Wildcat Sanctuary Celebrates 25 Years of Rescuing Animals

SANDSTONE, Minn. — The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone Minnesota has grown a lot over its 25-year history, but one thing has stayed the same– its mission, which is to provide a safe home for rescue wildcats.

It started with an idea and a backyard. the plan was to rescue smaller animals, maybe a few bobcats or lynx. Now, 25 years later the sanctuary has provided a home to over 300 animals over its years of operation.

“Coming from a little, small ‘mom and pop’ rescue I formed in my backyard to a state-of-the-art facility, with trained staff, safety procedures, free-roaming habitats, on-site hospital, 25 years has served us well to continue to rescue big cats from the illegal trade,” said Tammy Thies, Founder and Executive Director of The Wildcat Sanctuary.

After only rescuing smaller cats, the sanctuary eventually took in a tiger named Meme, who was facing euthanization before her rescue.

“When we went to pick her up, that was one of our first tigers, we were not going to rescue tigers, we were going to stay small cats, we didn’t have the funding but we couldn’t leave her behind,” said Thies.

After taking in Meme, the sanctuary began rescuing all kinds of wild cats. From tigers, lions, cougars and plenty more. Over 150 animals currently reside at the sanctuary in Sandstone Minnesota.

“Here at the Wildcat Sanctuary, we are celebrating 25 years of saving lives. To just walk around today and see lions caroling, tigers sleeping and cats just being cats, it’s the best gift we could get back after 25 years of doing our rescue work,” said Thies.

The Wildlife Sanctuary has rescued animals from across the U.S. and even other countries. A lion pride from Ukraine now calls the sanctuary home, and even four big cats from Tiger King Park.

“None of us want them to be behind fences, not even in sanctuaries, our goal is that we get to keep the wild, wild and are not rescuing from captivity anymore, but until then, we are a sanctuary for life,” said Thies.

Founder and Executive Director of the sanctuary Tammy Thies says they work with the Department of Justice and authorities who seize from the exotic pet trade.

“The good news is over the last 25 years we’ve seen a shift in people’s ideology that wild animals should stay wild and not be kept for profit,” said Theis.

Thies says donations from the public help provide care to all of the animals.

“We are one of the few sanctuaries in the country that is not open for public visitations so that we could be here strictly for the animals. And we also, because we are in Minnesota we have indoor, heated, temperature-controlled buildings for every single resident here at the sanctuary,” said Thies.

While people can’t visit the cats in person, the sanctuary has live cameras on its YouTube Channel and frequently hosts Facebook lives so people can keep an eye on a tiger or other wildcat.

“We’re really trying to educate the public on what a true sanctuary is. A true sanctuary like ours does not buy, breed, trade, sell or exhibit animals, we’re are a 100% a rescue organization,” said Thies.

While the cats at the sanctuary can’t be released into the wild, Thies says her team is determined to give them a home they deserve.