10/29/2026
Happy National Cat Day from the wild side.
Most people think of house cats today, but around here, we’re also thinking about Spicey and the other bobcats that remind us just how special our native wildlife is.
Bobcats are quiet, beautiful, and incredibly important to our ecosystems. They help keep rodent populations in check, usually avoid people, and spend most of their lives trying very hard not to be seen. Even though they’re wild cats, they are not out looking for trouble. Most of the time, they just want space to be wild in peace.
Young bobcats can be especially vulnerable when habitat is disrupted, when people mistake a hidden kitten for being abandoned, or when they come into contact with roads and other human hazards. Like so many of our native species, they do best when people know when to step in — and when to simply give them room.
Spicey has given us a chance to appreciate these animals a little more closely, and to remember that Missouri’s wildlife includes some pretty incredible cats.
Today, we’re celebrating all cats — tame, wild, tiny, and a little spicy.
Together, we shine brighter.
