MaryAnn's Story

Originally, MaryAnn was rescued from a privately owned facility in Kansas in 2013. The Atchison County officials seized the property, which included one tiger, two mountain lions, three bobcats, two lynx, and an African Serval. The previous owner faced ten misdemeanor charges related to the neglect and cruelty of the animals. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Kansas City Zoo assisted with the seizure, relocating the animals to reputable facilities throughout the U.S., one of which was an accredited Florida sanctuary. MaryAnn arrived at four years of age and lived in deplorable conditions at her previous facility. While at the Florida facility, a complete medical exam was performed, which included spaying and administering preventative vaccinations to MaryAnn. In 2014, she was introduced to another young bobcat named Max, and the two have lived together in companionship ever since. It did not take long for her to come out of her shell and accept her new freedom in Florida.

In early 2023, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) agreed to take 33 wild cats from the Florida sanctuary, accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). One of those animals was a female bobcat named MaryAnn. Now living at Freedom Field, MaryAnn enjoys lounging on top of her den, where she playfully attempts to pee on the animal care staff and interns. MaryAnn is a very inquisitive cat who loves exploring her surroundings. Despite the warmer weather, she often cuddles with Max underneath their benches, enjoying the close companionship. She is also quite clever, frequently taking treats as bribes to come inside for cleaning.