Born
October 26, 2013
Rescued
November 26, 2019
Died
April 4, 2025
Dylan’s Story
Dylan came to call Carolina Tiger Rescue home on November 26, 2019. He, along with 12 other servals, was rescued from a backyard breeder in British Columbia, Canada. The servals were kept in RVs with no ventilation, no natural light, and unsanitary conditions. The cats were confiscated by the SPCA of British Columbia and taken to a holding facility until they were able to be rehomed to accredited sanctuaries in the United States.
Dylan was a large serval with strong opinions. He would put his enclosure-mates in their place, but he also enjoyed basking in the sun on tall platforms. Dylan was incredibly food-motivated and showed just how much of a wild animal he was at mealtime.
Dylan’s Passing
April 12, 2025
Over the past few weeks, our hearts have been heavy.
We’ve said goodbye to two beloved servals, Elvis and Dylan—each with their own remarkable story, unique personality, and special place in our hearts. As any member of our sanctuary family knows, these moments never get easier. The grief is real because the love is real. And while we find comfort in knowing both servals were surrounded by care, compassion, and a deep respect, their absence is profoundly felt throughout the sanctuary.
Dylan came to Carolina Tiger Rescue on November 26, 2019, after being rescued from a heartbreaking situation in British Columbia. He and 12 other servals had been kept in cramped RVs with no ventilation, no natural light, and in deeply unsanitary conditions. Thankfully, they were confiscated by the BC SPCA and later rehomed to accredited sanctuaries across the U.S. That’s when Dylan found his forever home with us.
Over the years, Dylan blossomed into a curious, independent, and spirited serval. He loved lounging in the sun, watching the world go by, and letting out that signature serval chirp whenever something caught his attention.
Last week, we noticed Dylan wasn’t putting weight on his front left foot, and there was some swelling. We started him on medication to help with pain and possible infection, but when he continued favoring the foot, we decided to take a closer look. Because he had been declawed prior to coming to us, we knew there was a chance of complications and didn’t want to take any risks.
Dylan was sedated for an exam, and he handled it like a champ. Our vet, Dr. Lassiter, discovered an abscess—likely from a snake or insect bite—and treated it right away. But just as we were finishing up, Dylan’s heart suddenly stopped. Our team jumped into action and, after several intense minutes, they were able to resuscitate him.
While his body slowly started responding again—his ears twitching at sound, his paws moving with touch—his mind didn’t follow. Dylan never regained awareness, and after several hours of watching, waiting, and hoping, we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go peacefully.
Dylan’s loss is deeply felt here. He was a gentle reminder of why we do what we do. We’re so grateful we could give him the love, space, and care he always deserved.
With a Heavy Heart,
Kathryn Bertok
Assistant Director