JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife says people buying exotic animals could be putting themselves in danger and the animals too, especially if they’re not properly trained.
Merlin is a 6-month-old African Serval.
He came to the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary with another exotic cat named Nimueh.
PHOTOS: Merlin the several wildcat rescued by Catty Shack Ranch is up and moving https://t.co/2lahDtKRs5 pic.twitter.com/kH3H83Rego
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) July 28, 2019
“We were contacted by an individual who was permitted by the state to have the animals, but unfortunately had run into some problems,” Catty Shack’s Executive Director Curt LoGiudice said.
The executive director told us a local woman got the cats from a breeder, but they were too wild for her and she couldn’t care for them anymore.
When Merlin arrived, he had three broken legs and both cats were malnourished.
Merlin needed immediate medical attention and was rushed into surgery.
He had his fourth surgery on Friday and now he’ll spend the next four weeks going through rehab.
Merlin is getting his pins removed bones 🦴 are growing Great 🐾🐾 X-rays and 4 weeks of rehab & he should be out with Nimueh for everyone to enjoy 😊 @cattyshackranch @ Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary https://t.co/K3PVW3I71A
— Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary (@cattyshackranch) July 26, 2019
In 2013, American Pet Products Association reported that around 19.4 million U.S. households owned exotic pets and experts say that number is growing.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the exotic pet trade has generated $15 billion in the U.S. alone.
“A lot of animals are sold at pet shops around the nation that aren’t actually pets,” LoGiudice said.
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Catty Shack wants to remind pet owners there are things they should take into consideration when taking in exotic pets like Merlin.
Keeping an exotic animal in Florida requires a license that's issued by Florida Fish and Wildlife.
People should also know how big the animal is going to get, understand their dietary needs, and be prepared to care for them for the next 20 years.
Back in April, a Gainesville man was attacked and killed by his cassowary, a giant flightless bird, when he fell between the animal’s pen.
“No matter what all animals, anything with teeth has a capability to bite, so anything can be dangerous. But in some instances it could be more dangerous if you’re not property trained,” LoGiudice said.
The Catty Shack Ranch says they’ll be monitoring Merlin’s progress and they’re hoping to let the public see him in the next four weeks.
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