Bobcats

It’s easy to see why people are drawn to bobcats—those tufted ears, expressive faces, and kitten-like charm. But cuteness fades as wild instincts emerge.

• Not House Cats: Bobcats may start small, but they grow into strong, territorial predators. Even hand-raised individuals retain their wild nature and can be unpredictable.
• Most Common Rescue: Bobcats are one of the most frequently surrendered wild cats in the U.S., often after owners realize they are illegal or impossible to manage safely.
• Specialized Needs: These cats require specific diets, habitat conditions, and medical care that most private owners cannot meet.

At Cat Tales, each of our bobcats serves as a living example of why wild animals do not make good pets—and how sanctuaries provide safe, lifelong homes for animals caught in the exotic pet trade.

• Family: The bobcat is part of the Lynx family, closely related to the Canada lynx but smaller and more widely distributed.
• Appearance: Their short “bobbed” tail gives them their name. Their coats vary from tawny brown to gray, covered in spots and streaks for camouflage.
• Adaptability: Bobcats thrive in forests, deserts, swamps, and even suburban areas, proving their remarkable ability to coexist near humans—when left wild.
• Hunting Skills: They hunt rabbits, rodents, and birds, but can take down prey much larger than themselves, including young deer.
• Behavior: Solitary and territorial, they use scent marking to define their range and communicate with other bobcats.
• Night Vision: Like domestic cats, bobcats are nocturnal hunters with exceptional night vision and sensitive whiskers that act like tactile sensors.

Bobcats are found throughout North America and are listed as a species of Least Concern, but their numbers fluctuate with habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.
As opportunistic predators, they play a vital ecological role in controlling rodent and rabbit populations. Unfortunately, they are still trapped or hunted in some regions for their fur or in misguided attempts to protect livestock.

Cat Tales promotes understanding and coexistence through education—teaching that bobcats are essential to healthy ecosystems and deserve protection, not persecution.

Our bobcats live in the Small Cat Forest, a quiet, natural area designed for climbing, hiding, and exploring.

• Enrichment: Food puzzles, scent trails, and visual stimuli encourage natural hunting and stalking behaviors.
• Seasonal Care: Straw bedding, shaded dens, and heated shelters provide comfort through Spokane’s changing seasons.
• Individual Attention: Each cat’s personality is considered in their daily routines, from Amala’s calm observation to Oakley’s playful chaos.

Guests often find them lounging in dappled sunlight or stalking imaginary prey—a perfect glimpse of wild instinct preserved.