Asian Leopard Cat Saffron Orthopedic Care
Why was Saffron limping?
In 2023, WildCat Ridge Sanctuary was contacted by our friends at The Wildcat Sanctuary regarding the seizure of a group of severely neglected Asian leopard cats in Texas, who had been used for breeding Bengals.
Thanks to your support, we were able to offer four of these survivors a forever home. When they arrived, it was clear that the three females living together, Sage, Poppy, and Saffron, were deeply wary of people and much preferred the company of one another. Over the next year and a half, Sage, the oldest, grew slightly more tolerant of our presence. Saffron and Poppy, however, continued to prefer the quiet routine of receiving their meals and being left in peace.
A scary discovery...
One morning a caregiver noticed that Saffron was not putting weight on her front left leg. Radiographs confirmed what we feared: her leg was broken. Moments like this are a heartbreaking reminder that wild animals, by their very nature, are not meant for captivity. At WildCat Ridge, we work hard to strike a balance between safety and the natural features that allow our residents to live as freely and comfortably as possible. Even with the best care and thoughtfully designed habitats, accidents can happen.
Because of your generosity, we were able to act quickly.
Saffron received expert care from the incredible orthopedic team at Blue Pearl Pet Surgery, led by Dr. Krista Cioffi, who successfully repaired her injury while providing the specialized support she needs to maintain her wild nature. Over the next eight weeks Saffron’s activity will be restricted and her recovery will undoubtedly be challenging, but so far, she has been a model patient and we are optimistic she will make a full recovery.
