Stefanie Kraus

We are heartbroken about the passing of Lea, a Savannah cat who was deeply cherished by the WildCat Ridge Sanctuary family. At 12 years old, Lea carried herself with a quiet confidence and a strong sense of self, leaving a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of caring for her.

During a routine wellness exam, our veterinary team discovered that Lea was experiencing difficulty eating and would benefit from dental care. While under anesthesia for a complete exam, her heart unexpectedly gave out. Despite immediate and extensive lifesaving efforts, Lea passed away, likely due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Her loss was sudden and devastating, and she is deeply missed.

Lea may have been soft-spoken in nature, but her presence spoke volumes. She was observant, expressive, and unmistakably clear about her expectations—especially when it came to mealtime. Her bond with her best friend, Sephora, brought comfort and warmth to many moments, often finding the two of them curled up together in a shared bed.

From our animal care team:
Lea was a very quiet girl who knew what she wanted, when she wanted it. The looks that she gave the keeper team were full of direct judgment and certainty of where she wanted her plate of food placed. She was shy but also confident when in her element. Her best friend at the sanctuary was Sephora, a bengal, they would always be caught snuggling up in a bed. Her quiet presence and authenticity will be truly missed by our WCR family

Lea’s gentle spirit and quiet strength will forever be a part of WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. She was loved deeply and will never be forgotten.

Lea’s History
Sometimes social media can be a wonderful thing. We were contacted by a woman back east who had trapped a feral cat out of a colony that she was feeding. She thought the cat could possibly be a Savannah and wanted our opinion. We were shocked to see that the cat was indeed a Savannah cat!

Working together her rescue group vetted the cat, spayed her and then Sarah flew out with the little girl, she named Lea. She hasn’t warmed up to people but lives in SC3 a new building for hybrids and domestics. There she has her best friend Leo, an F1 Bengal and the other cats. We are thrilled to be able to provide a lifetime home for Lea and can’t thank Sarah enough for caring about this feral girl.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Moe, a Bengal cat who lived an extraordinary 22 years and spent his golden age as a cherished member of the WildCat Ridge Sanctuary family. Moe’s long life was filled with confidence, character, and an unmistakable presence that made him a true fixture of the sanctuary.

As Moe grew older, our team carefully monitored his health. Kidney failure is the most common disease affecting senior cats, and at 22 years old, Moe was considered very elderly. Despite ongoing veterinary care, medication, and special supplements, there came a time when Moe gently let us know he was ready. He passed peacefully, having lived out his life surrounded by familiar spaces, feline companions, and the people who loved him deeply.

Moe was more than a resident—he was part of the heart of the sanctuary. His routines, quirks, and steady presence created lasting memories for all who knew him, and his absence is felt every day.

From our animal care team:
Moe was such a staple of the sanctuary, he always greeted new volunteers, interns and visitors like he had known them forever. Moe lived out his old age with confidence and dignity, surrounded by the people who loved and cared for him and around his feline friends that adored him. His favorite past times were peeing on other cats and sunbathing with his friends in the fresh green grass. He will be greatly missed here at the sanctuary.

Rest peacefully, Moe. You were deeply loved and will always be remembered.

Moe’s History
Moe, a Snow Bengal, was originally turned over to AniMeals a rescue group in Montana. He was rescued from an uncaring family who left him outside in the harsh winter weather in Montana. AniMeals took him in and started looking for a new home for him.

Sephora, an F1 Bengal who arrived at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary in 2016, passed away at the age of 19.

She came to us from Texas along with her domestic companion, Rollo, after their owner’s circumstances changed. Rather than returning Sephora to breeding, her owner wanted a safe and permanent home for both cats, and we were honored to provide that for them. Upon her arrival, Sephora was spayed, and for the first time in her life, she was able to simply live as she wished — free from breeding and the pressures often placed on hybrid cats.

Over the years, Sephora settled into sanctuary life with ease. She was independent, confident, and enjoyed spending her time exploring her habitat or relaxing in peaceful spots. Her closest companion was Lea, another Bengal, and the two were rarely apart. Their bond was one of the constants in Sephora’s life, and they spent many contented years side by side.

In her final week, we noticed Sephora was not acting like herself. Despite changes to her medications, her condition continued to decline. A veterinary exam revealed she was severely anemic, likely due to bone cancer. With her comfort in mind, and knowing the prognosis was poor, we made the difficult decision not to wake her up from anesthesia. She passed quietly and peacefully while in the care of staff who knew and loved her.

Sephora lived a long life — one marked by safety, companionship, and the freedom to make her own choices each day. She will be missed by everyone here at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary.

Sephora will always be remembered as a strong, beautiful cat who made the most of her years at the sanctuary.