Bobcat with burns to all her paws among growing number at shelter after CA wildfire
When a California wildfire ravaged more than 14,000 acres, it took a toll on more than just human life.
The effects of the Eaton Fire, which left 17 dead, destroyed more than 9,400 structures and damaged over 1,000 more, was also felt by wildlife in the area near Pasadena.
Since the onset of the deadly fire, the Pasadena Humane Society has seen a growing number of bobcats coming through its Sandra J. Goodspeed Wildlife Center, the nonprofit shelter said in a Feb. 2 Instagram post.
Upon seeing a motionless bobcat in Sierra Madre, a concerned resident called the Pasadena Humane Society, the shelter said.
When the shelter’s officer arrived, it was clear “something was seriously wrong,” as the bobcat still wasn’t moving.
The officer took the feline back to the shelter, and veterinary staff found burns on all of her paws, the nonprofit said.
“She was also very thin, dehydrated, and probably hadn’t eaten for several days,” the shelter said.
After sedating the bobcat, veterinary staff took X-rays and bandaged her paws, according to the nonprofit.
Now, the shelter said its staff is treating her with medication and closely monitoring her.
“We are happy to report that she has begun eating, which is a good sign,” the shelter said, adding that they expect her to make full recovery.
This feline is not the only of its kind seen at the wildlife center in recent weeks.
In addition to bobcats with direct injuries from the fire, the shelter said it has seen an uptick in those whose habitat were destroyed by the fire, pushing them into densely populated areas.
Days earlier, the nonprofit rescued another bobcat that was brought to the wildlife center after a passerby noticed it in a bush in Pasadena, the shelter said in a Jan. 25 post.
“He had been struck by a car and was in noticeable pain,” the nonprofit said.
Staff sedated the feline to assess his injuries with X-rays and found he had a broken pelvis, the shelter said.
“But fortunately, his prognosis is positive,” the shelter said.
The California Wildlife Center took over caring for the bobcat, who will be released into the wild after his recovery, according to the nonprofit.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Bobcat with burns to all her paws among growing number at shelter after CA wildfire."
