Cowboy Cat Wrangler Bob Lynch is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he cares for multiple cat colonies, advocates, and practices TNR (trap, neuter, return). When caring for the colonies, the animal lover frequently encounters other critters, like deer, foxes, opossums, raccoons, and baby skunks.
Although feral cats gobble up any food offered quickly, critters are often nearby, waiting for any scraps. On a nightly basis, Lynch often encounters the little opportunists.
Recently, Lynch shared a video of “The Stinky Twins,” two baby skunks that keep stealing the food left out for the cats. In this case, they have no qualms about coming right over and dragging a plate of food away. Patches the cat, can only watch in disbelief as the skunks confidently move in for the prize.
As cute as they are, how could anybody be mad?
Stomper and Stinky the Skunks
The Cowboy Cat Wrangler has previously shared the story of two skunk babies, Stomper and Stinky. When he came to check on the cat food, he saw a mother skunk and her two babies. The mother ran away, but the babies stayed behind, stomping their feet and raising their tails.
Seeing Lynch’s approach, the skunk babies are reluctant to leave the big cat food bowl. They’re about the size of 4-month-old kittens, and like kittens, they try to puff up and look menacing. But their defense is totally different, as they stomp their little feet and raise their tails up. It’s a black and white warning flag because they will shoot their little “pea shooters” as a last resort.
Having encountered skunks many times, the Cowboy Cat Wrangler talks calmly to them.
Return of Stomper the Skunk
In a more recent video, we see the “Return of Stomper.” This time, the baby skunk is not about to move away from the cat food. Instead, the baby stomps its feet in a warning that would send most people running.
The Cowboy finds the baby skunk adorable, but it does make feeding the cats a little challenging!
The Cowboy Cat Wrangler also shares videos when he encounters baby opossums, which he also loves.
Of course, raccoons are always around when there is food, and Lynch loves them too. He’s even hand-fed baby raccoons and came to their rescue.
Reminder: It’s always a good idea to show caution around raccoons and other wild animals, which can, unfortunately, carry rabies sometimes. Here are some tips from the Humane Society about what to be aware of with raccoons.
Cowboy Cat Wrangler
Over the years, the Cowboy Cat Wrangler has saved thousands of cats with TNR efforts. Each cat that is returned neutered or spayed can’t produce multiple litters of kittens requiring rescue ever again.
Previously, we shared a story about the Cowboy Cat Wrangler’s efforts with Trap King Davis and The Mad Catter to TNR over 75 cats on Chincoteague Island. He has appeared in My Cat from Hell, in the episode “Philly’s Forgotten Cats.”
Over the years, Lynch has adopted many cats he rescued. In a Calender of hunks for Philadoptables, he posed with two of his kitties, Bob and Angelo. Lynch found the cats abandoned on the side of the road in a dog crate.
On an ongoing basis, the Cowboy Cat Wrangler and fellow rescuers are out in the elements, “boots on the ground getting it done every night and exhausted.” Sadly, there are always more kittens and cats needing rescue, and there’s a constant need for more people to help and donate. Lynch encourages others to become Trap Queens, Kings, or Cowboy Wranglers in their local communities.
“Anyone can be a vital part in saving thousands of cats a year,” he says.
If you’re in the Philadelphia area, the non-profit Forgotten Cats Inc., which Lynch works with, is deeply involved with TNR efforts in the area. Since 2003, the rescuers have spayed and neutered over 165,000 cats and kittens.
You can follow the Cowboy Cat Wrangler on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
More about the Cowboy Cat Wranger from 6 ABC Action News Philadelphia:
Great article! I too have been taking care of free roaming cats (for 34 years) and all the other animals whose habitats and food supplies have been destroyed by humans. Before TNR started, and caring for the cats was frowned upon, there was close to 2 million stray cats roaming Philadelphia. The numbers for the whole state of PA were astronomical. Last year the numbers in Philadelphia were under 500,000…..Good work Mr. Lynch and all the others who feel empathy for the animals and do something about it.
As wonderful and awarding as it is – there is also a very sad, heart wrenching side to it. As I write this I am preparing my self to bear witness to the unnecessary and cruel destruction of 2 dozen cats, at least 10 foxes, countless groundhogs that are in hibernation and can’t defend themselves. There are also opossums, skunks, turtles, gardener snakes and countless other creatures that all play a major role in our ecosystem. The saddest part is that I know that the cats could be saved and I do have a place to relocate them to I just don’t have the physical strength (the downside of getting older). I have reached out to the rescue organizations but I have gotten few responses or they let me know they will call me back and they never do. I was a professional organizer years ago and I can see where the problems are and the key components that are missing when I look at the “cat kingdom” as a whole. Everyone is doing their part and I’m not saying anyone is at fault. Each person and each organization is handling a critical component with regard to this topic. However, we have a ways to go and there are other components to caring for these animals that have never been addressed yet. I have faith it will all work out eventually. Animal Rights is still young in its development, but America is far more advanced and caring than any other country.
Sorry, I got a little sidetracked with my thoughts. I watched half of my colony and their shelters get bulldozed right before the deep freeze. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. I was able to convince the contractors to hold off to give me time to figure out what to do and move their shelters & feeding stations. My family wasn’t that happy that I wasn’t there for the holidays but, they usually don’t understand what or why I do what I do for the animals. Now, as the days are counting down I feel as though there is nowhere or nobody to turn to for help. I am left with being God’s eyes and ears to bear witness to the decimation and cruelty about to be inflicted on the innocent.
My advise to Mr. Lynch and all the caregivers: don’t ever let your hearts become hardened. You’re doing a job that needs to be done but it’s vital to always see what the animals feel, they are scared and frightened and it is up to us to ease their fears. Whisper to them when their in the trap, make eye contact and slowly blink to let them know you mean no harm, make sure there is something on the bottom of the trap so the wire doesn’t dig into their sensitive paws, some cats feel safe when the trap is covered others like a little corner uncovered so they can peak out and see what’s happening.
Thank you Mr. Lynch and all the other caregivers for doing the thankless job that many in society refuse to even see.