Bobby Blue Rose
(Deceased Bobcat)
In the Wildlife on Easy Street Safari Guide, we're told that Bobby Blue Rose was one of the original 56 bobcat kittens 'rescued' from a fur farm in Minnesota in 1993. USDA acquisition forms tell us that Bobby Blue Rose was actually purchased from Terry Dunlap of Boise Idaho on 11-12-1994. Is Bobby Blue Rose a common bobcat name, or did this cat hitch a ride from MN to Idaho to be 'rescued'?
The Evolving Stories
Wildlife On Easy Street - 1999 - (source)
Bobby Rose came to Easy Street with the original group of 56 kittens in 1992. She was originally sold to one of our staff, but as part of Wildlife On Easy Street’s buy-back policy, she was returned here on 11/2/94. She kept stalking her owner’s 16-year-old daughter and we did not want her to end up on the downward spiral to misery that too many unwanted cats find themselves on. She has an appetite big enough for two Bobcats!
Big Cat Rescue - 2006 - (source)
Bobby Rose came to Big Cat Rescue with the original group of 56 kittens in 1992 who were rescued from a fur farm. She was originally sold to one of our staff, but as part of Big Cat Rescue's buy-back policy, she was returned here on 11/2/94. She kept stalking her owner's 16-year-old daughter and we did not want her to end up on the downward spiral to misery that too many unwanted cats find themselves on. Bobby Blue Rose always says, "The morning breeze has secrets to tell you; do not go back to sleep!
Big Cat Rescue - Present
Arrived at Big Cat Rescue 5/27/93
Bobby Blue Rose came to Big Cat Rescue with the original group of 56 kittens who were rescued from a fur farm years ago. Bobby was a very shy bobcat and liked to keep to herself so her cat-a-tat was at the far end of our sanctuary, away from the main path, in an area we call "Little Back."
Bobby had a very light colored coat and faded spots. She loved enrichment time and would quickly destroy a cardboard tube stuffed with little mice and chicks.
Most of our bobcats were rescues from fur farms. The deal our Co-Founder made with the three fur farms we discovered in the U.S. was that he would pay top dollar for every cat and kitten they had as long as the fur farmer would agree to never buy and breed cats again for slaughter. It came at a time that the public outcry was against the fur industry. Many of these animals were purchased at auctions, where the uncaring owners were dumping the cats with no concern about their welfare. There is much controversy over whether we did the right thing by paying the ransom for these cats. We still accept many unwanted cats each year, but do not pay for them and typically require that their owner surrender their license, in an attempt to keep people from just trading in their cats each year for a newer, cuter model.
At 19 years old, after discovering that Bobby was suffering from an incurable disease, we helped her pass peacefully. She was special to so many and, like so many, we will never forget her or her spirit.
