The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary has taken in two exotic cats with brittle bones due to malnutrition that were in need of medical attention.
Merlin and Nimueh are Serval wild cats that are native to Africa. A local woman had purchased them from a breeder.
Merlin broke three legs after a jump. The cats were also in need of proper nutrition.
“She did everything right,” said Catty Shack Founder Curt LoGiudice about the woman who had purchased them. “She got [an exotic animal] license. She was told they had been handheld since birth - but obviously they weren’t. Her heart was in the right place. But I always warn people, wild animal husbandry is a big undertaking. Many people aren’t prepared for it.”
Nimueh is being kept in a large air-conditioned enclosure until her bones get stronger from a carnivore diet and medications to boost calcium. Merlin is recovering from surgery in Catty Shack’s medical trailer.
Surgery costs totaling more than $10,000 are being covered by donations and admission fees to the park.
Since Catty Shack is run primarily by volunteers it has limited hours. It will be open during the following time periods over the Fourth of July Holiday weekend:
- NIGHT FEEDING - Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 6:00pm
- DAY TOUR - Thursday, July 4, 2019 at 1:00pm
- NIGHT FEEDING - Friday, July 5, 2019 at 6:00pm
- NIGHT FEEDING - Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 6:00pm
- DAY TOUR - Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 1:00pm
Admission ranges from $5 - $15, and includes a guided tour. Additional information is available on Catty Shack’s website.
Those interested in following the cats' progress can follow Catty Shack's Facebook page.
