You might remember the incredible story we shared late last year about the arrival of two orphaned bobkittens. They came to Dane County Humane Society’s (DCHS’s) Wildlife Center a few days apart in August 2024. Malnourished and dehydrated, they were each in critical condition. Our expert staff estimated they were just 12 to 16 weeks old – far too young to have been separated from their mother or to survive on their own.
Upon arrival, the bobkittens received immediate care and medical treatment from our Wildlife Center’s licensed rehabilitators while under sedation, which was necessary to keep our staff safe while handling these wild predators.
Although they arrived separately, our wildlife experts believe these two bobkittens are brothers, based on the location and circumstances of each bobkitten’s rescue, as well as behaviors they displayed during rehabilitation.
Since socializing and living with other bobkittens is essential for these young wild animals’ development, it was ideal we had our own clutter. The orphaned brothers could remain at our Wildlife Center together for the remainder of their rehabilitation, rather than endure the stress of transport to another facility many hours away.
Our Wildlife Center staff have provided these bobkittens with a nutritious diet to nourish and strengthen them. But as these bobkittens grow larger, so do their voracious appetites. After six months in our Wildlife Center’s care, these young bobcats are thriving—but they aren’t ready for release just yet.
We’re turning to our incredible community members, with your big hearts for animals in need, to help us raise $5,000 to keep these bobcats fed and housed.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from Steve and Margie Holzhueter, you can DOUBLE your impact for these bobkittens up to $2,500 when you give by February 21st!
During their first two months with us, the bobkittens healed in a secure outdoor enclosure where they could practice their wild instincts. By October 2024, the bobcats had outgrown this first enclosure, so our Wildlife Center staff moved them to a larger space where they could further develop hunting and survival skills.
That larger space, a flight pen typically utilized for rehabilitating owls and hawks, needed some retrofitting to accommodate and safely contain the bobcats. Our staff purchased aluminum flashing to ensure the bobcats couldn’t escape through their enclosure’s roof, and they reinforced the walls with additional wood planks to minimize space between the slats and prevent the crafty cats from squeezing out. They also covered the ground with tree branches and other natural enrichment for the bobcats’ enjoyment and so they could engage in normal bobcat activities.
As the bobcats flourished, DCHS’s Wildlife Center staff began to consider their release back to their home territory.
However, during their first year of life, bobkittens have the lowest chance of survival in January and February. They face great risks like scarce resources and hungry predators during these harsh winter months, so releasing these brothers too soon would put them in grave danger.
To give them their best chance of survival, our wildlife rehabilitators made the difficult but necessary decision to care for them through the winter.
This extra time comes at a price. Just feeding these bobcats costs $200 per week. Their specially designed enclosure needed retrofitting to ensure their safety, and our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to refresh their space and provide the best environment for them to grow and thrive.
When spring arrives and it’s time to send them home, our team will need specialized equipment to safely transport them to their release site—where they will finally get the new beginning they deserve.
We have conservatively estimated these bobcats’ specialized care will cost at least $5,000, and we’re turning to our generous community members to help us raise these funds.
YOU can be part of their journey of healing and growth by donating today! Give by February 21st to DOUBLE your impact for these bobcats.
DCHS's Wildlife Center has limited staffing and is 100% funded by generous donations made by members of our community. Any additional funds raised will be used to continue the work our Wildlife Center does every day to provide specialized care and treatment to sick, injured, and orphaned native Wisconsin wildlife.
