In early August of 2023, our friends at Bengal Rescue contacted us about an F1 Bengal who needed placement as soon as possible. His original owner had no idea what she had gotten into. He couldn’t be contained, was escaping, causing havoc, and she just wanted him gone!  Silver Whiskers Feline Rescue stepped up to take him so he wouldn’t be dumped, but didn’t know he was an early-generation cat.  They worked constantly with him, but after time, sadly, realized that Loki needed more than they could give him.  They understood he’d be happiest living a wilder life and knew WildCat Ridge could provide that. We’re grateful they made all the necessary arrangements and covered the costs to bring him to us. 

Loki currently lives in our newest area along with some other hybrid and domestic cats.  He was originally very thin and has a BB pellet in his front leg from being shot at while on the run. But these days he’s gained weight and doing great! Loki is just over two years old and, in our view, a typical early-generation Bengal. Very vocal, active, and looking for adventure.

Many thanks to Bengal Rescue and Silver Whiskers Feline Rescue for saving him. It takes a village, and keeping up is becoming impossible with the overwhelming number of Bengals flooding rescues. Welcome to your new home, Loki 🙂

Like many people who purchase Early Generation Bengals (a cross between an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic), MiLA’s owner was told that these hybrids make excellent pets and can live “just like any house cat.” But after three years of MiLA peeing in their home and still completely unsocial, her owner tried to contact the breeder and was, of course, blocked. So arrangements were made, and MiLA arrived at WildCat Ridge in August.

We rarely take in a cat that has been cared for as well as MiLA, and we are grateful that her owner made the ultimate sacrifice to choose MiLA’s well-being over her own. She is living in our newest hybrid area, SC4 and has other hybrid and domestic cats she lives with. With a spacious outside and inside area it’s the perfect life for this gorgeous girl.

From MiLA’s former guardian: “As a very naive and new cat owner I decided to give my cat Xephyr a sister, MiLA, an F1 bengal (hybrid cat). With excitement and love, I welcomed her into her new home. Days after my struggle to care for MiLA began, she started to mark her territory by peeing and sometimes even pooping inside the house, and hissing and spraying if anyone came near her. She would crawl around the house hiding as if I was a predator. I immediately contacted the breeder who assured me this was her needing time to adjust.

After a couple of weeks she told me it was my fault and blocked me. I was frustrated and way over my head. I contacted other breeders and read articles on how to handle a cat I couldn’t touch or get near. I tried everything, including giving her her own room inside/outside, new beds, new litter, retraining her on a litter box, not approaching her at all, sleeping in the room with her so she would become more accustomed to being with me. I would have tried anything. I didn’t want to give up on her, I love her and ultimately it was my responsibility to care for her.

I was always hopeful that one day she would be like the other cats, but after three years of this, I finally understood there was nothing else I could do and with much sadness I decided to surrender my cat to the WildCat Ridge Sanctuary which is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It bothers me every day and I miss her dearly, but I knew this was the right thing to do for MiLA.

I now know a hybrid cat is not a pet and I make sure people know and understand this. Yes, they are beautiful, but they don’t belong in a house, and they need extra and specialized care no one will tell you about because they want your money. Do not buy cats, instead, adopt and make a difference.”

Mowgli is a Bengal cat and an incredibly sweet boy. He loves attention from the keepers, asks for pets, and loves to ride on their shoulders! Being a hybrid cat, using a litter box is just not in his genes. So, poor Mowgli was returned to rescue three times for not using a litter box. His last home had him in diapers. When we were contacted we scrambled to find room. Having access to a huge outside enclosure where he can spray wherever he wants, Mowgli now lives a happy life.

Katerina, is an F1 Bengal hybrid born in April of 2021. Her owner reached out to us and asked if we could give her a lifetime home. Purchased as a kitten she had never settled into living in a house. She loves other cats but people, not at all. As an intact female, her owner could have easily sold her for up to $10,000 but instead chose to have her come to the Sanctuary. We had her spayed and she now lives a happy, wild life with other hybrid and domestic cats.

Lucy is a Savannah cat from Canada who had been used for breeding. She was born in 2015 and had been declawed. Our good friend Kelly Brook Allen in Merritt, BC was able to get her out of her previous situation, get her spayed and cared for her until she was able to drive her down to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. Lucy is settling in and while she is still cautious of her caretakers she is getting much braver. Welcome to your New Beginning Lucy!

Penny (F1) and Bella (F2) Savannah cats grew up together and lived in California with their owner. They were both 8 years old when they came to us in December of 2020. Their owner had taken wonderful care of them but as often happens his lifestyle changed and he reached out to find a good home for them both.
Bella is much smaller than Penny at about 10 lbs. She is the opposite of Penny, very shy and likes to take things slow. But she has made some good friends with the other cats and is doing great! We love being able to provide a lifetime home for these beautiful girls.

Penny (F1) and Bella (F2) Savannah cats grew up together and lived in California with their owner. They were both 8 years old when they came to us in December of 2020. Their owner had taken wonderful care of them but as often happens his lifestyle changed and he reached out to find a good home for them both.
Penny is a big girl and weighs about 18 lbs. She loves attention but on her own terms. She is very smart and loves to talk and tell you all about her day! She has settled in nicely with the rest of the cats and we are happy to be able to give both her and Bella a lifetime home.

Pearl is a Bengal that was pulled from a hoarding situation in Eugene Oregon in 2019 where the breeder had over 80 Bengals in her home confiscated. We don’t support any kind of breeding and  encourage everyone to ‘adopt don’t shop.’ Pearl will be able to adjust to her new home here at her own pace and maybe with the support of the other cats, she’ll learn to relax and start to enjoy life. Her previous situation will color everything that happens moving forward. Welcome to your lifetime home beautiful girl ❤️

Update:
We are thrilled to report that Pearl is doing great, and we know she will continue to thrive at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. ❤️  Pearl is very vocal and she likes to hang out with Little Leo. ❤️