Education

Fragile Grace: Understanding Metabolic Bone Disease in Captive Wild Cats

Fragile Grace: Understanding Metabolic Bone Disease in Captive Wild Cats

Ask someone to describe their favorite wild cat and they’ll usually use words like, “strong”, “agile”, “elusive”, and “graceful”. Wild cats are renowned for their ability to stalk silently over leaf-strewn jungle floors, snow-covered cliffs, treetop branches, and shifting sands.

In their natural habitats, wild cats rely on their physical strength and flexibility to become stealthy and successful hunters. Life in captivity, however, can present unique health challenges that are rare or altogether absent in the wild. One significant concern is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a condition that compromises an animal’s bone health and overall well-being. For a cat, this means losing the ability to move with their distinctive feline grace, condemning them instead to a life of broken bones, debilitating arthritis, and excruciating pain. 

What is Metabolic Bone Disease and why is it so common in captive wild cats?

Metabolic Bone Disease is an umbrella term for a range of disorders that weaken bones due to imbalances in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. In wild cats, this can lead to brittle bones, deformities, and an increased risk of fractures. MBD is most commonly seen in young, growing animals, but it can also affect adults if their diet and environment do not meet their specific needs.

In captive wild cats, MBD is nearly always a direct result of improper care. Wild cats, especially big cats, are expensive to feed properly. As a result, wild cats exhibited in roadside zoos, where profit is valued over animal welfare, are often fed inexpensive ground meat which is far from a complete and balanced diet. Usually, no supplementation is provided, leaving the animals to suffer from a myriad of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including calcium.

We regularly encounter MBD in the wild cats that are surrendered by or rescued from private owners who were unable to meet their cat’s complex needs. Whether due to ignorance or outright neglect, the cat is the one who pays the price, and payment can last a lifetime. This is one of many reasons that WildCat Ridge does not support the exhibition or private ownership of wild cats.

Misha X-Ray Metabolic Bone Disease Serval WildCat Ridge Sanctuary

Serval Misha’s forelimbs after having pins placed due to multiple fractures stemming from Metabolic Bone Disease

Causes of MBD in captive wild cats

  • Nutritional deficiencies and improper diet:
    • Calcium imbalance: A diet lacking adequate calcium or containing excessive phosphorus disrupts bone mineralization. Feeding a cat a diet consisting of predominately boneless or ground meat can cause a deficiency in calcium which leads to the thinning of bones as calcium is leached out to maintain proper blood calcium levels.
    • Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption. Cats kept in indoor enclosures with limited sun exposure or cats fed unbalanced diets may not produce enough vitamin D. 
  • Lack of physical activity:
    • Insufficient exercise in captivity weakens bones and muscles, increasing the risk of MBD.

Symptoms of MBD

Early detection of MBD is crucial. Symptoms to watch for include:

  • Difficulty walking or reluctance to move
  • Lameness or stiffness
  • Swollen joints or limbs
  • Bone deformities
  • Pain or sensitivity when touched
  • Fractures that occur with minimal trauma

Prevention strategies

In order to prevent MBD in our wild cats at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary, we feed a balanced diet specific to each of our residents. We provide diets that closely mimic the nutritional profile of prey in the wild, including calcium-rich components like bones. 

All of our cats have enclosed outdoor areas giving them access to natural sunlight in addition to dietary supplementation with Vitamin D to ensure proper calcium absorption. 

Enrichment is an integral part of keeping captive wild cats happy and healthy. We encourage natural behaviors like climbing, pouncing, and running to promote bone strength.

Prevention is key for many health concerns including MBD and our cats undergo regular health monitoring and routine veterinary check-ups.

MBD at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary

Cricket Metabolic Bone Disease WildCat Ridge Sanctuary

Serval Cricket lost a front leg from the ravages of Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic Bone Disease is a preventable and manageable condition that highlights the importance of providing wild cats with optimal care in captivity. By prioritizing proper nutrition, environmental enrichment, and regular health assessments, we can help these incredible animals thrive, even outside their natural habitats. At our sanctuary, we are committed to the holistic well-being of every resident.

Sadly, we have rescued many cats over the years that have suffered from MBD. This illustrates just how important intake exams and exemplary veterinary care are for our sanctuary cats. Current residents who came to us with MBD include tiger brothers Calvin and Hobbes, both of whom are showing significant signs of early onset arthritis. Kane, Cricket, and Misha, are all servals who also presented with MBD upon intake. Make sure to check out each of their compelling rescue stories! 

To learn more about our sanctuary’s work, explore our resources or follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. Together, we can continue to give these amazing cats the lives they deserve.

Posted by Natasha Nemyre in Blog, Education

Nala – The heartbreaking story of a pet serval

Nala - The heartbreaking story of a 'pet' serval

Nala Serval Instagram In early February of 2023, the owner of a serval in Canada passed away. A friend of the owner contacted us to see if we could give the cat a home. We said yes and excitedly prepared for her arrival while all the import paperwork was being done. We learned that this little serval was even an
Instagram star with her own account and followers! The videos were supposed to show what a great “pet” she was. When we watched the videos, we saw something very different – and very heartbreaking.

We’re sharing Nala’s story so we can show everyone the hard truth about keeping servals – or any wildcats – as “pets.” We are adamant that all breeding and selling of wildcats as “pets” must stop now.

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Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Blog, Education

A Visit to West Coast Game Park Safari

Visiting West Coast Game Park

An Investigative Report by Tiffany Lopez, WCR Operations manager

This past weekend Chris and I had the opportunity to drive down to Bandon, OR and go to West Coast Game Park Safari. Not to enjoy a good time or vacation but to get some important information and footage of the parks now illegal activities of exploiting big cats. Now that the Big Cat Public Safety act has passed, it is now illegal for exhibitors to allow direct contact with cubs. West Coast Game Park has continued to allow the public to interact and ‘pet and play‘ with big cat cubs along with other species at the park, so we decided to see for ourselves. 

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Posted by Tiffany Lopez in Blog, Education

Estate Planning and Charitable Giving

Estate Planning and Charitable Giving

Nearly 70% of Americans do not have an up to date will or living trust, with procrastination being one of the main reasons. Without an estate plan, any assets you owned without a beneficiary designation will be distributed according to your state’s intestacy laws, typically through a court-supervised probate proceeding and the distributions may not be the ones you would have chosen. Further, no state distribution law provides for gifts to friends or charities or makes provisions for your pets. How an Estate Is Settled If There's No Will: Intestate Succession 

You may have numerous charities that you believe in strongly and you may have supported these organizations throughout your lifetime. Making a gift provision to one or more charitable organizations in your estate can be a natural extension of that support and can have a lasting impact on the causes you care most about.

Elements of an Estate Plan

Estate plans take several forms. The key essentials are described below:

Will. A will is a set of instructions to be followed by the estate’s executor, the person responsible for administering your estate. A will sets out your wishes for distributing your property after you die and who will care for your minor children. The individuals or organizations who will receive your assets under the terms of the will are your “beneficiaries." A valid will is generally typed, dated, and signed by you as well as two legally competent witnesses.

Under a will, the assets must still go through your state’s probate court before they can be distributed to your intended beneficiaries. The process varies greatly from state to state, but it can take anywhere from a few months to two years or longer.

Revocable Living Trust. This legal document can be used instead of a will as the main vehicle to distribute your assets. The primary advantage of a trust is that it avoids probate. The trust is created while you are living, most often people serve as their own trustee, and the power to change and even revoke it can be retained. The living trust becomes irrevocable upon your death.

A living trust requires that you actually transfer your property into it for it to be effective. As with a will, you can make gifts to favorite charities in your revocable living trust. These gifts will in most cases be distributed to the charities you name after your passing.

If you decide upon a revocable living trust, you should still have what is called a “pour-over” will. It catches any property that was, intentionally or inadvertently, left out of the trust during your life and is not transferred in another way. While this property will still need to go through probate, it will eventually be distributed according to your trust instructions instead of being distributed under state law provisions.

Beneficiary Designations. These are the forms you fill out when you do things like open a bank or stock brokerage account, establish an IRA or other type of retirement plan, purchase a commercial annuity or life insurance policy, that designate who will receive whatever remains upon your passing (or the death benefit in the case of life insurance). You can name charities in beneficiary designations to receive all or a portion of the account upon your passing.

Which type of estate plan is right will be different for each person. The following guide may make it easier to decide which type of estate plan is right for you  What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust

Leaving a Legacy for WildCat Ridge Sanctuary

A bequest, also called a “legacy gift”, is a gift made through your will or living trust. You can leave a specified amount of money, a particular piece of property, or all or a portion of the ‘residual’ of your estate (what remains after your final expenses, debts, and specific gifts are paid). Making a legacy gift to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary is a wonderful way to leave a legacy and continue a lifetime of support for an institution that has meant so much to you.

You can provide a future gift to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. WildCat Ridge Sanctuary will receive your gift upon your passing based on the specifications included in the provision.

If you wish to leave a bequest to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary, the process is relatively simple. Be sure that our correct legal name appears in all final documents as:

“I give to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary, having a principal place of business at PO Box 280 Scotts Mills, OR 97375 USA, Federal tax identification 93-1320051, ____ percent of my residuary estate (or $_____, or other property) to be used or disposed of in its sole discretion as it deems appropriate.”

Types of Bequests

Specific Bequest: WildCat Ridge Sanctuary receives a specific dollar amount, a specific piece of property or a stated percentage of the estate. This is one of the most popular forms of bequests.

Residuary Bequest: WildCat Ridge Sanctuary receives all or a stated percentage of an estate after distribution of specific bequests and payment of debts, taxes and expenses.

Contingent Bequest: WildCat Ridge Sanctuary receives all or part of the estate under certain specified circumstances, such as the death of another beneficiary.

Beneficiary Designation Gift

Just as you designate individuals to receive certain assets directly as your named beneficiary, you can name WildCat Ridge to receive part of the asset. This is most commonly used with IRAs and other retirement plan assets and life insurance policies, but it can also work with assets such as checking and savings accounts, brokerage accounts, and commercial annuities.

Beneficiary designations have the advantage of being flexible (give as little or as much as you like), revocable (generally they can be changed at any time), and perhaps most importantly, they leave the assets under your control should you need them during your lifetime.

Bequests and beneficiary designation gifts are fully deductible from your estate and there is no limit as to how much can be deducted.

Summary

Regardless of the size of your estate, you want to ensure that what you own will go to those people and organizations you care for and love. Your estate documents become a last expression of what you have valued in your life, expressed through a personal statement and by what you leave to whom. By being thoughtful and organized about your affairs, you will have left a final, loving gift to your family and organizations you care about.

Posted by Brent Welling in Blog