02/20/2026
Wild animals deserve so much better than this. š¢ Poor Rigby has lived his entire life in fear and confusion, all because someone wanted the novelty of keeping a wild animal as a pet. We warn people against this for a reason!
After over a decade being forced to be a pet, Rigby was rescued by authorities, along with several domestic animals who were also being neglected. (The domestic animals are getting help as well.)
Rigby is completely terrified. He doesnāt understand whatās going on or where his humans and house cat friends are. He doesnāt understand why heās had to spend his life being neglected inside a home when his instincts tell him that he should be climbing trees and foraging for crayfish. He doesnāt understand why heās feeling soil under his feet for the first time, or whether he likes it or not.
Like any frightened, confused wild animal, Rigby thought he was in danger when I had to transfer him from a large dog crate to a carrier. He was so panicked that he tore through my Kevlar gloves like they were tissue paper and also grabbed me by the arm. Iāll need post-exposure rabies shots and antibiotics, but Iām not mad at him at all. Iām just sad for him.
Between his age and the fact that he seems to have vision loss, Rigby has no chance at returning to the wild, where he belonged all along. Fortunately, TWRA authorized him to be admitted for quarantine and eventual transfer, so heāll be settling in here for a few weeks to a few months. We already have an excellent home in mind for him where he can live out his days as an education animal in a spacious, natural habitat.
Rigby should have never had to go through all of this, to suffer for over ten years without ever experiencing the life he was made for. Wild animals are not here for our entertainment or companionship. Please let them be wild. š¦
