Savannah Cats

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
Lithuanian Liberation – International Rescue Update #1

Lithuanian Liberation – International Rescue Update #1

Lithuanian Liberation

In March 2024, WildCat Ridge was contacted by a representative from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Wildlife Rescue Centre (LUHSWRC) regarding three Savannah cats. These cats had been confiscated from an individual involved in the illegal breeding of servals, hybrids, and domestic cats. After a lengthy two-year legal battle, the cats were finally seized in 2023 and temporarily housed in a local shelter before being moved to LUHSWRC.

Due to strict regulations in Lithuania and across many European Union countries, where it is illegal to keep wild cats as pets and F1-F4 hybrid cats are classified as wild animals, LUHSWRC was left with three difficult choices for the confiscated Savannah cats:

1. Utilize the cats for scientific purposes

2. Euthanize them

3. Transfer them to a suitable facility for long-term care

The rescue centre quickly dismissed options one and two and began their search for a new home for the hybrids. Unfortunately, no sanctuary or rescue facility in Europe was able to accommodate them, prompting LUHSWRC to broaden their search to the United States. 

When they contacted WildCat Ridge, we were thrilled to offer these special cats a forever home in Oregon. After months of navigating logistics and securing permits, the cats are now ready to leave Lithuania and embark on their long journey to the U.S.

Stay tuned over the next week as we introduce you to this incredible trio and provide updates on their progress to their new home.

Posted by Natasha Nemyre in Blog