We received a call from a Minnesota owner of four bobcats looking to relinquish them. His 3-year old 
granddaughter had a very close call while near one of the cages and the owner was also scratched severely, requiring stitches. His family convinced him to reach out to The Wildcat Sanctuary in order to spare the bobcats’ lives.
The four bobcats had been purchased online from a Montana breeder. The owner’s intention was to breed them here in Minnesota and eventually kill them for their pelts.
Montana breeders have been selling kittens for decades, for as much as $1,750. They will ship the cats anywhere, apparently with no questions asked, as long as the buyer can pay.
Many of the cities and states where these wild cats end up have laws and ordinances that make it illegal to own them. But, for years, nothing has been done. It’s outrageous and heartbreaking that we have been called on to rescue so many, just like these four.
Sadly, in order for the owner to remain detached, none of the bobcats had been named. We agreed to take them in, since we were concerned about the safety of this family and the lives of these bobcats. All of our permanent habitats were full, so we quickly built temporary enclosures for them.
These bobcats lived in 4×8 wire suspended cages in the owner’s backyard. The pick-up went extremely well and the owner was very helpful. Once we safely captured and transported the bobcats back to the Sanctuary, our veterinarian performed intake exams, as well as spay and neuters, on them.
Three of the four bobcats will need full dental treatments due to advanced dental disease. Two of the bobcats were spayed and neutered right away, with the remaining two scheduled soon after. All were treated for intestinal parasites, too.
Having never felt grass under their paws, this would be the bobcats’ first opportunity. It was a 
joyous moment when they were released into their habitat here at the Sanctuary. They began acting like kittens, exploring their new areas, tossing their enrichment high into the air, batting it around and rolling in the grass and on the different scents.
We could hardly contain our tears as we watched them jumping from hammock to den, marking/hugging everything in sight. What a great day providing a home to these wild cats in need, giving them a second chance at life!
A family member of the owner has since shared this: “Thank you for taking them! I am very glad he chose to let them live. I told him that you provide the most amazing life for the cats.”
We are so thankful they are with us, too!
Hamlin has a name now
When the four Minnesota bobcats were rescued from their owner’s backyard cages, they had no names.
One of our top supporters, Russell Cowles, had a wonderful idea of recognizing one of our volunteers.
Hamlin looked healthy during his intake exam, but he’s scheduled for a special neuter for his cryptorchid. He had fleas and intestinal parasites, but was in good condition otherwise.
October 2012
It’s been a few months since Stelter, Brianna, Felicity, and Hamlin were rescued and brought to our Sanctuary. And my, oh my, how life has changed for them!
You can tell, from these pictures, that they’re so happy they literally kiss the ground they walk on!!
No longer timid, they’ve spent so much of their time exploring around the tall grass and flowers of their summer habitat. The trees, hammocks, pools, perches, and indoor dens have been such treats for them.
Imagine how life has changed from what little they had before to all we’ve been able to give them now.
They’ve all been spayed or neutered and are free of parasites. Since they arrived with dental disease, three of the four will be having dental procedures this week.
We’re looking forward to finishing their new, large, free roaming habitats so they’ll be able to move into those before snowfall. Life just keeps getting better and better for these four! We’re so thankful to have supporters who help us provide the best of care for the cats we rescue.
