Canadian Lynx: Rufus & Misha

Meet Rufus and Misha, a brother and sister pair of Canadian lynx who arrived at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's (PAWS) Galt, California, sanctuary on June 4, 2012. The pair had previously been living at Storybook Gardens in London, Ontario, Canada.

As part of Storybook Gardens' 2008-2010 business plan the City Council had approved the reduction of the overall size of the zoo component with the eventual goal of closing the zoo operation all together. The only animals that would remain would be the domestics.

Between 2009 and 2011 suitable homes were identified for a number of the animals and more than half of them were transferred to zoos and animal sanctuaries in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Throughout the process Storybook staff worked collaboratively with local animal welfare groups to select appropriate new homes. The community group Friends of Captive Animals (FOCA) endorsed Storybook's proposed plan and Zoocheck, an animal welfare charity based in Toronto, was instrumental in the relocation process.

Rufus, Misha and the other remaining animals at Storybook Gardens have a big name to thank for picking up most of their relocation tab. Bob Barker, retired host of "The Price is Right", has paid much of the estimated $120,000 it has taken to place remaining animals in new homes, said officials at Zoocheck.

Of the animals remaining in 2012, four harbor seals went to the St. Louis Zoo, the birds of prey went to Sandy Pines Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Ontario, two beavers and an otter moved to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary near Rousseau, Ontario, and the two lynx came to PAWS.

WELCOME RUFUS AND MISHA! Thank you to Bob Barker and Storybook Gardens.

This video was shot on June 4 and 5.

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[skwelders]

how can i write a not to Bob Barker personally... as his kindness and empathy for animals is so wonderful, if I had the funds i would do the very same.

[Kats Meow]

They are beautiful. Thank you PAWS and Bob Barker!

[frndsofcaptivanimals]

Thank you PAWS for taking this beautiful pair in! We have always been concerned for them. We are so happy that you could take them in and we hope they really enjoy this new home.

[Ulysses61]

As always, God bless Bob Barker...my HERO!

[Karen Bonadio]

IF HEAVEN EXISTS - IT MUST BE AT PAWS!