Mojave is a male caracal who came to our sanctuary in August of 2023. It’s estimated that he’s a little over three years old.
Our staff 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. Read more about that HERE.
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 at the Sanctuary
Sadly, Mojave and Amira were imported recently from Prague to the U.S. to be used as a breeding pair. The breeder said they had no names, they were just considered inventory there. But to us at TWS, every cat is an individual and, with the help of sponsor parents, he was named Mojave since caracals are considered desert lynx, too.
At such a young age, he and his mate have already been through so much in their lives. He reminds us so much of our beloved caracal Sampson when he was young. Sampson was one of the first residents of the sanctuary. Just like him, Mojave is sociable and easy going.
Mojave will have an intake exam, deworming, vaccines and eventually be neutered. Then, he’ll move to a new habitat where he can live out his days among the other wild cats here at the sanctuary
How You Can Help
Mojave will have many years ahead here at the sanctuary. The day of rescue is just day one of a long lifetime of care costs.
One of the best ways to help is by becoming his sponsor parent. Or, another way is with a one time donation toward his care. It’s easy to do using the buttons at the top of this page. Thank you!
merging Aurora, Amira, and Mojave could be a permanent arrangement. Aurora laid out the ground rules and they accepted.
