Rescued big cats get new home in mountains
Fayette County’s big cats will move into new lairs in the mountains in the spring. Dr. William Sheperd, the veterinarian who operates the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage in Grindstone, is sending 15 to 20 rescued lions, tigers and other animals to a new orphanage at the new Woodlands Outdoor World store adjacent to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa.
The outdoor sporting goods shop, which is scheduled to open Nov. 2 under the direction of Pete Magerko, the son-in-law of Nemacolin owner Joe Hardy Sr., will house and feed some of Sheperd’s cats.
Sheperd said the move will help him and the cats because a sharp decline in donations since 9/11 has made it difficult to pay for food for the voracious felines, and help attract customers to Woodlands Outdoor World and the resort.
“Mr. Hardy’s going to sponsor some kitties for us,” Sheperd said. “It’s a win, win. It’s been a bad year for us since last Sept. 11. Donations are down significantly. He’ll house and feed them.”
It takes $100,000 in annual donations to run the orphanage in Grindstone, but donations totaled about half of that sum this year. Sheperd said he’s been forced to use money from his veterinarian business to feed the 34 rescued animals there.
“I’d go without eating before they would,” Sheperd said. “Our goal is to give them good homes until they die. If they weren’t where they’re at, they’d be dead. They’re all acquired through rescue.”
Food, housing, labor and care costs $250,000 over the 20-year life of each cat. All 34 cats eat a combined 6,000 pounds of red meat every month at a cost between $4,000 and $7,000 depending on prices, he said.
The cats consume the meat from an entire cow every five days. Every month they put away 1,000 to 1,200 pounds of chicken, 600-800 pounds of hamburger and 20 cases of canned cat food.
Lions and tigers eat 10 pounds per day at a cost of $400-$500 per month, cougars eat five pounds at a monthly cost of $300, bobcats eat one pound at a monthly cost of $75 and the several eat Science Diet dry food, costing $50 per month.
Ranging from 2 to 14 years old, the cats that will be moved to Woodland Outdoor World also include bobcats, lynx and Asian fishing cats.
Sheperd will attend to their health and medical needs while the store will house and feed them.
He said their new home will be built in phases. First will be large pens, but eventually trees and rocks will hide the fences from visitors’ eyes. Ponds will also be built.
“I think the cats are going to like it,” Sheperd said.
The new orphanage will be designed to create the illusion that all the animals are sharing the same space, but they have to be kept separate or they’d kill each other, he said.
Admission might be charged to help offset the cost of food and other expenses.
The orphanage in Grindstone will remain in operation after the new facility opens.