Fundraiser launched to help rehome bobcat at Somerset zoo
Tropiquaria Zoo say staff have 'fallen in love with him' after rehousing the cat from an abusive owner in Hertfordshire.
A zoo in Somerset has launched a fundraiser to build a permanent home for a rescued bobcat after his previous owners were convicted of animal welfare offences.
Bode the bobcat was sent to Tropiquaria Zoo, near Watchet, with just 48 hours notice on Thursday 23rd January- after they volunteered to save him from a site in Hertfordshire.
His previous owner in Welwyn have since been convicted of animal welfare offences and banned from keeping animals.
The plan initially was for Bode to stay temporarily before moving to a sanctuary in the Netherlands.
But they didn't predict that they'd fall in love with the big cat, and want to build him permanent home here in Somerset!
On their fundraiser page, the zoo wrote: "Bode was one of 30 or so exotic cats subject to a court forfeiture order owner when his previous owner was convicted of animal neglect related offences.
"All these cats except for 3 who were terminally ill, have been rehomed in the UK.
"The original plan was that Bode would spend some time with us and then go to a rescue centre in the Netherlands.
"However the staff here have fallen in love with him, as it appears have many of our visitors who have seen his story on line- they all want him to stay!
"We have an enclosure which is about the right length and height, but this will need some upgrading.
"The current residents, 2 raccoon dogs of a certain age - who do not need the space now that the family have left home, will need to move across the park to a more suitable residence.
"The total cost for this is about £3,500, but with the money already offered, through sponsorship by local businesses, and a private individual, we may manage with a bit less.
"If more is donated we would use the money for further environmental enrichment within the enclosure and to improve the path immediately outside.
"As well as cash, donations of skilled labour, and the loan of a mini digger for half a day would also help reduce the cost and enable us to proceed with greater speed."
As of Wednesday morning, they've raised just shy of £3,000 of their £3,500 target.
Terrence Moore, 78, of Codicote Road, Welwyn, who founded the Cat Survival Trust charity in the 1970s, was found guilty of four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals by failing to seek proper and necessary veterinary care, following a three-week trial at St Albans Crown Court last year.