By Means of an Introduction – the Keeper Journal
Written By Rebecca Siemens, Animal Keeper
Rebecca with Mouse, one of our domestic cats.
First things first, let me introduce myself – I’m Rebecca, one of the newer Keepers here at Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary (WCR) in Scotts Mills, Oregon. I started my journey with WCR as an intern in January 2021 and began as a keeper in June this same year. So far it’s been nothing short of a wild ride, and I’m confident in saying none of us keepers would have it any other way. After all, that’s what working alongside animals is all about. They call the shots, not us.
So what’s this “Keeper Journal” you’ve found yourself reading?
Great question.
Perhaps you’ve stumbled across the keeper’s TikTok or Instagram pages? (If not, go check them out to see the cat’s being adorable and the keepers being ridiculous.) Well, we started those pages with the hopes of letting you see some of the behind-the-scenes happenings, the sweet moments with the cats, and the realities of being an animal caretaker. And this corner of our WCR blog is dedicated to giving you a deeper look into what we do, why we do what we do, and, more specifically, the goings-on around the sanctuary.
Rebecca, feeding Howie and Casper
Being an exotic wildcat keeper is a roller coaster and one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever experienced. It’s inconsistent and routine, it’s lifegiving and exhausting, it can be pretty smelly and dirty, but it’s mostly simply beautiful. Because no matter how difficult the day has been, how much hay you’ve accumulated in your boots, how much sunscreen you’ve sweated off, or how many new ways you’ve had to attempt the same project, it’s all worth it when you’re greeted each morning with Atticus’s moos, Howie’s howls (obviously because you were so late bringing over breakfast, you terrible keeper you), and Addison’s chirps.
So I hope you tag along and tune in here and there to see what new project we’re working on, get to know the keepers and cats better, and even get a glimpse into our days around the sanctuary. Because, in true animal fashion, no two days are ever the same.
