Hybrids

Lithuanian Liberation – International Rescue Update #3

Lithuanian Liberation – International Rescue Update #3

New Arrivals: Lithuanian Savannah Cats Find Sanctuary in Oregon

A Journey Across Continents

Yesterday evening WildCat Ridge Sanctuary welcomed three very special new residents. Avataras, Bondas, and Bagira – our Lithuanian savannah cats – finally touched down on American soil after a long and tiring journey.

Avataras, F1 Male

Meet Our New Feline Friends

  1. Avataras: This handsome boy is an F2 savannah, meaning he’s a first-generation hybrid between a serval and a domestic cat. With his striking spotted coat and tall, elegant frame, Avataras is sure to turn heads

    Bondas, F4 Male

  2. Bondas: An F4 male, Bondas is a fourth-generation savannah. While he may have a bit more domestic cat in his lineage, don’t let that fool you – he’s every bit as wild at heart as his F1 counterparts.
  3. Bagira: Another F2 savannah, this little female appears to be the most outgoing of our new trio.

The Journey Home

As their transport boxes were carefully unloaded, we could sense the cats’ eagerness to stretch their legs after their transcontinental trip. The soft mews and occasional chirps (a unique vocalization of savannah cats) told us they were more than ready to explore their new surroundings.

Settling In: The Quarantine Period

For the next 30 days, Avataras, Bondas, and Bagira will reside in our quarantine facilities. This crucial period allows us to:

  • Closely monitor their health
  • Ensure they’re eating well and adjusting to their new diet
  • Give them time to acclimate to the sights, sounds, and smells of the sanctuary
  • Conduct any necessary medical check-ups or treatments

    Bagira, F1 Female

We’re happy to report that all three cats have already shown healthy appetites, which is an excellent sign of their adjustment. Their curious nature is also evident as they cautiously but eagerly investigate every corner of their temporary homes.

Looking Ahead: New Friends and Forever Home

Once their quarantine period is complete, our Lithuanian trio will transition to a specially designed enclosure within the sanctuary. Here, they’ll have the opportunity to meet some of our other resident cats. Savannah cats are known for their social nature, so we’re excited to see the friendships that may develop.

The Importance of Sanctuary

The arrival of Avataras, Bondas, and Bagira highlights the ongoing need for sanctuaries like ours. While savannah cats are legal pets in many areas, their wild instincts and specific care requirements often lead to them being surrendered or abandoned. At WildCat Ridge Sanctuary, we’re committed to providing these magnificent creatures with the specialized care and enrichment they need to thrive.

How You Can Help

We’re thrilled to provide a forever home for Avataras, Bondas, and Bagira, but we can’t do it without your support. Here’s how you can help:

  • Consider being the first to sponsor one of our new arrivals
  • Donate to help cover the costs of their care
  • Share this story to raise awareness about the challenges faced by hybrid wild cats

Stay tuned for more updates on our Lithuanian savannah cats as they settle into their new lives here at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. We can’t wait to share their journey with you!

WildCat Ridge Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe haven for abandoned, abused, and retired exotic cats. We believe that education is key to ending the exotic pet trade and are committed to sharing the stories of our residents to promote conservation and responsible animal care.

Posted by Natasha Nemyre in Blog, Hybrids
Lithuanian Liberation – International Rescue Update #2

Lithuanian Liberation – International Rescue Update #2

Healthy, Happy, and Ready for a New Home

All three rescued savannah cats have passed their health exams! They are all in excellent health, good body condition, and up to date on vaccines. All three are ten years old. The group consists of two males, an F2 and F4, and one female, an F2.

For those unfamiliar, hybrid cats are defined by their generation. For example, an F1 is a first-generation hybrid, with one wild serval parent and one domestic cat parent. An F2 is the result of breeding an F1 with a domestic cat. The higher the number following the “F”, the further the hybrid is from its wild ancestor. In Lithuania, F1-F4 hybrids are still considered wild cats and it is illegal to keep them in captivity unless for scientific purposes.

Initially WildCat Ridge was set to take the F2 male and female. However, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Wildlife Rescue Centre (LUHSWRC) reached out again, asking if we could also take the F4 male since he and the F2 male are a bonded pair. Of course, we did not hesitate to say yes. We know how important companionship is for cats who have endured traumatic experiences, and we are happy to be able to keep this bonded pair together.

As the cats prepare to make their journey to their forever home in Oregon, we’re planning some upgrades to the enclosure they’ll move into after their initial quarantine. You can help make their new space extra special by visiting our Amazon Wishlist! Whether it’s tools for building play structures, supplements to keep them healthy, or scents for enrichment, every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for your support!

Stay tuned for more updates!

If you missed our first update, you can find it here.

 

Posted by Natasha Nemyre in Blog, Hybrids

Avataras

Avataras (10 year old male F2 savannah)

Stay tuned for updates on how Avataras is settling in to his new home. We are looking forward to getting to know him and will add pictures and videos as soon as we can.

Adopt Avataras

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Avataras

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

Bondas

Bondas (10 year old male F4 savannah)

Stay tuned for updates on how Bondas is settling in to his new home. We are looking forward to getting to know him and will add pictures and videos as soon as we can.

Adopt Bondas

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Bondas

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

Bagira

Bagira (10 year old female F2 savannah)

Stay tuned for updates on how Bagira is settling in to her new home. We are looking forward to getting to know her and will add pictures and videos as soon as we can.

Adopt Bagira

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Bagira

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

Niklaus

Niklaus

Niklaus, a handsome Bengal cat comes to us from CA. He is a very sweet boy but has inappropriate urination issues. His owners loved him very much, but because of their work travel, they couldn’t provide the life they wanted for him. So they asked if we could take him and give him a lifetime home. Niklaus now lives in SC3 with other hybrid and domestic cats. The change has been hard on him, but he’s doing so much better and seems to be settling in very well.  Niklaus is just one of the many hybrid cats that are bought and sold to be ‘pets’ and they aren’t. Please read the following from Nik’s previous owner:

‘Niklaus is the sweetest boy that never belonged in a house. It was just not possible to provide everything he needed in a home. His anxieties due to past traumas lead him to be terrified of anyone and anything new, resulting in inappropriate urination and starving himself regularly.  We were so blessed that Niklaus was able to find a home at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary, where they understand his needs and are able to provide a loving home for him, amongst other cats. While some may think he would be better off as a house pet due to his nonaggressive personality, we know we made the right decision for him. You cannot breed the “wild” out of a wild cat, and now he will get the chance to live as he was meant to. I love watching his new journey where he will be safe for the rest of his life.’

Adopt Niklaus

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Niklaus

With your $500 sponsorship fee you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

Loki

Loki

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 🙂

Adopt Loki

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Loki

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

MiLA

MiLA

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.”

Adopt MiLA

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor MiLA

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

Mowgli

Mowgli

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.

Adopt Mowgli

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Mowgli

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00

Katerina

Katerina

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.

Adopt Katerina

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Katerina

With your $500 sponsorship fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).
$ 50.00
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Donation Total: $50.00