Rescuing wild cats and bears is no easy feat. It requires expertise, planning, teamwork, and, above all, a deep commitment to providing lifetime Refuge for these animal victims. At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), each rescue is a testament to unwavering hope, true compassion, and dedication. Here is a glimpse of what it looks like behind the scenes of a rescue.
The Call for Help
Rescues often begin with a phone call or tip about an animal in need, whether a serval involved in a car accident like Nala 2 or a pseudo-sanctuary forced to relocate their animals like the bobcats from Wildlife Waystation. TCWR’s team evaluates the urgency of the call, the amount of availability, and the resources needed. Sometimes, these situations are so dynamic and complex that they may require collaboration between multiple accredited facilities, bringing together their resources and expertise to ensure the rescue is successful. In some cases, the animal(s) may be being kept illegally or housed in a dangerous environment, requiring the coordination of law enforcement or wildlife agencies. Law enforcement helps mediate with uncooperative owners, ensures the safety of both the rescue team and animals, and enforces applicable laws regarding the illegal possession or mistreatment of the animals.
Planning the Rescue
Every rescue is unique, making thorough planning essential to ensure the safety of the team and the animal(s) being rescued. Some of the preparations include assessing the animal(s) medical needs and raising funds to meet these needs, arranging transportation, which involves acquiring necessary permits and veterinary paperwork, preparing housing and enrichment needs for the incoming animal(s), and working cohesively with the previous owners or facility to ensure their needs or demands are met.
The Rescue Operation
On the day of the rescue, TCWR’s priority is the well-being of all the parties involved. This often means working quickly and carefully to minimize stress. The operation often includes the Curator/Vice-Curator or President/Vice-President to lead the rescue, TCWR’s onsite veterinarian to perform any sedation or medical attention needed, additional animal care team members to help with safety, and a member from our communications team to help capture the story.
While the rescue occurs, most of the team stays back to perform essential duties and tasks to ensure daily operations are taken care of and to guarantee everything is prepared for the new animal(s) to arrive at the Refuge. This may include preparing the area with water, food, bedding, any type of enrichment, or prep for any medical procedure or preventative based on assessment of the animal(s) at the time of rescue.
After the Rescue
Once the animal(s) arrive at TCWR, the focus shifts to providing them with ultimate freedom. Depending on the rescue, the animal(s) will spend their first 30 days at the veterinary clinic in quarantine, where they will receive a thorough health exam and vaccinations, in addition to treating any injuries or illnesses. For some, this may be their first experience with proper care and a balanced diet. Throughout this waiting period, the team patiently works on helping them adjust to their new home and re-establishing trust.
How You Can Help
Behind every rescue is a community of supporters who make our TCWR’s mission possible. Donations, adoptions/sponsorships, memberships, and volunteer work are essential to providing lifetime Refuge. By contributing, you’re not just helping an individual animal—you’re helping ignite a new era of education, rescue, and awareness around the exotic pet trade.