Last week, our caretakers drove to Michigan to help rescue 4 exotic cats from Even Keel Exotics, a facility with a long list of violations of the Animal Welfare Act and Endangered Species Act. They include 2 caracals, a fishing cat, and a young serval.
Even Keel Exotics was an exotic animal dealer who bought, sold, traded and exploited animals through paid animal encounters. Sadly, he offered encounters with young animals that had been taken from their mothers at just days and weeks old.
In all, 142 animals were seized and sent to reputable facilities where they will receive the compassionate care they deserve.
Thankfully, this facility has now been permanently closed down by authorities.
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EVEN KEEL EXOTICS HISTORY
Since 2014, USDA inspection reports cite an astonishing 74 violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including animals being deprived of water and denied veterinary care.
Inspectors found animals living in cramped, filthy cages that didn’t even provide adequate shelter from inclement weather.
Our staff were one of the first teams onsite and safely removed the cats housed there. They saw cages that were barren and dirty. Luckily, these four cats are all under 3.5 years old and resilient.
LIFE BEGINS AT THE WILDCAT SANCTUARY
The new residents will remain in quarantine for the next 30 days, but they’re already enjoying habitats with grass, logs, platforms and so many amenities they didn’t have in their barren cages.
Each cat will need an intake exam, deworming, vaccines and eventually be spayed and neutered. Your donation or sponsorship today will help them begin their new life! A life they deserve.
MEET THE CARACALS
First, I’d like to introduce you to the caracals and share what we know about them. Stay tuned on Thursday when I’ll introduce you to the fishing cat and serval, too.
Male Caracal
Sadly, these caracals were imported recently from Prague to the U.S. to be used as a breeding pair.
At approximately three years old, he and his mate have already been through so much in their young lives.
He reminds us so much of our caracal Sampson when he was young. He’s sociable and easy going.
Female Caracal
The female is approximately 2.5 years old. She’s a bit more nervous but participates in husbandry well.
Their first day at the sanctuary, the two were cuddled up together in the safety of their den box. What a whole new wonderful world this is for them!
But by the evening, they were curiously checking out their new bobcat neighbor Bella. It was so heartwarming to see them playing and willing to come to the fence line to take food we offered them.
SPONSOR AND HELP ME NAME THE CARACALS
Neither of these cats was ever named. Their owner saw them simply as breeders for profit.
But we love them already and want them to have special names. That’s where I could use your help.
- First, as with all our other residents, these two would love to have sponsor parents.
It costs $300/year or $25/month to become a sponsor parent and I’ll send you new photos and updates about them whenever you ask.
This is something we rarely offer, so I hope you’ll think about taking advantage of this amazing opportunity.
I can’t wait to share more and more about them with you as they settle in for a whole new life here at the sanctuary.
And soon, I’ll have even more to share about the other two new residents!
