Mick’s Passing

September 22, 2025

Celebrating the life of Mick Serval (2012 – 2025)

Mick was one of 13 servals rescued from a breeder in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The BC-SPCA was able to intervene and successfully remove and rescue the animals, and seven of them came to call Carolina Tiger home. Mick went from being kept in a crowded and boarded-up RV trailer, where he was exposed to high levels of ammonia from urine with no proper ventilation, access to water, or natural light, to a naturalistic, outdoor enclosure with platforms and plenty of space to roam and world-class care.

Mick lived with Dylan and Bowie Serval and spent his days enjoying treats, playing with enrichment, and lounging on his platforms. While he enjoyed his alone time, he could often be found snuggling with Dylan in a denbox. Every time the Keepers tried to snap a quick picture of them, they would always move! They kept those moments for themselves, I guess. Mick could be identified by his characteristic “nick” on his nose, which was a helpful feature distinguishing him from his enclosure-mates. With his hisses, growls, and undeniable serval attitude, he always reminded visitors that he was still a wild animal.

A few days before his passing, Keepers noted that Mick had not been feeling particularly well and seemed to have an upset stomach. They treated him with meds to help reduce stomach acid production and nausea and gave him supportive subcutaneous fluids. However, after a couple of days of no progress, he was sedated so our veterinarian could give him a complete exam. Dr. Lassiter noted right away that he was constipated. Imaging showed that he was backed up into his descending colon, so the team removed some of the hard feces and provided him with meds that would help him move the rest along on his own. The following day, he still had not made any progress, so Dr. Lassiter prepared for surgery, anticipating a blockage. Unfortunately, we found that the stool further up his system had compacted and created a blockage that had torn part of his intestines, which allowed dangerous bacteria to get into his abdominal cavity. All attempts to repair the tear only caused more tearing in his intestines. Sadly, in his condition, there were just too many factors working against his recovery. We will always choose quality of life over longevity, and with Mick’s comfort and well-being in mind, the decision was made to euthanize.

Many visitors had the privilege of meeting Mick and his fellow BC servals and learned their story. He helped us show the direct effects of the exotic animal pet industry. Mick was one of many lucky enough to find rescue through our sanctuary, but there are still many out there being bred solely for the purpose of being sold for profit as an exotic “pet.” We hope that by sharing Mick’s story, people will think twice before buying an exotic cat or hybrid as a pet, as they are still wild animals at heart.

With a heavy heart,
Kathryn Bertok
Assistant Director