Saving the Big Cats
Christy Doherty
The eyes of a cat are mesmerizing. When the cat weighs nearly 700 pounds, those eyes are awe inspiring. Perhaps that’s part of the draw, leading some to bring such untamed beauty home to live with that magic.
Unfortunately, successes are rare. Cheryl Tuller truly understands the dream vs reality. In 1996, a newspaper ad for a “Hybrid Bobcat Kitten” captivated her.
“My husband, who also loves cats, said absolutely NOT,” Cheryl says. But within the week, BoBo came home. Cheryl was enthusiastic and enchanted, but as BoBo grew, so did the challenges. Over two years, his wild nature became abundantly clear.
Making peace with BoBo’s irrevocably wild heart, Cheryl and her husband Michael forged a path they’d never imagined. They formed WildCat Ridge Sanctuary (WCR), an incredible success story for BoBo and many others like him in need of safe, forever homes. Their accredited nonprofit “last hope” sanctuary is in beautiful Scotts Mills, Oregon. The wildcats come from near and far — including, recently, Lithuania. Need outweighs geography.
Approximately 80 animals reside at the refuge, primarily wildcats (think lions, tigers, cougars, servals, lynx, bobcats, caracals, cheetahs, fishing cats, Asian leopard cats, and hybrids). Rescued dogs, donkeys, sheep, cows, roosters, turkeys, and feral domestic cats complete the roster. Each resident has a story, some more painful than others. All testify to the need for WCR.
Tiger brothers Atticus and Scout were born at a notorious Florida facility in 2014. Sold too young to a roadside “zoo,” they lived in small barren stone pens, brought out only when visitors paid for photo ops. Rescued, they arrived at WCR in 2017. Atticus, now the largest tiger at WCR, has a huge personality and dominant nature, reminding everyone that he is NOT a pet.
Raja and Nia, African caracals, and Willow and Zena, African servals, didn’t suffer neglect or abuse. Their private owner simply could no longer afford them all. WCR’s team drove to Montana to bring them home. Caracals’ territories range up to 85 square miles — imagine confining them in a living room!
Wild cougar Kennewick was found hiding in a mechanic’s garage in 2005. Emaciated, covered in ticks, and very sick, he was captured by wildlife officials. He broke out his canine teeth fighting the crate, ending hope of release. Public outcry spared him from euthanasia, and WCR accepted him. Soon his weight doubled from 90 lbs to a healthy 180. He lived to about 23 and will be forever missed.
Perhaps the most famous WCR residents are six of the Siegfried and Roy tigers — Svengali, Cosmo, Indira, Rajiv, Hirah, and Maharani. Their new habitat is under construction, to be completed soon.
WCR operates thanks to donations and volunteers. Annual costs can exceed $800,000, with annual feed for one big cat alone running $10,000. Anyone who might like to help can learn how on their website. WCR also has wish lists on Chewy and Amazon.
WCR is not a zoo; the sanctuary protects its residents’ peace. When director of communications Stefanie Kraus takes two to four guests (ages 18+) on two-hour visits, she quietly chats and shares each wildcat’s story. Tours resume June 2025.
Ian Ford, WCR Associate Executive Director, has warding as well as incredibly sad at times. Many residents come to us in pretty bad shape, and some don’t ever fully recover.”
Fortunately, most flourish — and all get an improved quality of life. Those who pass due to age or infirmity become treasured memories, honored on the WCR website. Approximately 80 animals reside at the refuge, primarily wildcats (think lions, tigers, cougars, servals, lynx, bobcats, caracals, cheetahs, fishing cats, Asian leopard cats, and hybrids).
Hard goodbyes are followed by optimistic hellos. Beautiful cheetah Oshana arrived recently from an organization in Texas, which entrusted WCR with her retirement. Welcome home, beautiful, you’re in good hands.
Learn more about WCR and its residents at WildCatRidgeSanctuary.org or 971 900 4078.