RAMBO

Male Jungle Cat

2/22/99 – 10/13/14

Rescued 12/5/99

Rambo came to Big Cat Rescue on 12/5/99. He was bred for the pet trade. His owner had sent him to live with her daughter who died unexpectedly and his primary caregiver became the 12 year old grand daughter. She and her relatives agreed that they did not want to see Rambo exploited as part of a hybridization breeding plan for profit and asked if he could come live at Big Cat Rescue.

He is very talkative and loves to carry on conversations with his keepers.

Most Jungle Cats only live 10 to 12 years but Rambo is much older than that already.  He cannot groom himself very well any more and spends most of his time sleeping.  It’s hard to look at him, with his ragged coat and slow gait, but it is a part of life and we don’t hide that from the public.  Rambo still loves to climb to the top of his platform to hold court with his admirers and to watch for the food carts, so we won’t shut him away from public view.

We let our cats tell us when they are ready to pass over the rainbow bridge.  As long as they are eating and enjoying life we will provide supportive care and pain management, but when their bodies begin to shut down, our volunteer vets will ease them to over to the other side.  Our vets, Dr. Liz Wynn and Dr. Justin Boorstein, come out at least twice a week and our cats’ health is documented daily by our volunteers into a google site that sends immediate emails to the vet care staff.

More about Rambo the Jungle Cat

Rambo the Jungle Cat.  There is a notorious breeder of servals, jungle cats and hybrids in Okeechobee, FL known as Sue Arnold.  Former volunteers complained that you could smell her urine soaked home and cattery the minute you opened your car door at the street.  Despite her reputation she still breeds and sells more of these smaller cats than anyone else I know of and from all accounts is never willing to refund or take a cat back.  It was 12 years ago, but I am pretty sure that Rambo was born there.

He was sold to another woman who gave him to her daughter who planned to breed hybrid Chausie cats.  When this breeder / dealer died she had a tiny chain link enclosure on concrete in her back yard with two Jungle Cats and two domestic cats, cordoned off into even tinier cells.  The daughter of the woman who died was only 12 years old and the Internet had only been around for about 3 years when she found us online and called.  She told me that she loved Rambo and Cha Cha and that she was afraid that they would end up back in some awful hybrid breeding scheme.  She asked if we would come rescue Rambo and Cha Cha from such a fate.

Who could turn down such an incredible young woman?  When we arrived catching Cha Cha was no easy feat.  She about wore me out.  I put the carrier in the van and turned to go back to the jail cell they had called home.  If I live to be 100, I don’t think I’ll ever forget what I saw next:

This little girl was clutching Rambo to her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks and she hurriedly carried him down the driveway toward me.  You could just tell that she couldn’t get these cats to safety fast enough.  It made me cry.  I opened the carrier for her to gently put Rambo in, she said her quick good byes and Rambo and Cha Cha were finally on their way to a place where they would never be exploited again.

A few months later the little girl talked her family into driving up from South Florida to see Rambo and Cha Cha.  I was so proud to be able to show her the wonderful life her precious friends had now thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers here.  That little girl is 24 now and I don’t remember her name, but if she were to come visit again, she would be even more happy to know that Rambo has had such a long, happy, healthy life here at Big Cat Rescue.

Tributes to Rambo Jungle Cat

Rebecca Williams Jan 25, 2015
Not a day goes by where i don’t think of you Rambo. You will always be my love, your sweet spirit and happy nature stole all of our hearts and you will never be forgotten <3

Sharon Dower Nov 24, 2014
Most beautiful sweet boy.You are missed by all that had the luck to know you. Give Shaniqua a nose nuzzle for me.

Lynda Licht Nov 22, 2014
“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” Rambo, you always gave the kindness of your attention and love to us keepers and the tour guests. Is it any wonder you were loved by all?

Sharon Henry Nov 21, 2014
You were one of the first cats I fell in love with Rambo. There was definitely something special about you and I knew it from the start. I miss you a lot my boy and I will remember you always.

More Memorials at http://bigcatrescue.org/category/memorials/