Four servals and two caracals, aged between 2-6 months old, were seized from a Buffalo apartment by New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials with the support of World Animal Protection (WAP) earlier this month. During the seizure, a three-year-old savannah — a hybrid between an exotic and domestic cat — was also confiscated.
All the exotic kittens were suffering from malnutrition and one of the male servals was in such bad shape that he needed emergency fluids to save his life. The older savannah cat had been declawed – a cruel practice that can cause long-term physical problems. The individual keeping these traumatized kittens was allegedly planning to sell them on the illegal wildlife trafficking market.
All of the cats are now at two sanctuaries in the United States, where they will stay for the rest of their lives.
“World Animal Protection was glad we could do this emergency rescue to bring attention to the plight of exotic pets and their mistreatment in the U.S,” said Alesia Soltanpanah, executive director of World Animal Protection U.S. “These cats were suffering from severe malnutrition and near death due to the ignorance of the person that was holding them, allegedly intending to profit from their sale.”
The rescue operation was meticulously planned, with WAP providing veterinary care and assisting officials to find placement for the animals in quality sanctuaries – Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas and Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary in Nevada.
Servals are a small cat native to Africa that lead a solitary life, hunting mostly in the evening or early morning. The caracal is a medium-sized wild cat found in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and India.
“These young wild cats are prolific hunters and can jump up to 20 feet in the air. Removing them from their natural environment and subjecting them to a life as a domestic pet is cruel and dangerous. Their size and natural instincts create a hazardous situation for those who encounter them, especially small animals and children,” said Soltanpanah.
Although the possession or sale of exotic animals is illegal in New York, in some US states it is sadly still legal. The trade in exotic animals for pets alone is a major industry, with millions of animals poached every year.
“World Animal Protection believes that wild animals belong in the wild as this is the only place they can lead full lives free from the deprivation and suffering inherent with captivity as a pet,” said WAP in a press release. “A life as an exotic pet limits a wild animal’s natural behavior and places both their physiological and psychological well-being at risk. They are often deprived of adequate shelter, food, room to roam and proper regulation of their body temperature.”
What’s New…
ABSOLUTLY WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL ! ! ! ! ! !
Thank you for rescuing these animals.
So glad it hear this!
Thank goodness these beautiful cats were saved.
These animal traffickers & abusers must be caught, heavily fined & jailed forever!
I’m glad these animals were rescued before they were sold on the illegal wildlife trafficking market. These people need to serve a significant time in prison.
These ingrates dont deserve to live
First, I hope and pray that all the animals recover and live a good life in a sanctuary. SECOND, I HOPE THE CREEP WHO HAD THEM ILLEGALLY AND THEN WERE TOO STUPID TO READ UP ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEM PROPERLY IS SEVERELY PUNISHED!. PUT THEM UNDER THE JAIL, BAN THEM FROM EVER HAVING ANY ANIMALS, FINE THEM A HUGE AMOUNT PLUS THE CARE OF THESE ANIMALS IN THEIR NEW HOMES AND TO GET THEM WELL AFTER THEY DIDN’T TAKE CARE OF THEM.
This makes me sick and mad as hell. WE MUST TAKE A STAND TO STOP THIS BY PASSING EXTREME AND SEVERE LAWS AND THEN MAKE SURE THEY ENFORCED!!
PUT THIS MORON IN JAIL!!!
WOOO HOOO!
NOW CHARGE THE HELL OUT OF THIS PERSON AND JAIL HIM FOR YEARS. LOCKED IN
A SMALL CELL!
JUST KILL THE AHOLES AND GET ON WITH THE NEXT AHOLE WHO DON’T DESERVE TO LIVE. THEY HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR RIGHT TO LIVE
America is so bloody backward!
Bestiality is still common in some states, selling exotic animals in some states, and so much cruelty to animals in fact most of the petitions I’m signing each day are for animal abuse in the US…. what is going on there?
Is it the crappy diet and excessive meat.dairy consumption or are most Americans Trumps?
People are pure EVIL FREAK’S
YES evil.
I am so glad they will live in big sanctuary- and that they were resuced. Hope they enjoy their lives there.
Thank goodness these cats got rescue. We need to continue rescue efforts until there isn’t a need which sadly won’t be seen in my lifetime
Wonderful rescue but you didn’t tell us what happened with the criminal who had them ready to sell.. I hope the punishment was severe. Slaps on wrists do nothing.
I’ll bet you money he got a “slap on the hand”……
Tragic. Also, Savannahs are a DOMESTIC breed. Why the heck is the Savannah being sent to a sanctuary? Should go to Savannah Cat Rescue! This angers me to no end! I’m sick of seeing Savannah, after Savannah being sent to ‘wild cat sanctuaries’, when they can be sent to loving homes.
I believe that due to the nature in which they found these stolen exotic animals, neglected and abused, this is why all the stolen animals where sent to the sanctuary. Also, they have recovered the animals to health and will not adopt out these animals. The case is still under investigation, arrest must be made and connections turned over to the department behind the FBI. Animal cruelty should NEVER be tolerated and the person of interest should be persecuted under the law’s that govern their well being and the law’s of the land. I appreciate the dedicated and devoted work that WAP and its department affiliates have done to save these beautiful animals from harm..
So, would you send a Persian, Siamese, Main Coon, etc. to a wild cat sanctuary? The Savannah is a TICA recognized breed, just like any other breed you’d find in a cat show. I agree animal abuse should never be tolerated. I’m upset that a domestic cat is being treated like a wild animal. (I have a Savannah cat.)
Andrea:
You are questioning the WAP about what they know to be true. This certain cat that you question has to be a first generation,African Serval with little to no other mixture. When they state Exotic it is no lie, because the cat that you question is classified as an exotic feline. This is a simple explanation to your question concerning the exotic feline that was rescued from harm and danger.
Savannah cats are somewhat confusing.
Yes, they are “considered” domestic cats, but so what? Thats a result of lobbying!
Some contain far more “wild” (serval usually) genes than others. Those with the higher percentage of “wild” genes are, no surprise, WILDER!
MANY of these types of Savannahs DO end up surrendered to sanctuaries, or put down……
SEE: https://bigcatrescue.org/savannah-cats-and-bengal-cats-make-bad-pets/ this article is BY the very people ( a cat sanctuary) that TAKE IN unwanted Savannahs and Bengals. ALL the time. READ IT with an open mind! Glad your Savannah is not so wild, so she can be a pet.
JUST because various cat fancy magazines etc promote these cats a “pets” doesn’t always make it true.
Thank you Mr. Jones.
Big Cat Rescue is a joke. They spread lies about the savannah. (They think they’ll try to pick a fight with a pit bull… or try to eat a child…are they serious?) Savannahs are a TICA recognized domestic house cat, regardless of percentage of Serval. Responsible breeders WILL take the cat back. Savannah cat rescue helps unwanted savannahs find proper homes. When it comes to higher percentage of ‘wild’ cat, they are careful to place them with experienced owners. There is also Bengal cat rescue. They do the same as Savannah cat rescue. (In this case, it appears these people bred the savannah themselves.. regardless, the savannah belongs in a home, not being treated like a wild animal.)
Mr. Jones: It highly depends… on the breed of the feline. WAP rescued several rare felines that where being neglected and abused. Furthermore, it is illegal to have as a pet or keep such a feline as they had rescued in this city. Remember, the felines where in danger, they where being harmed and they did rescue several rare felines. Nevertheless, the cats will be cared for, provided for and socialized and made to feel that they are in their natural habitant. WAP made the right move to save from harm, rare types of felines held against their will in unspeakable conditions.
ANDREA: Savannah cats are somewhat confusing.
Yes, they are “considered” domestic cats, but so what? Thats a result of lobbying!
Some contain far more “wild” (serval usually) genes than others. Those with the higher percentage of “wild” genes are, no surprise, WILDER!
Here is an ad from a Savannah breeder outlining the “types” of Savannahs she offers: note the F1, F2 etc which tells the knowledgeable how much or what percentage of Serval ( a wild cat, not tameable) is in each Savannah.
MANY of these types of Savannahs DO end up surrendered to sanctuaries, or put down……
SEE: https://bigcatrescue.org/savannah-cats-and-bengal-cats-make-bad-pets/ this article is BY the very people ( a cat sanctuary) that TAKE IN unwanted Savannahs and Bengals. ALL the time. READ IT with an open mind! Glad your Savannah is not so wild, so she can be a pet.
JUST because various cat fancy magazines etc promote these cats a “pets” doesn’t always make it true.
Big Cat Rescue spreads lies about the savannah. I own one, and she’s not dangerous. Just a little more hyper than your average cat. The people who dump their savannahs and bengals at wild cat sanctuaries are either unaware of savannah/bengal rescue, or is done to ‘punish’ someone. There is usually a contract with the breeder, that if the cat isn’t ‘wanted’ anymore, it is to be returned. Contracts have been violated in some or all of these savannahs now at bcr.
Thank you so much.
Thank you to WAP and the US Humane Society, for rescuing these rare cat’s from danger. Please WAP, keep up the Great work that you do. I am truly thankful for your organization for being the advocate to so many animals that are in danger………………Thank you WAP
Let me get this right, a woman that keeps a normally wild monkey for a pet, is criticizing the trade of wild animals for pets? The cats look quite healthy in the pictures. I think someone went overboard in their estimations. I have got to where I don’t trust vets too much, when I take a dog in for 4 stitches and they want to tell me all kinds of stuff and try to charge me $500
Dear Sir: The animals look healthy, because the photo reflects the after treatments that the veterinarian had prescribed. The person who stole these rare cats, should be punished and black-listed for the neglect and abuse of an animal.
As busy citizens of a country, we need organizations like WAP, to take control of dangerous situations such as the story above. Yes, it’s expensive to treat a pet under the care of a veterinarian, but so is it expensive to treat a human being. Try registering your pet with a good pet insurance company, where the expense is reachable to you. For an example; a surgery for an animal could cost thousands, but with PET INSURANCE, the expense is only a matter of hundreds, if not under a hundred or even free of charge, due to PET INSURANCE, Please inquire about pet insurance and be certain to spay or neuter your pet as required by a veterinarian. Also, please keep up with your pet’s vaccination’s, to prevent disease’s.
Veterinarians are charging too much these days. They are charging as much as doctors charge to treat people! We need to take care of our animals, but we also need to say no to the overcharges by Vets. You should not have to make a ton of money, nor have to buy insurance, to own pets!
Says who? A vet has to pay for his/her rent of a building, pay the salaries and benefits of the staff, pay for ALL equipment, (and medical equipment costs an arm and a leg) and replace it when needed. He/she must keep ALL forms of meds supplied, and up to date, even if it just sits on the shelf and goes bad. He/she must pay huge fees for insurance for him or her self and their staff. They must make sudden judgements and act on them, and be at risk of a lawsuit if anything goes wrong. They have huge veterinary school bills to pay off.
WHY should they barely get by and barely survive because people don’t use common sense with pets, or do preventative care or watch their weight, or exercise them……?
MOST vets are ethical people trying to make a living. MOST are certainly not rich. Its ok for business executives, and others to become rich but not vets because we, you and I, deal with them one on one? NONSENSE, Most don’t want to be rich, just to survive.
As for insurance: we all pay for it for ourselves and our families, why not for our pets?
The Vets around here are far from “just getting by” It is just stupid what they charge for almost nothing. I am not paying for any kind of animal insurance, that is for sure and for certain. 4 stitches and done in less than 30 minutes, with a price tag over $400, is too darn much. This is why I do most all my basic medical care, on my animals. It really boiled my blood, when they quit selling rabies vaccines to the general public, from the feed store and vet supply houses. That is because the Vets did not like us giving our own shots for a couple of dollars, and them not being able to charge us $20. We use to be able to buy a bottle of injectable antibiotic for less than $10, now, we must pay $40 for the same bottle of meds, from a vet. They have gone beyond reason.
Try pet insurance, David, because in having this kind of insurance, your cost will be next to nothing. Also, the laws have changed, because of some people who neglected to give the proper care to their sick pet. Please note, that all or any. Medication, needs to be prescribed by a licensed Veterinarian. Perhaps if your next visit to the Veterinarian clinic would be less expensive, if you ask for a veterinarian Technician. Also, try a low cost veterinarian clinic next time your pet is in need of medical treatment.
I do not want or need your advice on insurance. I handle 90% of my own vet care. If I run into something that I cannot handle, which is seldom, I will take it to a vet. I am very good at wound care, injection and sutures. Of course, I do not do any surgery or x rays.
Fine………………..I pray that you will never be stuck in a situation where you need the help of a licensed medical veterinarian. Because, some medications come with side effects, what then David. Some medications come with reactions, what then David, can you recognize the signs or symptoms. Some medications contraindicate with other medications, what then David. Dosage is highly important according to weight, can you take it. Pet insurance lowers the cost of all veterinarian procedures, this is why I suggest it too you. Surgeries, with pet insurance may be next to nothing or no cost to you. I do hope that you microchip you pet’s, theirs another task you may need assistance in registering the chip.
Just quit. I am fully aware of medication interactions. Several times when I had to go to t vet, I had already diagnosed the issue correctly, but did not have the medications or it required surgery. A friend that is a vet, was a guest speaker at a graduating class of new vets. He told them in his speech, that most of the time, the client has already diagnosed the problem, and all they had to do was listen to what was being told to them. If you lived on a farm, and dealt with animal problems on a daily basis, you would understand how people pick up the education and skills necessary to take care of their animals, themselves.
Okay, David…………….I think I know where you are coming from at this. You are right.
Did I miss something here? I don’t recall seeing any mention of a woman owning a wild monkey. The article is about wild servals, caracals and savannahs being kept illegally and unhealthily in a New York apartment and tgrir subsequent rescue.
Leanne, Yes, you missed something. What he was talking about is the author of the article owns a pet monkey, but is criticizing others for owning normally wild animals, for pets.
Exotic pets, such as monkeys, chimps, tigers, lions, and so on, should NEVER be pets.
The person with a monkey may be well educated and treat him well, but FEW do.
And how did he become a pet? Most likely his mother was killed and he was kidnapped from his native jungle. HOW can you live with that?
How can someone criticize others for something they do themselves?
David, it is illegal in that state to keep or own such wild life. Thus, these felines are wild life and have a complete percentage of wild genetic makeup. They are not just felines with some, they are 100% wild and rare. WAP made the right decision and made the right move.
You missed the whole point. I was saying that what the man was talking about, is that the woman that presented this article, that criticized someone owning exotic pets, owns a monkey. Not good to throw rocks when you live in a glass house.
I do not want or need your advice on vet care for my animals. I do almost all my own vet care except surgery or X Rays.