note: unfortunately we are full of flares and domestic sheets. we get so many requests that we just can’t keep up. our mission is to help feral cats in need and we will accept f1 hybrids only if there is room in our sanctuary.
If you need to deliver your domestic flare or savannah, please contact these groups.
http://www.bengalrescuenetwork.org/
http://svrescue.com/surrender-a-savannah-cat/
domestic Bengal cat policy
Imagine getting over 20 calls every month from owners begging you to foster their little Bengal cat. your cat has become too difficult to handle or urinates all over the house. How would you feel when, over and over again, you had to say “no” – you had to explain the reality of the situation? this is what we regularly deal with at the bobcat sanctuary.
Breeders do not have to respond to these calls, even though they have caused the problem. but we, and many other shelters, have to. That’s why we advocate no more feral pets as an important part of our mission and want to end hybrid breeding.
our mission is to rescue feral cats; i.e. lions, tigers, leopards, pumas, etc. we can barely keep up with the demand for big cats in need of shelter. Now the requests for Bengal cat rescues have become overwhelming and therefore we are no longer able to accept Bengal cats for sanctuary placement.
what is life like with a hybrid cat like a bengal?
There are millions and millions of perfectly wonderful domestic cats in shelters waiting to be adopted, so it’s frustrating to find people choosing to pay thousands and thousands of dollars for exotic hybrids like Bengal cats. why do this?
these cats end up behaving just like they are genetically programmed: “wild!” owners are led to believe that they will bring these little ferals home, give them a litter box, and live peacefully with others in their homes. that’s not the case at all, as you’ll see when you read all the information we have below about hybrid cat species.
how to create a home for your hybrid cat
A lot of these desperate people love the setups we have for our hybrids and flares here at the sanctuary. it’s easy to duplicate them in your backyard or attach them to your garage for your bengal cats.
Your cat doesn’t need to be given away. and, most importantly, they do not need to be sacrificed for behavior that was easily predictable. you spent so much money to acquire them. Don’t they deserve a little more to be able to enjoy life?
Giving up your Bengal cat is traumatic for you, your family, and your cat. By investing a little more time and money, you can provide them with a suitable environment that meets their needs, just like we do here at the Wildcat Sanctuary.
As the pictures show, our hybrid cats live in temperature controlled sheds/bungalows that we have adapted for their enjoyment. You’ll see perches, beds, washable walls, litter and food boxes inside the buildings, and a cat door that allows cats to access an outdoor area. these outdoor areas are securely fenced, with a roof.
Ramps, hanging toys, landscaping, water fountains and hammocks allow cats to fill their days with endless fun. some of our volunteers’ favorite moments are spent playing with the Bengals and hybrid cats.
The bottom line is that you made the decision to purchase something with a wild personality. they are active, vocal, mischievous and love water. why, then, give up your cat for the things that originally drew you to it?
commit to giving them what they deserve: a safe and pleasant home that meets their needs.
You won’t change its savagery, but you can learn to live with it and enjoy many years of happiness together. you bought a hybrid cat with the hope of having a companion for life. do the right thing now and give them the life you promised, right in your own backyard.
how is a domestic flare different from an f1 flare?
can breeders control feral tendencies through breeding?
- flares (Asian leopard cat – domestic cat)
- sheets (serval – domestic cat)
- chausies (jungle cat – domestic cat)
- safari (geoffroy’s cat – domestic cat)
- painful irritable bowel disease (ibd) causing chronic diarrhea
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- progressive retinal atrophy
- tri-trichamonas fetus
- luxating patella
- often high corona titers and only known test for fip: feline infectious peritonitis (but not always reliable)
- gingivitis and mouth lesions (more common in chausie)
- owner will pay transportation costs to tws
- a health certificate is required within 10 days of transport
- cat must be spayed/neutered at owner’s expense
- a blood profile including a corona titer should be performed
- the rendition form must be completed and signed
- Annual sponsorship or admission fee will be requested
hybrid health issues
Hybrids, whether first generation or domestic, often have the following common health problems, which can be costly and leave the owner feeling helpless:
Our Bengals and hybrids at the sanctuary rack up our highest veterinary costs due to these common health issues. They also take up the most time for our keepers due to the cleanliness of their indoor areas. due to spray and dirt.
adopt a hybrid cat
The Wildcat Sanctuary is against hybridization, but we understand that Bengal domestic cats are legal in most states and many are displaced and need homes.
We recommend any prospective owner adopt from a rescue group, as well as seek information about the breed from sanctuaries and many other resources rather than just breeding sites. Adopting a Bengal from a rescue group will be valuable as litter box and social behaviors have already been assessed.
If you choose to bring a Bengal cat into your family, you must be committed to the breed and the breed’s behavior. even the small handful of Bengals who don’t have litter box issues are active, vocal, love to play in the water, and are mischievous. A unique owner is needed, willing to take care of an animal for life that will take care of the house.
TWS does not agree with any purchase or adoption of hybrid generations (F1-F3s) given the wild nature, behavior and health issues associated with these cats.
The Wildcat Sanctuary is a sanctuary for feral and hybrid cats. Due to the overwhelming number of calls we are receiving, we are no longer able to service the national Bengalis. only cats from the f1 foundation will be considered for permanent sanctuary.
Domestic shelters do not accept hybrids in their programs and most bobcat sanctuaries do not accept hybrids either. this leaves few alternatives for these cats.
If you plan to contact tws regarding a cat surrender, please review the following information. all requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
what other options do I have?
When TWS takes in rescues, the animal’s behavior and habits do not change. If the cat urinated in your house, he/she will continue to do so at TWS. The difference is we are committed to providing life time care for the animal and adjust the environment around them.
If you’ve purchased a Bengal or hybrid cat and are legally owning it, you should do the same. Best if you provide a fully enclosed outdoor area with access to a heated den such as a garage or insulated shed.
yes, this can cost a few thousand dollars, but it’s amazing that owners pay over $4,000 to $8,000 for these cats, but they won’t put that into the cost of caring for the animal or provide the same amount of funding for a sanctuary to take care of the cat.
euthanasia should not be an option for behavior common to the breed and easy to investigate. for example, take the Siberian husky. When a person adopts a Siberian Husky, they should not be surprised when the dog barks, jumps fences, digs and runs off leash when this is the typical behavior of the breed. there are exceptions to the rule, but anyone adopting this breed should expect and be prepared for typical behavior.
Other hybrid owners have tried to resell the cat to recoup costs. Buyers should keep in mind that if someone is trying to sell a cat, it is probably unwanted due to soiling or behavioral issues that they are not disclosing. this only means that the problems will get worse with you.
remember, there are millions of wonderful domestic dogs and cats in shelters just waiting to become your companions for life. you can save a life by adopting one of these.
You’ll be much happier that you kept the wild in your heart, not in your home, because the idea of owning a bobcat or hybrid is much more glamorous than the reality.
breeding hybrids: the dark side
If you’re familiar with all the controversy surrounding puppy/kitten mills, you won’t be surprised to learn that those same issues are associated with hybrid breeding as well. Here’s a snapshot of the dark side of hybrid breeding:
Breeding issues
during the breeding process, domestic cats forced to breed with feral cats can often die. many pregnancies are aborted or absorbed into the mother cat’s body when nature determines something is wrong.
Kittens are often born prematurely due to varying gestation periods between feral cats and interbred domestic cats. many of the first generation are sterile, especially the males. in some cases, breeders may kill kittens that are born with an undesirable appearance or simply leave them in a shelter.
reproduction conditions
Just like the controversial issues facing puppy mills, hybrid cats used for breeding can face the same poor quality of life. Forced to live in a cage for most of their lives, they are not socialized. read a case here.
cats can suffer from diseases and live in filthy conditions that are rarely detected because they are not inspected.
farming for profit
There’s no question that breeding a hybrid cat that will generate thousands of dollars tends to naturally appeal to many whose sole motive is profit. Why breed a “regular” purebred house cat that can fetch as little as $200 when you can breed a hybrid cat that can fetch as much as $22,000?
this pursuit of big profits leads many breeders to house too many cats in poor condition and leads to poor genetics as more and more are interbred.
permissions or prohibitions
fortunately, many municipalities have been informed about the danger of having hybrid cats in their communities. when there are no complete bans, many cities require special permits to keep these exotic cats.
servants, for example, are extremely efficient hunters and killers in Africa. Breeding them in captivity in the United States and crossing them does not change this innate characteristic. that’s why many areas see them as a threat or concern to the community and want to know where they live and who owns them.
the wild side
You can’t reproduce the “wild” behaviors of servals, Asian leopard cats, jungle cats, or Geoffrey’s cats by crossing them with domestic cats for a couple of generations. When a buyer spends thousands of dollars on a wild-looking cat, he gets exactly what he’s paying for: a cat with wild tendencies!
Hybrid cats are known for being extremely destructive. Common complaints are of ruined furniture, clothing, and personal items. A hybrid marking territory is instinctive, whether it’s a male or female, and most owners are unprepared for the reality of living with the smell of the wild constantly surrounding them.
Hybrids don’t always get along with other pets and have been known to prey on them, even causing injury to neighborhood cats and dogs. the elderly and young children are seen as weak and vulnerable to attack, just as any prey in the wild would be for these cats.
When frustration gets the better of homeowners, they too often look for an easy way out. they will have the cats euthanized when they cannot find a rescue or shelter to take them in. some have been known to simply release them, forcing them to survive on their own. it is a sad and cruel fate for these cats, even if it is not their fault.
health problems
Finding a vet to care for an exotic animal isn’t easy, and when you do, it’s expensive!
Hybrid cats have health problems that are not normal for domestic cats, such as respiratory problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive problems. the vaccines have not been approved for hybrid animals as it is not known whether regular vaccinations will protect them. many medications also do not work on these feral cats.
pet overpopulation
With estimates that more than 4 million pets die each year in shelters, there’s no need to breed hybrid cats. these cats rarely exercise as pets. it just adds to the problem of overcrowding in all the shelters. if a home is available for a pet, it must be for a suitable domestic pet, not a wild animal.
