I got this email from the Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, and it details an alarming trend and a problem that needs to be dealt with through public information and education. Here is the text of it: What's behind the flood of hybrid cats in need? Over 15 years ago, I never would've imagined the volume of calls I get about hybrid cat problems. Though our mission is to rescue wild cats, we'd always envisioned the majority of those being big cats. In the past year alone, we've taken in four Savannah cats (hybrid serval/domestic cat). Being one of the few sanctuaries that will take them in, we're inundated with calls. Why are there so many in need of rescue? A simple internet search shows breeders selling female F1 Savannah kittens for as much as $20,000, with non-refundable pre-birth deposits. It's obvious, hybrid breeding has become a very lucrative, profitable business. We know from the educational posts we share on social media, there's so much misinformation about hybrids out there. Many know nothing about the expensive specialized care they need, their wild tendencies, etc. They buy them without doing much research, simply wanting a 'lap leopard' pet to show off. When it doesn't work out, when their homes are being destroyed, when these hybrids fight with other pets and children, owners look for an easy way out. Most of you remember the heartbreak we went through losing Savannah rescue Esteban within months of taking him in. He showed just how expensive veterinary care can be, even for these little wild cats. It can often top that of a tiger! Not many private owners will commit to that level of care. We can only rescue so many of these hybrids. We have to try to stop the breeding. I urge everyone to keep the wild in your heart, not your home. Thank you for sharing our educational posts whenever you possibly can, in any forum you can. The more people know, the more they'll stop supporting this explosive hybrid breeding for profit.
I don't know about cats but at the Humane Society we had what 3 experts said was probably a Malamute-coyote hybrid. It was 4 months old and DANGEROUS! He couldn't be placed with any adoptive home.
I want a pet badly but I'm too old. I don't want to leave it behind. Nor do I wish to bury another pet. They are like children to me. Wild animals need to stay wild and admired when we are lucky enough to see them.
You're a true animal lover. And I know it's hard in your position. It's wise to not want to leave a pet behind if it outlives us. We get plenty of such pets at the Humane Society and they're usually so old that we can't find an adoptive family for them. I wish there were a good answer.
My buddy's family had a malamute-wolf hybrid (1/2&1/2). They never had problems with it, but when we'd go over for cookouts, it was unsettling. It would stalk us from the bushes, predator eyes peering out. We have wild coy-wolves here in central WA now. The state wont officially admit it, but the game wardens will if they know you. Also unsettling.
I dont really like the concept of pets. Animals are meant to run wild, dogs especially. I wont buy animals- I dont like supporting that industry. But we will take adoptions. So far we've adopted rats, a guinea pig, a chinchilla, 3 cats and a dog. And we bought a hamster against my protest...lol
You could foster a pet. I volunteered with a great rescue that takes old dogs out of shelters, takes them when an owner cant care for them anymore, or when an owner passes. Ive had more than a few in my home and each dog was so great in their own way. Last year the rescue posted an older blind mini pin...her owner had passed and she was at the shelter. So glad I went and got her.
When I worked for a vet, animal control brought in a wolf/malamute hybrid. He was huge!!! The dog had attacked their young child and tried to attack a neighbor...they brought him in to be euthanized. He tried to eat the bars on his run and had serious food aggression issues. Wolves generally do. lol Wild animals need to stay wild. Its cruel to them and potentially dangerous for us. I know how much people ( we all) admire them but I really think owning them all boils down to ego.
Dogs were bred to be domesticated and mostly to do work of different types. As such it would be cruel to release them to the wilderness. They're well adapted to people, they are smart, and they are predictable mostly. They think about what happened in the past and they have just about every emotion we have. But you're right, avoid puppy mills. It's ok to buy a dog from a professional breeder, but find out what questions you should ask from another professional first (trainers are not always the best choice) and then tour the facility. If you see anything sloppy, dirty, or dogs in small kennels or empty water bowls, or if the breeder is less than professional in the way they talk about dogs, go somewhere else. Adopting from a shelter would be my first choice but you need to know how to evaluate a dog because most dogs are in shelters due to problems, unless they're there because the owner was too old to care for it or was deceased.
I don't know brother. I get so attached and grieve them so easily. But I promise to think about it seriously. We have some shelters here that I may be able to work with.
My kitty was born in the closet on my patio 3 years ago. He was such a beautiful American long-haired white Angora that I could not part with him. All his brothers and sisters I found homes for, then I tricked his momma in a cat crate cage with cat food and closed the gate and took her to the vet for spaying. Neutered my cat at 10 weeks also. His lifespan is now 20 years. Hopefully I will live as long as he does.
I would not keep a wolf or hybrid wolf around women or children or pets. Wolves are killing machines, same as lions. Wolves respect men because we are big and strong. But an old feeble man might just end up dinner for a wolf.
There are plenty of "old" cats and dogs in adoption centers that nobody wants. Go and get one of those. At first he/she will be distant but eventually he/she will warm up to you.