SAMANTHA (Mountain Lion)

Samantha was born in a drive-through Safari Park in Arkansas. She was taken from her mother before she was three weeks of age and placed in the "petting zoo" at the park. She was sold to a visitor who felt sorry for her because she appeared to be starving. Two months later her owners surrendered her to the local humane society because "she was getting out of hand."

The humane society contacted PAWS and Samantha arrived weighing ten pounds, unable to stand on her back legs. Dragging herself by her front legs, the tiny feline was suffering from malnutrition and calcium deficiency. Samantha has since improved on a balanced diet and calcium supplements. She bounds around her enclosure and chases her boomer ball, unaware that a few years ago she was unable to walk. Her story exemplifies a pervasive problem in this country -- excessive breeding of exotic animals which contributes to the continued surplus of captive species whose rightful place is in the wild.

SOSHA (Mountain Lion)

Sosha was found in the basement of a crack house in Detroit during a routine raid by federal agents. He was being kept as a "guard dog." After the raid, he was taken to the Michigan Humane Society and was later placed at PAWS. Sosha is now living in a 4000 sq. ft. enclosure.