Rescued Exotic Cats Heading To Animal Sanctuary

Bobcats and lynx that were rescued from a filthy Thurston County home were examined and readied Friday for a trip to a better life at a Colorado sanctuary, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

A veterinarian scanned the exotic animals' microchip identifiers before they are moved to a place where they'll be able to roam freely.

"These cats have lived their entire lives in 10 by 10 -- at max -- kennels," said Susanne Beauregard of Thurston County Animal Services.

The cats belonged to Gloria Gilbert, who has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.

Gilbert also owned several American alligators, zebras, donkeys and llamas that were seized after she displayed the nearly starving animals at the Thurston County fair last year.

Officials said Gilbert exhibited the cats and other animals for profit, and did not seem to care that she was keeping the animals in tiny enclosures, living in their own waste and receiving very little attention.

"It's not a good thing, not a good thing at all -- certainly horrible for the animals," Beauregard said.

The neglect has left the cats very wild. There's no question going to a sanctuary with acres to roam is the best thing for the animals and everyone else.

The cats will be leaving for Colorado Saturday morning. They will be evaluated when they reach the sanctuary, and it's hoped that they will eventually move to a multi-acre habitat.