The center has recently been going through a tough time. Matthews said at least 20 of the bigcats have sadly died due to the bird flu virus. Just one month ago, the center was home to 37 cats.
In all 20 cats died, more than half of the sanctuary’s bigcats. Melinda Mathews told KIRO the first cat, Hannah Wyoming, a cougar, got sick in mid-November. Vets originally it was cancer.