Bobcats

01
Feb
2018
Sheba Bobcat (2018)

Sheba Bobcat (2018)

Good-bye, Sheba-Girl – January 30 2018

ShebaIt’s impossible to put into words the feeling of loss that floods over us when we lose a loved one. This past week on January 30th, 2018, we lost little Sheba, a bobcat who has lived with us since 2003. This feisty girl was born in 1996 in Minnesota. She was a ‘pet’ that lived isolated in a corncrib in a backyard. When the owners decided to sell their house, our friends at The Wildcat Sanctuary stepped in to rescue her. They, in turn, asked if we could provide a home for her which we were happy to do.

Little Sheba was a tiger in a bobcat suit, and as small as she was, there was no question that we did what Sheba wanted or face the consequences! She took no prisoners and we were very respectful of her space. Howie and Casper (two bobcats) became her companions and she loved bossing them around.

While we didn’t know much about her previous life before, we learned she had very strong maternal instincts. Shortly after she arrived, we found that she loved stuffed animals. She would carry them around, groom them and sleep with them, showing a dedication to their care that was both astonishing and sweet.

She was very protective of them and the boys, Howie and Casper, knew that those were her babies, and they never crossed that line. We don’t give stuffed animals to the wildcats, but Sheba was the exception. When they become too worn out from her love we replaced them with something as close as possible.

In the past year, she had been showing signs of slowing down and when we did blood work it showed she had renal failure. We had been monitoring her very closely and in the last month, it was obvious that time was short. She was eating less and less and sleeping most of the time in her hammock with her babies. Last Wednesday morning when I checked on her, she opened her eyes and told me it was time.
We helped her cross over to her next journey even though we wished we could have had more time. We are grateful to our friends at The Wildcat Sanctuary for allowing us to care for this very special girl and things just won’t be the same without her. Safe travels little Sheba, we hold you close to our hearts, always.

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Bobcats, Memorials
04
Jan
2018
Simba Bobcat (2018)

Simba Bobcat (2018)

Safe travels, Simba – January 30 2018

Simba

I was hoping against hope that we would get through the rest of 2018 without any more losses but sadly on Nov 6th, we helped Simba move onto his next journey. He had declined dramatically just over the past week, and we knew it was time. Simba came to WCR in August of 2006 when he was eight years old. Purchased as a kitten from a Montana fur farm his owner thought having a bobcat would be great. As Simba grew out of his cute kitten stage and his owners started having children he was banned to their garage where he lived for the next seven years. His owner found us on the web and contacted us many times to take Simba and we finally agreed even though we had no room. A new enclosure had to be built for him but seeing how much he enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine, we knew it was the right thing to do. During his time at the Sanctuary, he lived together with Cleo, Bobby and Bailey Rae. Moving to Scotts Mills we were able to break up the foursome into two pens, with Simba and Bailey Rae together.

Despite being declawed on all four feet, Simba reminded us every day over the next twelve years that although captive bred and born, he was certainly no pet and remained our most aggressive bobcat until the end. But he lived comfortably with Bailey Rae and they were rarely apart. While we all feel the loss of Simba, there is no doubt Bailey Rae will be the most impacted. Having lived with a companion the entire time she’s been with us, we worry about her and hope that as time goes on she will adapt to being alone. Over the past year, we have lost four bobcats who each left behind a companion. Not only is losing them heartbreaking but knowing their companions will live the rest of their lives alone is the most heartbreaking of all 😔 Safe travels Simba, we will miss your ferocious attitude and growls but know you’re finally free for the first time . . .

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Bobcats, Memorials
01
Dec
2017
Tashi Bobcat (2021)

Tashi Bobcat (2021)

Safe travels Tashi, we were honored to love and care for you …

It seems never-ending, but with many of our residents older, losing them is inevitable. However, it doesn’t make the loss any less painful. Last week we had to say goodbye to Tashi 💔

Tashi came to us in 2003 after living in a crate in a basement the entire three years of her life. Originally from a fur farm, the owner purchased her to use for breeding to try to create bobcat hybrids. She was anemic from fleas, had an upper respiratory infection, and was underweight. But the saddest thing about Tashi is when she arrived at WCR is she moved as if she was still in that tiny crate she had lived in. It was months before she actually broke that pattern 💔

Thankfully with a proper diet and lots of room to roam she settled in and enjoyed her life. In her later years, she shared her space with little Isis another bobcat, and they adored each other. When we lost Isis over a month ago, Tashi changed. She mourned for her friend and the keepers did all they could to help her. They sat with her so she would eat and watched her closely but she continued to go downhill. A trip to see Dr. Connolly showed Tashi was in advanced renal failure and there was nothing we could do but to let her go peacefully 😔

The bond that the wildcats create with each other is so strong and it feels like Tashi gave up after losing Isis. In my heart of hearts, I’d like to believe that she’s found Isis and they are cuddling in a beautiful meadow without a care in the world. Safe travels Tashi, we were honored to love and care for you . . .

Posted by Stefanie Kraus in Bobcats, Memorials
24
Oct
2010

Rumi – Former Resident

Rumi

Since 2024, Rumi has been living happily at PAWS (Performance Animal Welfare Society) in California.

Despite submitting paperwork to ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) , subsequent review revealed that, despite being deemed unreleasable, Rumi was classified as wild-caught and needed a home outside of Oregon. We reached out to PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) a sanctuary in California accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Tiffany and Natasha spent a day there, getting to know the keepers and sharing details about Rumi’s personality and care.
We are so grateful to PAWS for stepping in and providing Rumi with a new forever home. She is in wonderful hands, and we will continue following her journey from afar.

Rumi’s history: Rumi came to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary in December 2020 after her owner realized she was not a good educational program cat. She was just under a year old. Rumi is a petite little bobcat with a very fierce attitude which we are very respectful of.  She lives with another older bobcat Rufina. Rumi does NOT like people and lets the keepers know every day that the only thing they’re good for is food! Even though Rufina is older they are the perfect companions for each other. Rufina is the boss but Rumi loves her and follows, waiting for her chance to jump on her to play! Rumi’s favorite spot is up high in her tree where we can’t see her but she can watch everything that goes on.

24
Oct
2010

Rufina – Former Resident

Rufina

Since 2024, Rufina lives at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, AZ.

Despite submitting paperwork to ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) prior to Rufina’s relocation from New York, subsequent review revealed that, despite being deemed unreleasable, Rufina was classified as wild-caught. Consequently, ODFW mandated her placement at a facility outside of Oregon. Through our extensive network of rescues, we successfully facilitated Rufina’s transfer to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, AZ. Having collaborated with them previously, we are grateful that Rufina now resides in a wonderful new home with them. While the necessity of her relocation saddens us, the circumstances were beyond our control.
We are so grateful to Southwest Wildlife Conservation for stepping in and providing a wonderful forever home to Rufina. She is in wonderful hands, and we will continue following her journey from afar.

Rufina’s history:
When we learned that a facility in New York was closing and needed to place a bobcat we reached out. It’s never easy to get a wildcat from one side of the country to the other but with some good planning and effort, Rufina arrived at WildCat Ridge in October of 2021. She was twelve years old and in great shape. Rufina is a typical bobcat, she’s brave and bold, always ready to put the keepers in their place! Her favorite enrichment items are simple cardboard boxes sprayed with smelly scents that she rolls in and drools all over.