Hundreds to thousands of exotic cats are sold to roadside zoos and to individuals as pets. A surprising number of people are buying these wild animals as infants, without understanding the difficulties involved in caring for and containing them properly as they mature into adults. The result can be tragic – for the owner, the public and the animal. The exotic pet trade causes more suffering for big cats than poaching, loss of habitat and all other atrocities combined.

Every week we are called upon to rescue another exotic cat. Many cats that we rescue are able to permanently reside at TWS, click on the TWS Resident page to read their stories. However, our sanctuary alone cannot accommodate all the cats in need. Therefore, we are thankful for the network of sanctuaries that we work with to take in and provide permanent havens for those we rescue.

Below are just a few stories of animals that were lucky enough to find a happy ending through the combined effort of TWS and other sanctuaries. Click on the link to read the story.

Rescue Stories

~ Cuzco the Cougar
~ Young Serval Surrendered
~ Tiger Cub Saved
~ Little Lioness Cub

TWS Rescues a 350 lb Lion from Rural Minnesota

Recently, media representatives from the Twin Cities and neighboring South Dakota were present to document the move of a 3 1/2 year old, 350 pound male lion from a local farm to an accredited sanctuary in Mississippi by The Wildcat Sanctuary.

As staff members and reporters patiently waited for the lion to enter the transport crate on his own, TWS Executive Director Tammy Quist described to reporters that situations like this unfortunately are not unusual to TWS. In this case, five brothers purchased this lion as a cub from a Minnesota breeder. As the cute cuddly cub grew into an unhandleable, aggressive adult, the brothers moved him from the farm house to a cage in one of the out buildings where he lived until one of the brothers recently passed away. The remaining four brothers decided it was time for him to move to a location where he would be able to live outside among fellow lions and lionesses; this decision led them to The Wildcat Sanctuary.

Once the lion was prepared for transport, three TWS volunteers drove over a 21 hour period to bring the lion to an accredited sister sanctuary in eastern Mississippi. Another set of reporters and photographers were waiting at Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary when the volunteers and the lion arrived. As preparations were being made to move the transport carrier into place, Cedarhill Director Kay McElroy informed TWS representatives of the lion's new name, Valentino.

It didn't take Valentino long to come out of his transport crate to explore his new surroundings. Within minutes, Valentine was exploring his new habitat under the watchful, curious eye of his new neighbors.

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The private owner purchased the cougars as cubs at an out-of-state auction in 1996, but does not recall the state or who he bought the animals from. Nada, a 100-pound female, and DJ, a 170- to 180- pound male have had no access to the outdoors in seven years.

Michigan passed the Large Carnivore Act of 2000, requiring any private owner to obtain a permit to maintain ownership of animals such as the cougars. The private owner failed to apply for the permit putting him in violation of the Act, considered a misdemeanor in Michigan. In order to avoid prosecution and fines, the private owner cooperated with Michigan authorities to relocate the cougars.

Patrick Fetherston, Director of Cass County Animal Control found The Wildcat Sanctuary while performing a search on the internet to find a home for the cougars. Upon receiving a call from Fetherston, TWS Executive Director Tammy Quist, took on the challenge to find a permanent home where the cougars would finally have proper care and more natural surroundings.

Quist called her contacts around the country and successfully located a permanent home for Nada and DJ at Wildcat Haven in Sherwood, Oregon. Quist also arranged transportation and veterinary care for the cougars.

Tammy Quist and her boyfriend, Scott, celebrated their Valentine's Day evening in the TWS transport van during a nine-hour drive to Michigan, where they met Fetherston, Robinette and a local veterinarian to remove DJ and Nada from their dark, small pens and begin them on their journey west. The first stop for DJ and Nada was back in Minnesota where they received checkups and underwent spaying and neutering operations performed by Dr. John Baillie and Cedar Pet Clinic.

**Update**

Upon receiving a clean bill of health from the Cedar Pet Clinic staff, DJ and Nada set out, once again, on the final leg of their journey, this time accompanied by TWS volunteers Kelly and Sonja.

With the van loaded and the sun beginning to set, the four headed west, hoping Mother Nature would provide good driving conditions for the 1800-mile journey to DJ and Nada’s new home in Oregon, where brand new habitats were being constructed for the two. The three-day, two-night trip across the plains of North Dakota, the snow-covered mountains of Montana and Idaho, Washington, and Oregon was exhausting but well worth the effort. Cheryl Tuller of Wildcat Haven, met the weary travelers just outside Portland, OR to lead them the final few miles up a tree-covered mountain to the beautiful, secluded sanctuary DJ and Nada would call home.

Wildcat Haven operators and volunteers were putting the finishing touches on a 32' x 64' habitat which TWS donated the fundng for. Following brief introductions, TWS volunteers worked with Wildcat Haven staff and volunteers to unload their precious cargo and release both DJ and Nada into their new habitats. DJ took a brief tour of his new surroundings as Kelly and Sonja celebrated with a hug and a few tears as both whispered, “He’s home!” As DJ took refuge in his new den, the group immediately set out to release Nada into her neighboring habitat.

Both DJ and Nada spent a good portion of their first afternoon at Wildcat Haven inside their spacious new dens resting from their long journey. As the sun began to set and dusk set in on the mountainside, both DJ and Nada emerged, confident that the cover of darkness would provide the best opportunity to get acquainted to their new home where they now have ample space to roam and perches to climb on. The cougars have natural grass beneath their feet where they can take a catnap in the sun and experience the wonders of nature for the first time.

TWS’ Kelly and Sonja spent the remainder of the day at Wildcat Haven hosted by Cheryl and husband Mike, who refused to let Kelly or Sonja do any work, not even clean out their own van. Cheryl spent the afternoon giving Kelly and Sonja a complete tour of the sanctuary, introducing them to all the other residents, while Mike performed minor maintenance and cleaned out the transport van, making sure it was ready for the return trip back to Minnesota. The next morning, as Kelly and Sonja were heading into the mountains outside Coeur d'Alene, ID, Cheryl called Sonja’s cell phone to report both DJ and Nada spent the morning outside, in the sun, obviously becoming comfortable in their new home. Knowing DJ and Nada would be happy in their new home made completing 3600+-mile round trip much easier.

Nada and DJ have also made the headlines. Click the links to read the stories.

~ Unlikely Cass Residents Forced To Move On: Cougars Headed To New Digs In Oregon After Rescue From Jones Pole Barn

~ Jones Man Must Give Up Cougars

~ Former Area Couple Rescues Michigan Cougars

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Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana was able to accommodate the tigers and lioness but asked for our help in placing the cougar. Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center in Colorado agreed to take Cuzco. TWS drove to Illinois, loaded Cuzco, met the Colorado sanctuary in transit to transfer and send him on his way to his new home.

Unfortunately, these types of stories are all too common. You cannot domesticate a tiger, nor can you train it not act like a tiger. Until humans realize this, unfortunately, the headlines will continue.

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Wildcats Surrendered from Private Home ~
Knuck, Peek-a-Boo and Legend

Unfortunately, rescues like this are all too common at TWS. A significant amount of time is devoted each month to finding homes for cases just like this, due to the fact that TWS is currently filled to capacity.

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Young Serval Surrendered

The wild nature of many exotic wildcats prohibits them from becoming companion pets, regardless of how innocent or cute they appear. Such is the case with Eve, a baby African Serval. Servals are rapidly becoming very popular in the exotic cat trade. Owners quickly realize the species are indeed wild, often temperamental and do not make good pets. This realization has led to the need for suitable homes, like The Wildcat Sanctuary, where these unwanted animals receive the proper care from compassionate, educated staff.

TWS received a call in November, 2003, from an unsatisfied owner wishing to surrender the young wildcat due to her unfriendly nature. Tammy Quist agreed to rescue yet another animal and find a permanent home for her to prevent future neglect, abuse, or other unspeakable outcomes, often experienced by these unwanted animals.

TWS staff picked up the three-month-old Serval at a local, suburban gun shop. The owner had purchased Eve at only a few weeks old from a breeder. It was evident that little Eve had a physical malady in her front right leg, which did not straighten as it should. Further examination by a veterinarian diagnosed Eve with elbow dysplasia due to improper nutrition.

The national network of accredited sanctuaries was again utilized to find a permanent home for Eve where she would be able to receive proper care and medical attention for her special needs. Eve is reportedly adjusting and doing very well in her new habitat.

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Nala, Little Lioness Cub

Nala, an 8-month old lioness, was bought at an auction in Central Minnesota for $120. The owners bought her with the intention of keeping her as a household pet. At 8-months and 100 lbs., they soon realized that Nala needed much more than they could provide.

Like all exotics, she used the house as a jungle gym by destroying the furniture and urinating all over. The owners decided she had to move outside. They told TWS they had tied Nala to a tire to keep her from venturing too far. But even outside, Nala kept herself busy.

She went into the barn and had hurt their horse. Nala wasn't being bad, she was just being a lion. Then confined to a small pen and a dog crate for transportation, Nala paced and rubbed herself raw. At her new sanctuary, Nala was provided with space she needed to heal and grow healthy and strong.

It is very difficult to place lions and tigers. TWS could not house Nala, so we contacted our network of sanctuaries to find Nala a place that could truly provide her what she needed. Pat Craig of The Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center in Colorado offered to take her in. Even after a week on the road rescuing tigers from WI, Pat offered to drive back to Iowa to meet us.

Nala's new home is a 20-acre habitat where she will live with other rescued lions in a pride. Luckily, Nala's story has a very happy ending. Unfortunately, for other tigers and lions it sometimes takes months to find a sanctuary that has room.

Nala may have been loved by her owners, but what is critical to remember, love cannot override the needs and instincts of these wild creatures.

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Anna, MN Tiger Cub, Saved

In February, 2003, TWS received a call from the Humane Society, looking for a home for a young tiger cub, Anna. Most of what we know of Anna's situation came from several news articles written about her. Animal neglect and abuse draws media attention, but, what happens after the headlines fade? Rescued wildcats still need ongoing care to thrive and live a happy, healthy life. This is where TWS comes in. Our role was to place Anna in a permanent sanctuary where she could live her life as a tiger.

Anna was bought legally from a breeder in Minnesota. It was legal because there were no state laws regulating purchasing tigers as pets, at the time. Even though Anna was purchased legally, she was housed illegally in Albert Lea. Albert Lea requires a permit for exotic animals, which the owner did not have. The owner lived within city limits, in a populated neighborhood.

Authorities received complaints that the tiger was neglected and being kept in substandard conditions; raw chicken, feces and urine covered most of the floors. The tiger was being housed in a room with a fifth grade boy; there was no adequate enclosure.

Authorities had visited the owners house prior to confiscating the animal, at which time the owner stated there was no tiger cub being housed on his property. Subsequently, in October 2001, the court system barred the owner from having a pet as a penalty for a cruelty-to-animals conviction. Anna spent 25 days at the Humane Society where she was treated for being malnourished.

We received custody of Anna on Wed, 2/12/2003. It was a busy day with Anna scheduled for a vet check-up followed by an 11-hour journey to her new home at Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana. After 11 hours on the road with Anna "singing" loudly in the back, we arrived at the sanctuary at 2:30 a.m. Anna made herself quite at home with the other 130 exotic cat residents. The ride home was much more tranquil – not because it was quieter, but because we knew Anna was in a much better place.

Anna, the young tiger cub made quite a bit of news. We are happy TWS could provide her a happy ending. Click here to read one of Anna’s newspaper articles.

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Big Cats Saved from Extreme Conditions

One example of a dramatic rescue by TWS happened over the 2001 Christmas holiday. TWS rescued three tigers and two lions from an exhibitor in Iowa.

Four cats had passed away from starvation before TWS received the call. When we arrived, we were informed that a full-grown lion had died four days prior and was still in the enclosure being consumed by his mate.

This was the worst case of animal abuse TWS has ever seen. The five surviving animals were emaciated and at 50 percent of their ideal weight. They had no shelter, no food or water, and had open lesions covering their bodies.

The cats were transported to a sanctuary in the south which has a full-time.

Cruel and usual: How some of America's best zoos get rid of their old, infirm, and unwanted animals

By Michael Satchell

Besides the AZA rules, a 1966 law passed by Congress specifies care, feeding, and other requirements for the treatment of exotic animals and mandates that the Department of Agriculture enforce the statute. But a reporter and photographer who visited more than two dozen small zoos around the nation found a pattern of callous treatment and government neglect. Some examples: Four big cats died after the USDA recommended their owner place his two cougars, four tigers, two adult lions, and a young lion in Don and Dee's Exotic Zoo, a roadside facility in Manson, Iowa. The cougars died, apparently from malnutrition, and Steven Bellin, a USDA veterinarian, then inspected the zoo in November 2000. U.S. News obtained copies of Bellin's inspection reports and correspondence. "All but the young lion are on concrete flooring without bedding materials of any sort," Bellin wrote. "Ambient temperature was approximately 35 degrees. . . . There was no food on the premises for the large cats. . . . [Water bowls] were filled with either frozen or brackish water, carcass materials, and/or debris. Housing arrangements, lighting, and sanitation fail to meet the minimal federal standards. All seven of the large cats . . . appear thin/gaunt and somewhat emaciated. The female African lion recently failed to eat for three days.This animal might die if not treated."

Bellin gave the zoo owners six weeks to improve conditions. He apparently did not seek emergency removal of the animals or try to have the zoo closed down. A few days after his inspection, the female lion killed and ate the male. A male Bengal tiger also died after splintered turkey bones punctured its intestinal tract because it had no drinking water to flush them through its system. Before it expired, the tiger chewed its metal water bowl to pieces. "I believe [the bowl] that was torn apart . . . was a response by the animal to the deep, agonal pain [caused] by the tissue-penetrating bones," Bellin wrote. "I believe that the tiger was starving . . . and died in severe pain in the cold without a shelter or bedding."

The USDA fined Don and Dee's $500 and revoked its license. The local county attorney, Ann Beneke, sought to prosecute the owners on cruelty charges but was forced to drop the case when the USDA refused to allow Bellin to testify. He failed to respond to a U.S. News interview request.

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