county officials.
Although funding no longer appears to be a critical factor in securing homes for the cats, Quist said donations are still being accepted to help the new owners provide for the animals.
The Wildcat Sanctuary can be reached at (763) 444-8545, or online at: www.wildcatsanctuary.org
While it appears the tigers from Underwood will enjoy a happy ending, Quist said the stories of many exotic animals in private hands are sad ones.
That will continue, she said, unless federal and state governments toughen laws on private ownership of big cats.
"For every tiger we find a home for, another 10 are waiting in line," she said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555