Help us build a new bobcat enclosure

Read the story of Poppy and help us build her new enclosure.

Introducing Poppy

Poppy’s story begins the way many wildlife stories do—quietly, with good intentions, and with life-changing consequences.

She was being raised as a “pet” in a local home. Someone saw a tiny bobcat kitten and thought love would be enough. But love, without knowledge, education, and proper medical care, can unintentionally cause harm.

By the time Poppy arrived at WERC, she was in trouble.

She was dangerously underweight, dehydrated from constant diarrhea, malnourished, and suffering from gastrointestinal parasites. Her small body told a story of hunger and struggle. When our veterinarian examined her teeth, they estimated she was about three months old—but her body didn’t match her age. Because she had been deprived of the nutrition and care a wild bobcat needs, she was physically underdeveloped, her growth delayed by circumstances she never chose.

What followed were months of worry, testing, exams, and several emergency vet visits. It was a long road—one filled with cautious hope and constant care. And finally, the good news came: Poppy stabilized. She grew stronger. Today, she is healthy.

But not free.

From the moment she arrived, something was heartbreakingly clear—Poppy had no fear of humans. Not the cautious distance a wild animal should have. Not the instincts that keep bobcats alive in the wild. Between her severe early health issues and this deep habituation to people, she was deemed non-releasable. She would not survive on her own.

The wild life she was born to live was taken from her long before she ever reached us.

That is the quiet tragedy at the center of Poppy’s story. While she is safe now, while she will be loved, enriched, and cared for every single day, she will never roam freely. She will never hunt on her own. She will never choose her own path through the wild.

Poppy didn’t lose her freedom because of cruelty—but because wild animals are not meant to be pets.

Today, Poppy will join WERC’s educational ambassador team. She will receive proper nutrition, enrichment that encourages natural behaviors, and lifelong veterinary care. She will help teach others about bobcats, ecosystems, and the importance of protecting wildlife. 

How You Can Help

Help us build a new update enclosure at our new center (opening spring 2026)

• Donate directly to us here.