A resident from Minnesota heard a kitten crying in a car lot early this week. Concerned for the tiny creature’s safety, he carefully searched the area and found her huddled up next to a tire under a car. The kitten looked vulnerable and frightened, and the busy lot posed a real danger for such a small animal.
The man knew he couldn’t leave her alone in such a hazardous spot, so he decided to bring the kitten home. At first, he thought it was just a stray domestic cat, unaware that this little one was actually a wild animal with very different needs.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
“A little while later, he began to suspect that it wasn’t a domestic breed and started calling around for help. Thankfully, he reached us and transferred the kitten into our care,” Tami Vogel, Communications Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, told Love Meow.
Within 24 hours, the wildlife rescue admitted their first bobcat kitten of the summer. The kitten’s mother was not present when she was found. “We don’t know exactly what happened, but we can make an educated guess based on many similar cases: a predator likely passed by, causing the mother and the rest of the litter to scatter. Unfortunately, this little one got separated, and the mother didn’t realize to return for her,” Tami explained.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
Normally, the process is simple: the rescue team would perform a quick health check on a wild animal and then return it to its original location to give the mother a chance to reunite with it. “This is the recommended approach for anyone who finds an orphaned wild animal that is not injured or in immediate danger. You shouldn’t feed it or handle it unnecessarily. Put it back where it was found and observe. If it remains alone the next day, then bring it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator,” Tami advised.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
In this case, the bobcat kitten was found in an unsafe location and had spent the night alone. “This situation made it necessary for us to admit the kitten rather than leaving her out for another night. She was at risk, and we couldn’t take any chances,” Tami told Love Meow.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
“Any orphaned wild animal should be taken to a licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible. In Minnesota, finders are legally required to bring the animal to a licensed rehabber within 24 hours,” Tami emphasized.
The kitten appeared to be in good health but was slightly dehydrated. “She will spend a few days with us to stabilize her condition. After that, we will transfer her to another rehabilitator who specializes in bobcats. Eventually, she will be returned to the wild where she belongs,” Tami shared.
Share this heartwarming story with your friends. If you would like to support the rescue efforts, visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota website to see how you can help.
