Cougars

Several weeks ago, I got a chance to briefly visit with my father, who runs a big cat rescue organization. My dad & his wife take in cougars and other cats that would be otherwise destroyed because their owners kept them illegally, they were abused, or their owners decided that they could no longer keep a cougar as a "pet" (despite the fact that these magnificent animals are not pets!!!).

No zoo will take these cats for fear of contaminating their own population, nor can these animals be let out into the wild again. There are two choices for these animals: death or life in a rescue organization.

Their most recent addition is a two-month old cub named Tonka. The cougar shown above is Sheeno. These animals are magnificent creatures, but require a lot of care, feeding, and vetinary care. They do this out of love and respect for these creatures.

Right now, my dad gets very little in terms of outside funding. He and his wife, Erika, fund their rescue org straight out of their private pockets. They spent the better part of five years training and apprenticing, and making sure they could provide a good home to these types of cats.

In terms of costs, each cat eats up to 5-10lbs of raw meat per day. It takes about $1400 a year to feed two adult cougars. They have a vet who reduces her prices for them, but it still adds up.

Their organization, Yahtok'ya Animal Sanctuary, is non-profit in the state of Florida, but, unfortunately, not in the overall U.S.

If you want to help and can afford it, please consider making a donation to them. All proceeds go directly to the cats. They do not make a profit by running this organization.