Emma the Caracal's Story

In December of 2023, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) received an email from the private owner of a six-year-old female caracal named Emma, looking to rehome her to an accredited sanctuary. The owner claimed she thought she was saving Emma from a breeder in 2022 but also stated that two other individuals had owned Emma before her. The woman kept Emma in an area of her basement adjacent to where her son lived. As she aged, the owner was having trouble getting down the stairs regularly to properly care for Emma. According to the owner, Emma loved to be brushed and interact with cat toys, such as the ones attached to a string and stick. She also noted that when they turned their back on Emma, the caracal liked to run and swat their legs. Stalking to hunt a person or animal whose back is turned is a natural behavior for cats. It is one of many factors that make owning a wild animal so dangerous.

Emma had two windows that she would sit by in the basement and did not have access to experience the outdoors regularly. She was fed a regular diet of chicken and was not spayed. Upon arrival at the Refuge, Dr. Kellyn performed a visual exam on Emma and noticed a large cutaneous mass on her back. A week later, Emma received a comprehensive exam with sedation, which included bloodwork, x-rays, and removal of the large mass. It was found that Emma had two microchips, and the mass was sent off for diagnosis. Outside of that, Emma was in very good health and even had her claws intact. Due to her history, Emma is very comfortable with people – but she will also hiss and assert herself as a wild animal should.