Sasha was rescued in 2021 at just 11 months old from a private owner living in New York. Purchased as a kitten, Sasha spent her first year growing up in an apartment in the Bronx. As she grew, so did her wild instincts. She became too difficult and dangerous for her owner to keep her, so they contacted Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR). To prevent an accidental escape in the city, which could have proven fatal for the young cougar and someone else, TCWR responded quickly to this urgent request.
Upon arrival, we gave Sasha a complete medical exam, including vaccinations. Our onsite veterinarian, Dr. Kellyn, noticed muscle atrophy in her back legs, but Sasha was in overall good health. Afterward, the young cougar was released into a spacious grassy habitat – a freedom and thrill she had never experienced inside an apartment. Sasha’s story made international headlines, and many were shocked that anyone kept a wild animal of her size in an apartment within a busy urban neighborhood.