Month: November 2021

21
Nov
2021

What is a Hybrid Cat?

What is a Hybrid Cat?

The Keeper Journal

Taji

Here at WildCat Ridge, we take in a number of wildcats that used to be owned as pets, including bobcats, servals and the occasional lynx. Sadly, many pet owners believe that since they're "smaller" wildcats, they make the perfect exotic house pet. This is just not true, as they come to find out, and they're quick to try and re-home these animals in places like animal sanctuaries.

In addition to servals and bobcats, we also receive a number of inquiries asking to take in hybrid cats. Hybrids are the result of breeding a wildcat with a domestic house cat; these animals are then advertised as domesticated house pets. But no matter how hard you try, you simply can't take the wild out of a wildcat, even if it's been bred with a tabby.

So what's a hybrid?

Sadly, there are a variety of hybrid cats on the pet market today, tempting owners to invest in a more exotic, larger and unique looking pet. These cats may be anywhere from a first generation (F1) hybrid where one parent was a wildcat, one a domestic cat, to an F3, where the momma cat was an F2 and the father a domestic.

The belief is that the lower the number after the F, the less wild the animal...but we all know that while you might take the cat out of the wild, there's no removing the wild out of the cat. Right, Tut?

Savannahs, bengals and chausies

We currently have three different breeds of hybrids at our animal sanctuary – savannahs, bengals and one chausie.

  • Savannah – A savannah cat is the result of breeding a domestic cat with an African serval. While the resulting animal may look as unique as Taji or more like a large house cat, such as Violet or Maxi, their behaviors will likely remain as food aggressive and potentially territorial as a wild serval's. Of course, we do have some savannahs that love some keeper attention, but they remain a force to be reckoned with during breakfast.
Zuzu and Jersey

Zuzu and Jersey, savannah cats

  • Bengals – Bengal cats are the offspring of a domestic cat and Asian Leopard cat. And while they catch the eye of many want-to-be-exotic-pet owners because of their uniquely spotted coat, bengals have an irreversible instinct to mark their territory by spraying everywhere. While there is plenty of room for all our bengals to mark their territory to their hearts content out here at WCR, it's a good reason why bengals don't belong in a home.
    Morpheus

    Morpheus, bengal cat

  • Chausie – Chausies are a mix of domestic cat and jungle cat (Felis chaus). Only one chausie calls WildCat Ridge home: our beloved Tut. Even though this boy loves cuddles from the keepers, he also loves anything that smells. We frequently find him waist deep in the poop bucket when we're trying to clean litter boxes, and his reputation for spraying on everything (keepers included!) is just one reason why chausies make highly challenging pets.
Tut

Tut, chausie cat

But no matter their quirks, we adore each of our hybrid cats and find it an important part of our mission to provide them with a comfortable forever home.

Thinking about adopting a hybrid cat?

Trust us when we say, "Think again."

Don't get us wrong, we love each and every one of our hybrids, but we also love each and every one of our tigers and we certainly aren't suggesting they make good pets. Just because an animal is beautiful, exotic or has a great personality, it does not mean that animal belongs in a house. Far from it, in fact.

In addition, many hybrid cats, because they are the product of human experimentation and do not occur naturally in the wild, are born with a number of health complications or genetic defects. This can make life uncomfortable, even painful, for the cats; scary diagnoses and large vet bills are yet another reason why many owners give up on owning hybrids, resulting in an abundance of these animals at sanctuaries like ours.

Support our hybrids, not the exotic pet market

We won't disagree, hybrids are beautiful animals (like, we're all obsessed with Morpheus). However, as long as there is a demand, breeders will continue to supply hybrids, even when a majority of these cats will likely be re-homed or need extensive medical care at some point in their lives.

You can help put a stop to this demand and provide for the wellbeing of all exotic animals by raising your voice against the exotic pet trade, adopting a sweet domestic kitty from your local human society instead or virtually adopting one of our hybrids!

And we thank you for standing with us against the private ownership and breeding of exotic wildcats.

 

 

Posted by Rebecca Siemens in Blog
18
Nov
2021

What Does it Take to be a Keeper?

What Does it Take to be a Keeper?

The Keeper Journal

Believe it or not, but many of the keepers here at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary did not start out their professional careers right off the bat as animal caretakers. While many of us grew up loving animals, and at some point or other, when asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" responded with "A veterinarian," we actually ended up spending time working completely different jobs, like an EMT, an elementary school teacher and even a coffee barista.

And yet, our passions obviously got the better of us and, after a few years, changed trajectory completely. But you can ask any of us if it was worth it and likely hear a similar response: "This is my dream job."

Surviving Joe Exotic - Screenshot

But before we get all sentimental and I go off on a huge tangent about pursuing your passions, I think it's important to share some concrete information about what it takes to be a zoo keeper. How do you become one? Where do you start?

Educational requirements

Typically most animal care positions require a college degree or certification in a field like Zoology, Biology, Ecology or some other degree focused on animal management and husbandry. Some community colleges offer two-year zoo keeping degrees, while online certification programs, like the Animal Behavior Institute, offer certifications in numerous specializations, including Zoo & Aquarium Science.

If you're mid-career change and don't have time for another four-year degree program, don't panic. Shorter certification programs, as well as hands-on experience offer valuable skills that many keeping jobs look for.

How do I get hands-on animal experience?

In addition to educational know-how, many positions require animal handling/care experience. There are a number of ways in which you can gain this, such as volunteering at your local humane society, zoo or aquarium, or finding a reputable internship program.

Allow us to note the importance of finding a properly accredited zoo or aquarium at which to volunteer or intern. Looking for AZA accreditation or American Sanctuary Association accreditation will keep you from accidentally winding up at a potentially dangerous or disreputable roadside zoo or attraction. (Plus, accredited institutions just look better on a resume.)

Looking for an internship?

All of us exotic cat keepers here at WCR started out as interns, and we highly recommend interning as a fantastic way to get experience as an animal keeper. While most intern positions, be they at a zoo or sanctuary, are unpaid, the experience and knowledge you gain is crucial to your continuation in the animal field.

Rebecca working with the little cats

We are pleased to have the ability to offer a three month internship program here at WildCat Ridge where you will learn everything from how to prepare Scout and Atticus's daily diet to how to lay concrete. It's a mix of animal husbandry, the occasional landscaping task, keeping the Sanctuary property up-to-date, routine daily tasks and occasionally assisting the keepers with unexpected emergencies.

We find our internship program to be unique in that you get to work through protected contact with exotic big cats, you get to design and implement an intern project, like new animal enrichment, and you get the experience of shadowing and learning from the keepers.

If an internship program at an exotic cat sanctuary is the experience you're seeking, fill out an application today.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Posted by Rebecca Siemens in Blog
07
Nov
2021

Seasons Change: Winterizing the Sanctuary

Seasons Change: Winterizing the Sanctuary

The Keeper Journal

 

This year we’ve experienced some very drastic weather — from hot, humid summer days above a hundred degrees, to rainy hail storms this fall. And after last winter’s dramatic ice storm, we wouldn’t be surprised if Mother Nature keeps us on our toes all winter long.

Switching it up

As we transition from warm days into the cool temperatures of fall, we take the time to make sure that all the animals, from the domestics to the tigers, are kept warm, comfortable and well protected from the wind, rain and (sure to come) snow. 

Walls up, shade cloth down

At the start of the summer we install shade cloth on the walls and ceilings of all the enclosures, as the pens are constructed of metal paneling that let copious amounts of sunshine through. To keep the yards comfortable, we use shade cloth in strategic spots to create artificial shade and protection from the sun. In the winter, however, that all comes down. 

In addition to removing shade cloth, we install large pieces of sturdy plywood on the paneling that faces the cats’ yards. This helps protect the deck from any inclement weather, and gives the cats a dry place to go when it rains…which, in Oregon, is pretty much all the time. 

Preventing frozen hoses

Obviously in the winter we have no need for cooling misters, so we also take the time to disconnect all the hoses, drain the misters and coil them up until summer.

As we work throughout the winter, using the hoses and hydrants around the sanctuary, we make sure to disconnect and drain hoses from all the hydrants when we’re finished cleaning. Hoses full of frozen ice really don’t do much when we’re trying to refill waters. 

Keeping it warm

There are a number of tricks we use to keep our cats warm and dry in the winter (even though the tiger boys insist on swimming in their pools in the middle of December). 

Nora, a white tiger

  • Heated water buckets – Believe it not, but you can actually find water buckets that effectively keep the water at a comfortable drinking temperature, as well as prevent freezing. Every enclosure has at least one heated water bucket on the deck so the cats always have access to plenty of water.
  • Space heaters – In our small cat houses where we house the hybrids and domestics, you’ll find space heaters installed near the ceilings. These help maintain the indoor temperature, keeping the rooms nice and cozy. 
  • Wall heaters – On each of the cats’ decks you’ll find two den boxes: big rectangular dens that provide additional shelter, warmth and a snug place to curl up and sleep. On the walls of the den boxes are installed heating panels that keep the den boxes at a consistent temperature. We check these frequently throughout the winter, ensuring everyone’s den boxes stay cozy and dry. 
  • Additional straw – We cover the floor of the den boxes with straw year round, but in the winter we add extra straw for more warmth. And for our older servals and bobcats, we like to give padded cat beds and blankets to protect stiff little joints. 

As the temperatures drop, we are diligent about making sure all the cats are as comfortable as possible, regardless of the weather.

Raising diets

If you don’t work with animals, you might not realize this (I certainly didn’t know when I experienced my first season change as a keeper), but the cats here at the sanctuary become more wild than ever during feeding time. Because their bodies are burning so many calories in an attempt to regulate body temperature, they become increasingly hungry – and sometimes rather aggressive.

In order to mitigate their overwhelming enthusiasm at mealtimes (as well as maintain a healthy weight), we raise the diets of the cats requiring an increase. Not everyone is in need of this, but it has proven very beneficial in keeping our cats happy and healthy!

Howie

Meeting the challenge 

With any new season comes the possibility of inclement weather. And we rely on our tried and trusted procedures, as well as innovative ideas, to help us, and the animals adjust. By making it a priority to keep them comfortable and dry during the winter, we can ensure their comfort, no matter the season!

 

 

 

Posted by Rebecca Siemens in Blog