Exotic Feline Rescue

The hot desert wind blows fiercely as we stare into the eyes of the majestic Bengal tiger. Gusts of dust sweep across her rich orange and black fur, rustling it in the wind as she paces back and forth.

Suddenly she stops. Crouching down in a pouncing position, she gazes directly at us, her tail whisking side to side.

Jasmine is one of 53 big cats at the exotic feline rescue center, The Cat House, in Rosamond.

This refuge for endangered cats has been owned and operated by Joseph and Jeanne Maynard since 1977. In 1983, the Feline Conservation Center (formerly called the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound) was opened to the public for educational purposes.

Bengal tigers like Jasmine are one of many endangered species represented at the compound, which is dedicated  to boosting the populations of many of the world’s most endangered felines.

In addition to being hunted for body parts, Bengal tigers are killed as pests in India, and despite efforts to preserve these beautiful creatures, nearly two a day are killed.

But don’t expect to see Simba the Lion here, pouncing and playing among the fishing cats, clouded leopards and jaguarundies.

“Lions mate like jackrabbits,” said Karla Losey, facilities supervisor.  “They don’t need protection.”

Instead, the center provides a home for species like the rare Northern Chinese Leopard and Amur leopard, which hail from Russia’s Amur River Valley near Siberia. Both are highly endangered and The Cat House has been very successful in the subspecies protection.

“We are the best in the world for breeding these types of cats,” said Losey. “Some cats come from Paris, Germany, all over the world. We never mix genes, so the babies are totally pure.”

During your visit, you'll also find bobcats, snow leopards, servals, manuls, ocelots and margays.

The compound’s efforts have caught the eye of several institutions, including the University of Tennessee and the San Diego Zoo. Both have worked closely with the compound, participating in both artificial insemination and natural breeding programs.

“Like most programs, it is making progress. I think Joe is headed in the right direction,” said Carmi Penny, curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo. He is someone who in the future will make significant contributions to the husbandry of small and large cats.”

A breeding loan agreement is always made in advance, specifying who will have ownership of the offspring. Some felines live permanently at The Cat House, but most are eventually transferred to reputable zoos or other appropriate homes.

For cat lovers, the center offers a rare glimpse at some of the world's most beautiful and endangered wild cats. "Twilight Tours" are held three times a year during the spring, summer, and fall. This is a good time to view portions of the compound that are not open to visitors during the day and really see the animals in action.

The Cat House is located on Mojave-Tropico Road in Rosamond. Open Thurs. - Tues. 10-4; 661-256-3793; www.cathouse-fcc.org

• To learn about Wolf Mountain Sanctuary, click here
• To learn more about the Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary, click here

• To learn more about the Desert Tortoise sanctuary in the Mojave Desert, click here.