10/14/2026
🙏❤️ We are asking for all the prayers we can get right now for Bindi & Ripper. ❤️🙏
Today, we officially submitted our requests to extend the rehabilitation time for BOTH of these babies. And I will be completely honest. my heart is racing, my stomach is in knots, and I am beyond stressed waiting to hear back.
These decisions could determine the future for both of them. 💔
🦦 Our sweet-looking, VERY spicy girl Bindi…
Bindi has come SO incredibly far since she first arrived. When she came into our care, she was experiencing serious neurological issues and multiple seizures.
Thankfully, her seizures have decreased tremendously! She now goes much longer between episodes, but unfortunately, she is still experiencing them occasionally, especially when stressed.
And while that improvement is AMAZING, it is not enough for us.
We want ZERO seizures before we even consider releasing her back into the wild.
With winter approaching, we are praying for an extension that will allow us to continue working with her through the colder months and hopefully give her the time she needs to fully recover by spring.
Now, let me tell you something about Miss Bindi. 😂
She might look like the sweetest, most innocent little otter in the world in her pictures, but I can promise you she is 100% NOT! 🤣
That girl is SPICY. And when I say spicy, I mean she has absolutely NO problem letting you know exactly how she feels about you!
And you know what?
I AM SO PROUD OF THAT! ❤️
Because we did exactly what we was supposed to do as her wildlife rehabilitator.
I KEPT HER WILD.
My job was never to make Bindi love me or want human attention. My job was to keep her natural instincts intact while giving her the medical care and second chance she desperately needed.
And that is exactly what I have worked so hard to do.
She might be adorable, but she is a WILD river otter, and she makes sure we never forget it! 😂❤️
Now we just need her little brain and body to finish healing so she can hopefully return to the life she was meant to live.
🐾 Now, our boy Ripper…
This one is a little more complicated, and I want to be completely transparent with everyone.
Ripper came to us after experiencing significant neurological issues. He is STILL receiving medication to help control those seizures, and although he has improved, we have a long road ahead of us.
But there is something else that has concerned us since the very first day.
Ripper does NOT act like a normal wild bobcat.
When this little boy was handed to me, he was PURRING.
Yes. Purring.
He was extremely tame, comfortable with people, and showing absolutely none of the attitude we would expect from a wild bobcat.
Now, let me give you an example…
When our little girl Riot arrived, she was YOUNGER than Ripper was at intake.
And Riot? Oh, she was HISSING, SPITTING, and making it VERY clear that she wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with us after 24 hours! 😂
THAT is the behavior we WANT to see!
As cute as it might sound to have a sweet, loving bobcat, that is NOT what we want for an animal whose future is supposed to be in the wild.
We do not know whether Ripper’s unusual behavior is related to permanent neurological damage from his seizures, his previous human interactions, or something else entirely.
We are doing everything we can to limit human interaction and give him the opportunity to develop those natural wild instincts.
We are praying that with more time, he can eventually come off his seizure medication AND start acting like the wild bobcat he was born to be.
❤️ Please understand why these extensions mean so much to us.
We are not asking for more time because we want to keep these animals.
We are asking for more time because we want to give them every possible chance to go HOME.
Back to the wild. Back where they belong.
I cannot even explain the emotions that come with caring for animals like these. You fight for them through the worst days, celebrate every tiny improvement, and become so incredibly invested in their recovery.
And then you reach moments like this, where so much of their future depends on decisions that are no longer entirely in your hands.
I am trying to stay positive, but I am worried sick because it is not in my hands. It is the DNR’s decision.
Please, please pray that both extensions are approved. 🙏😭❤️
We are not ready to give up hope on either one of them.
❤️ WE ALSO DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP WITH FOOD! ❤️
Between Bindi, Ripper, Riot, and all of the foxes currently in our care, we are going through meat like you would NOT believe!
Seriously… it is INSANE how much these babies eat! 😂
🥩 Do you have frozen meat sitting in your freezer that you no longer want or need? PLEASE think of us before throwing it away!
We would be incredibly grateful for donations of properly stored, unspoiled, unseasoned meat that is safe for our animals.
Monetary donations are also a HUGE help as we continue purchasing food, medications, and everything else these animals need.
We are doing everything we possibly can to give these babies the futures they deserve, but we cannot do it without the incredible people who support us.
Even if you cannot donate, PLEASE share this post and say a prayer for Bindi and Ripper.
We are holding on to hope that one day, we will get to watch BOTH of these babies walk away from us and never look back.
Because as heartbreaking as goodbye can be.
That is the happy ending we fight for. To see them go see the world without the enclosures! ❤️🦦🐾
Thank you for loving these babies right alongside us.
Lakota Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation ❤️
https://linktr.ee/lakotahavenwildliferehab
