Home to over 70 of the world's most endangered felines, the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound/Feline Conservation Center is a breeding zoo and research facility. Funds received are used for the care and support of the compound's animals and long-term goals, which include a natural history museum and public education programs. The older cages are slowly being replaced by large natural habitat enclosures that rival those found at the best zoos. Enrichment programs keep the cats active. EFBC's Feline Conservation Center is part of a worldwide network of zoos and facilities dedicated to the preservation of endangered cats, acting as a modern-day ark in the face of human overpopulation and mass extinction of animal species. We are involved in cooperative breeding projects with other zoos and facilities throughout the world. The majority of FCC's cats are not abandoned pets as you would find at a rescue facility, they are purebred animals that are registered within ISIS and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) or Population Management Plan (PMP) for each cat species. Cubs born here are often sent to other zoos for their breeding programs. We do NOT sell cats to the public.Founded in Rosamond, California in 1977, EFBC's Feline Conservation Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization run entirely on public donations.For more information please visit our official website at www.wildcatzoo.org

CAT of the WEEK

Willow is one of the bobcats that calls the EFBC her home. Bobcats are found throughout most of the United States as well as parts of Mexico and Canada. They are highly adaptable in both habitat and prey, and are currently listed as Least Concern. Although there are approximately 1 million bobcats roaming in their natural habitat, up to 80,000 beautiful bobcats are trapped and killed every year for their fur! This horrifying practice is still legal in 37 states. Willow came to us with a very sad story, and we can only hope that the public can learn from her. When Willow was a young kitten, she was living happily with her mother in the Mojave Desert. A well-intentioned, but very uninformed, citizen found young Willow alone and thought she had been abandoned by her mother. The citizen then made the decision to take her home and take care of her. They soon learned that a Bobcat is not a pet, and is very different from a domestic cat. They brought her to us at 10 weeks old, very sick from a calcium deficiency due to an improper diet. With proper medical care, diet and a lot of TLC, Willow soon made a full recovery and will live out her days with us at the EFBC. Willow is an excellent example of how important it is to NEVER remove an animal from the wild! If you find a baby animal alone, their mother may be off searching for food or may even be watching from a distance. Although Willow is very happy at the EFBC, and is loved by everyone that knows her, we wish she could have remained in the wild where she belonged. Come visit Willow and other wonderful cats at the EFBC!