(Sandstone, MN – November 14, 2023) – Just one year ago, four young lion cubs rescued from Ukraine made national headlines as they arrived at their forever home – The Wildcat Sanctuary. At just weeks old, male lion Taras along with females Stefania, Lesya, and Prada, were rescued from the wildlife trade in Ukraine. They … Read more
Minnesota Wildcat Sanctuary’s Founder Receives Global Award for Sanctuary Excellence October 16, 2023 – (Washington, DC) The Board of Directors of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) today announced the recipient of the 2023 Carole Noon Award, Tammy Thies of The Wildcat Sanctuary, Minnesota. “Tammy has been instrumental in the rescue of wild cats … Read more
7/17/23 Update: Thank you all who helped us purchase much needed equipment for Cats in Crisis like Lucy and Violeta. Your generosity helped us buy: Customized transport trailer Brush hog for clearing brush Istat mobile blood machine Onsite storage crate dedicated to crisis response equipment Water storage containers, pumps and hoses Dens and kennels heaters, … Read more
As my birthday approaches, I can’t help but look back over the years. Just this past week, our 22-year-old serval Cleo had her geriatric wellness exam. It was emotional for many reasons. Most of all because she was the first cat to begin the sanctuary with me. Luckily, Cleo’s as healthy as any 22-year-old cat … Read more
November 2021 Animal Care Center Update: The time to move in is almost here! We are so excited all this new building will bring for us and the cats at the Sanctuary. You can be a Patron Founding member for $3,000 and be invited to the spring 2022 event. You can be a Platinum Founding … Read more
When we hear about accidents or fatalities happening at other facilities, it’s heartbreaking. But it reconfirms why here, at The Wildcat Sanctuary, human safety has always been the #1 Strategic Anchor our sanctuary’s built upon. We realize that, without making safety a priority, it jeopardizes the lives of all the animals we’ve worked so hard … Read more
It can be easy to think that, with just a little TLC, you can turn around the life of a rescued resident. In the best case scenarios, that can happen. But, more often than not, the cats that come to the Sanctuary have extreme medical conditions, unknown history and, understandably, behavioral issues or fear of … Read more
Searching for the right internship At a very early age, from the first time I laid eyes on them, I felt an instant affinity towards big cats. I was intrigued. I was in love. What made them tick? Why were they so special, so intriguing, so magnificent? Their eyes, the way they move, their language, … Read more
ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP OF A WILD CAT “If I were to come back as a tiger, I would want to live out my days at The Wildcat Sanctuary.” Dr. Ronald Tilson – Senior Conservation Advisor and World-Renowned Tiger Expert/Researcher The cats will live at The Wildcat Sanctuary the rest of their lives. Unlike a dog or cat … Read more
What a difference a couple of months can make for two very ill tigers! When we picked up Mohan, he had such difficulty walking. With degenerative joint disease of the knees due to untreated cranial cruciate ligament injuries and with nails grown so long they’d embedded in his front paws, walking was so painful. Look at … Read more
Cub petting is the practice of using baby animals, like tigers, as photo props for paying customers. These operations are deceptive because they prey on people’s affection toward baby animals, and exploit the desire to hold or care for them. This masks a secretive dark side, inherently dependent on animal cruelty for its very existence. … Read more
Note: This article is the second in a multi part series explaining cub petting. For the first part, go here. This tigress has had a tough life. Following the rescue of more than 100 big cats, including 75 tigers, from a cub petting operation, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) and Tigers in America (TIA) took over … Read more
