The Wildcat Sanctuary leads rescue of 24 exotic cats

According to the Wildcat Sanctuary, dozens of exotic cats were saved from a home in Texas after authorities say they were found living in deplorable conditions.

The Wildcat Sanctuary organized the rescue of 24 Asian leopard cats, including 3 kittens and one with a leg amputation. 

Authorities said the owner of the cats recently passed away and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) contacted the Sanctuary to see if its staff could help.

Tammy Thies, founder of The Wildcat Sanctuary said, “Rescues like this are becoming all too common. Breeding and purchasing of Asian leopard cats and other wild cats is fueled by social media since they have an exotic look.  Breeding is very lucrative with cats costing $5,000 and more.”

“Their stunning beauty has caused overbreeding and impulse purchases. But too often they end up cast aside due to unwanted behaviors. We are one of the few sanctuaries in the country that can specialize in these magnificent cats.”

Sanctuary staff flew to the Houston SPCA to care for the 24 leopard cats and their executive director then organized the transfer of all the wildcats to sanctuaries stretching from Oregon to North Carolina.

The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone will be housing eight of the cats cats at our sanctuary.

“Our sanctuary is at capacity. Stricter laws and education are desperately needed to end the small cat trade,” Thies said.

The sanctuary invites the public to help support this rescue by donating at WildcatSanctuary.org.  The public can watch the cats at the sanctuary through live posts and videos on the The Wildcat Sanctuary’s Facebook and Instagram pages.