Rescue Puma Can’t Be Released Into The Wild, Lives His Best Life As A Spoiled House Cat (New Pics)
From snakes to tarantulas, some people enjoy keeping exotic pets. But have you ever wondered what it’d be like to live with… a puma that thinks it’s a house cat?
Messi the puma cat, named after the famous Argentine footballer, lives with its adoptive parents Aleksandr and Mariya Dmitriev in their apartment in Penza, Russia, since 2016. Messi is living the life that we all daydream about: the life of a spoiled pet cat.
Bored Panda already wrote an article about the puma once, and we love Messi so much, we couldn’t wait to do a follow-up with plenty of new photos for you to enjoy!
More info: Instagram | YouTube
Meet Messi the puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Messi (the big exotic cat, not the talented and celebrated pro footballer) was sold to a petting zoo in Penza when he was just three months old. He was smaller than usual. He had health issues. He couldn’t live in a zoo. Nor could he live in a wildlife sanctuary. And petting zoo staff were thinking of putting the wild cat to sleep. That’s when Aleksandr and Mariya showed up to save the gentle feline.
Messi lives with Aleksandr and Mariya Dmitriev
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
The couple said that when they first saw the wild animal, they thought it was “love at first sight.” So they bought him after some deep thinking about the ethics and logistics of keeping such a big cat at home. After they brought Messi back with them, they nursed it back to health. Aleksandr and Mariya seem happy with their new addition to their family, but the couple’s cat Kira doesn’t get along with Messi. Perhaps, it’s jealous?
Though his owners call him “kitten,” Messi had to be trained like a doggo
Image credits: l_am_puma
View this post on Instagram
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Though Messi’s known as their “kitten,” keeping it is more like taking care of a doggo than a catto. For example, it had to be trained at a dog training facility. What’s more, Messi now knows around 10 commands (though we doubt he can score a goal)! The Dmitrievs take their puma on walks (imagine what their neighbors’ reactions are like), feed it raw beef, chicken, and turkey, and wash it in the bathtub.
Messi often goes for walks
Image credits: l_am_puma
View this post on Instagram
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
View this post on Instagram
When Messi became famous on the net, lots of people loved how the Dmitrievs took care of him. However, there were some critics. They urged the couple to send the puma to a wildlife sanctuary. But Aleksandr and Mariya state that Messi couldn’t survive in the wild. It should also be noted that the couple don’t, in fact, encourage anyone to domesticate pumas and other big cats: Messi is an exception because he is exceptionally gentle, calm, and sickly.
This particular puma is incredibly gentle and calm
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Image credits: l_am_puma
Our cuddlesome Messi is known all over the media as a puma. But did you know that pumas are also known by a whole bunch of other names? Including cougars, red tigers, and mountain lions. But a puma isn’t enough for the Dmitrievs—they have plans to adopt a leopard. Because Messi needs a friend. Might we suggest naming it Ronaldo?
Let me get my laserpointer...
How come those porno posts like the one here stay up for so long ?
Katie - I can report them and I keep reporting them. Do you have the "..." after the up down arrows? I wish more people would report them.
Hisseefit no there isn't the three dots for us
I love to see the animals but I feel like no matter how much somebody says "this is not a pet etc, etc", there will definitely be people who would try. That's why I have such mixed feelings about this type story.
Me too, definite mixed feelings. Lovely that Messi seems genuinely happy and well cared for. However, they are in a one bed apartment and want to get another big cat. What about their poor small house cat that is already unhappy because she doesn't get along with Messi? Not exactly fair to that little animal let alone how Messi might react to another. Just because this may be working out okay, doesn't mean that they should take on more.
Agreed. The article frames it as jealousy, but I imagine it has a lot more to do with the fact that the puma could easily EAT him. Clearly the cat does not feel safe, so why add a jaguar? Plus, there's no indication that there's a leopard who can't be released into the wild and can't live in a big cat sanctuary. Despite what they're saying, it sure seems like they're just collecting big cats now.
Ok , I'm from Ukraine and understand russian. I see some videos and streams on their channel, and I know they really good owners . Messi loves them . And now they have a house in the country where they built a separate aviary for Ichel - this is the cheetah, which they have since December 31. Now they are slowly establishing contact with her. Previously, Ichel was in the circus ... therefore she is not afraid of people, but fears them. I noticed that Ichel loves Masha more, and sometimes he hisses at Sasha. But the owners adhere to the tactics of "Rule 3 P" Constancy, Graduation, Consistency. I don’t know how in the correct equivalent it is translated into English, but in Russian it is. And another point, at the expense of Messi, they made friends with Ichel, and "shared the owners" Sasha with Messi, and Masha with Ichel. I want to say that Masha and Sasha are very caring, and with time will establish tactical contact with Ichel.
They live in a big house now with an enormous yard. The cheetah has her own enclosures and is a rescue as well.
Messi is living the best life I could ever imagine. He has been raised with the greatest love and care. I’m saying this as a person who has rehabbed many wild animals and raised a black tailed deer for a year that was released into the wild and living the life god intended. I’m baffled by all the negative responses, but this is BoredPanda where negativity is now the norm.
Я извиняюсь , они уже имеют собственный дом. вот вам ссылка на канал https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvph04Sh9CFKAw-gA6y-brQ Удачи вам и вашим родным.
Lets hope they get a bigger place.
I'm going to have to disagree with you and agree with @Юлька Якушева (Yulka Yakusheva)
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Copied from a comment further down but really an important point that should be higher when considering the situation. "National Geographic article where they say these wild animal "adopters" do it for completely selfish reasons, and refuse to let animal sanctuaries intervene even when those sanctuaries have better access to trained veterinary and care professionals. There a lot of big cats that are worse off than this puma who thrive under sanctuary care and living the best life they can". Thank you to GRACIE and others commenting with the information from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - and which is painting the true picture.
I'm just relieved that people here are educating themselves on the issue and I wish the Bored Panda staff would stop promoting and advertising these harmful IG accounts. There was a nice article the other day about someone's experience of meeting wolves at a wolf sanctuary (another animal that has been anthropomorphised by humans so much that they end up in these sanctuaries in the first place) that was fun to read. There's absolutely no need to promote these Instagram accounts, and I hope the Bored Panda staff are not being paid by them to do so. Also take a look at the comments that are supporting this couple, there's at least three of them that are directing people to look at their YouTube and IG accounts, they want the advertisement revenue to support their grift.
It's crazy; big cats rescued from circuses should be in a wildlife sanctuary. I guess, their ordinary, little domesticated cat fell out of favor now.
Andy from Beaverton, sometimes it's negativity, sometimes it's common sense.
I don't get why genuine comments showing that they changed houses and now keep their cats in a bigger place are being downvoted.
Small part of the picture is why. Organisations have tried to persuade them to give the puma to a sanctuary with access to professional care and better veterinary treatment. Also better larger space and tailored facilities. These people always wanted to have a large cat - they are not doing this for the cat's sake. If it was for the cat's sake they would have handed Messi over to a sanctuary. Read the National Geographic article.
Sparrow, read Rosie's, Graci's. Liam's comments. The professional wildlife conservationist know better.
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...because some people like to indulge in fake virtue signalling or are simple russophobes.
Your feelings are mixed because you do not know that is the purpose of life.
"Don't own a big cat. This is an exception." *continues to post several pictures of said big cat in domestically familiar and adorable situations* We already know people are easily influenced and not environmentally conscientious. Have some care with social media!
You're right, and in the end it says that they are thinking of getting a leopard too. These people seem to care more about themselves and the attention than the animals.
@gumeracha "They urged the couple to send the puma to a wildlife sanctuary. But Aleksandr and Mariya state that Messi couldn’t survive in the wild." A sanctuary is not the wild and specifically designed for rehabilitating sick animals. An apartment is no place to raise a large animal. You sound like you have a lot of anger, and the internet isn't the best way to soothe it. Go for a walk. Call someone who loves you. I hope your day gets better.
gumachera, dont bother, some people are simply too stupid for their own good. just ignore these ignorant fools.
Agree.
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If you fools bothered to read the stories instead of getting your jollies from inflicting your idiocy on others you would see that these are RESCUE animals and would have been put down if not taken in. Honestly people like you need to be put down.
Repeat with me: wild animals are not pets!!!!!
What part of "Rescue Puma Can’t Be Released Into The Wild" do you not understand?
Yeah like if it can't survive in the wild then it can't survive in the bitch.
I don't see why the rescued puma could not be released into a reputable sanctuary? It's something you Trav don't understand.
What part of "We bought the puma from a young age from a petting zoo and raised it in our apartment, only letting it out of a spare room for photos because it would probably kill us or our domestic cat otherwise" do you not understand?
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Plot twist: there are other options besides wildlife and becoming a pet, idiot. You are not the sharpest tool in the shed aren't you.
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It is very convenient for them. They should please release it into the wild. There are millions of "rescue animals" in the wild. What part of "nature takes care of itself don't you understand?"
They've already acknowledged that in general, Pumas should not be tamed, and that Messi is the exception. Besides, the zoo was going to kill Messi before he was adopted.
Kiro, please ignore that imbecilic comment by Christina. She would obviously prefer a circus jaguar to remain in the circus rather than in a loving, caring family knowledgable in the handling of big cats. but hey, lets send some fake virtue signals before having to go back to the looney cell.
Kiro, they acknowledged that pumas (wild predatory animals) should not be tamed, Messi is the exception? That's why they are getting another one? A jaguar, that will be another exception?
I agree with you, but this puma couldn't live in the zoo and couldn't be returned to his original habitat, so the keepers were thinking of killing him. Perhaps this is not the ideal situation but it's the best solution, given the circumstances.
Maria, a petting zoo and a zoo are two different things. Secondly, there are wildlife sanctuaries just for these kind of situations.
This animal would have been put down if they had not come to his rescue. You are right: normally wild animals should stay in the wild, but this one has no chance because of his disablilities. Professionals assessed this situation in great detail and came to the conclusion that this was his best opportunity for survival. It is clear that he is loved and loves his human family in return. He is smaller that a normal puma and is no threat to this family. In this case, he is exactly where he should be. All rules have exceptions and this is the exception to not owning wild animals...
This is what the family said; is it the whole story? They alone were the sole rescuers?
gumeracha.....wild, especially predatory animals are not pets; the rescues belong to a accredited, reputable sanctuary!!!
Why are wild animals not pets? We humans poison the environment of these animals. So the few surviving wild animals have to take care of. Certainly they should be kept appropriately. Then all the zoos in the world should be closed.
gumeracha, please stop calling people idiots, just because they have a different opinion. Maybe there's more to the story you have read.
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Ignorant comment from someone who obviously has not read the story. IDIOT!!!
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Plot twist: there are other options besides wildlife and becoming a pet, idiot. You are not the sharpest tool in the shed aren't you.
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Warawk is not the brightest light in the lamp store, it looks like.
No no no. These articles are what encourage people to have wild cats as pets. You say he "can't live in the wild" and therefore can't go to a sanctuary? Our sanctuaries aren't the same as living in the wild, and they give the animals the care they need. PLUS the fact that they're planning to also adopt a leopard? Please don't keep small/big wild cats as pets.
Paula, Warawk is talking about gumeracha history, who is calling people who do not agree with his "expertise" idiots. Warawk is right, there are accredited, reputable sanctuaries which accept injured or previously abused wild animals.
"It should also be noted that the couple don’t, in fact, encourage anyone to domesticate pumas and other big cats" "BUT a puma isn’t enough for the Dmitrievs—they have plans to adopt a leopard." Thanks for the double standards...
They have a bigger place to live now. They build a house. They got second animal Ichel from Circus (my opinion: animals in circus MUST BE BANNED!!! Let's ppl jump through the hoops to entertain other ppl). Ichel was mistreated in circus by other leopards and owners decided to give it to Sasha and Masha right before a new Russian law that prohibits to have dangerous species in private dwellings. The new law is a long list from mammals to insects. They build a separate place for leopard Ichel on their property. The goal is to keep Ichel till she will die naturally from her age otherwise in circus it might be put down. I am puma is a channel on YouTube search for that and check it out.
The choices aren't just circus or someone's home though. What's wrong with a good wildlife sanctuary? These animals needs will be met in a sanctuary far more ably - they usually have a lot more space and far more experience.
A bigger house? Does this house include cliffs, trees, birds, wind etc? And you do know that a lot of these "pet cats" gets drugged in order to be docile?
They don't need to verbally encourage it. Irresponsible people will follow their example.
What is WRONG with you people!!!!!!!!!! The background to these adoptions and NOT CUT AND DRY!!!!!!!! GREAT THOUGHT...went into this and GREAT SACRIFICE...to any ' normal' life!!!!! This has been done in GENUINE LOVE...CARE and reaching out to two Beautiful creatures who would have be destroyed and traumatized to destruction!!!!!!!!
"According to his wife Mariya, Aleksandr, 38, had always dreamed of owning a big cat, “He always thought about having a lynx – never a puma. It’s hard to explain but we believe that having this puma as a house cat is part of our destiny.” The article also states “We had three days of thinking hard about whether it was moral to keep such an exotic pet, and whether it was common sense to have one. But nothing could fight our sudden wish,” Mariya, 28, told the Mirror. “So we went to the zoo and started negotiations to buy Messi. We were surprised ourselves when they agreed.” They basically went to a zoo, saw a puma cub and put in an offer to buy him, this is the most selfish, pig-headed and disgusting attitude to take for "rescuing" a wild animal.
And yet again Bored Panda promotes keeping wild animals as pets. If you actually cared for these animals, write about wildlife sanctuaries saving them instead. Because these "articles" make idiots want to have one for themselves. Fact check, before publishing. There are tons of different wildlife sanctuaries with different approaches to what will happen to the animal (if they are to be let free Vs if they will remain at the sanctuary enclosure) but you just took this couples word for that the sanctuary would definitely let the animal free and let her starve to death. Wild animals do not belong here in our homes, stop helping an industry that sells them, because at the moment, that is exactly what you do.
nice try Lingon, I graduated 1st class in biological sciences from imperial college london back in 2005. tell me again about education on the field moron.
@Lingon, also people with an education know the difference between to and too.
Bored Panda needs to be more responsible!!! Making people "smile" is OK as long as they are not victims of any sort created in the process.
Christina Uhlir,... Please come again???? If you have read the "article again", then you are simply too stupid for comprehensive reading.. QUOTE "Messi (the big catto, not the talented and celebrated pro footballer) was sold to a petting zoo in Penza when he was just three months old. He was smaller than usual. He had health issues. He couldn’t live in a zoo. Nor could he live in a wildlife sanctuary. And petting zoo staff were thinking of putting Messi to sleep. That’s when Aleksandr and Mariya showed up to save the gentle feline."
N S, people have read the article again and much more carefully than you did.
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Why don't you read the article again. It clearly states that the puma could not be kept in a sanctuary due to health issues and was about to be put down. And now you come in and tell people that how horrible and the animal should be kept in a sanctuary. Perhaps if you would stop indulging in fake virtue signalling, you would not have missed that bit of info which renders your comment completely irrelevant.
Nice try. Have you ever considered that people with an education in the field, have internet to?
Under normal circumstances he should of course be allowed to live in the wild. But if he is sickly, they would just be putting him out to die. My heart couldn't do that either.
Adorable... until he gets mad, one time. This is how those news stories of "an exotic animal kept as a pet kills a family". And all the commenters are like: "Well you shouldn't have an exotic animal as a pet!".
And it's even worse when you think about how pumas hunt. They ambush their prey, and kill them with a bite to the neck, snapping the spine and cutting the spinal cord. If Messi decides to hunt one of his humans, they're not even going to see it coming.
I advised a friend who lives on Canada's west coast that he should avoid ear buds when running on trails. A runner heard rustling and the split second was enough for him to turn and fend off a pouncing puma.
Those people, like this couple, are extremely selfish and ignorant to conceive how dangerous wild predatory animals are, that's their nature. And so is Bored Panda.
My thought exactly.
Don't let these assholes fool you into thinking they're doing a "good deed" for the puma. The poor cat is turning a profit for them, they would transfer these animals to actual sanctuaries if they actually had the desire to want what is best for them. Wildlife Tourism is extremely popular in Russia (evidence of these kinds of Instagram accounts can be found in The National Geographic (May 2019) https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/dark-truth-behind-wildlife-tourism) and many of them buy wild animals from breeders where it would be illegal in other parts of the world. Considering they're also ready to "adopt" a leopard and they already take the puma around on a leash outside around humans, they are no better than the "petting zoo" that they allegedly saved them from. It's all a con, maybe the Bored Panda authors of these articles should actually do some research on these harmful Instagram accounts before actually publishing them, it just takes a two minute Google search.
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Yes, because no one that have had a wild animal as a pet has falsely claimed anything of the sort when trying to make excuses for the torture they are putting these animals through.
I read the Nat Geo article and I regret what I said earlier. They are being incredibly selfish. The first BP article even states "According to his wife Mariya, Aleksandr, 38, had always dreamed of owning a big cat, “He always thought about having a lynx – never a puma. It’s hard to explain but we believe that having this puma as a house cat is part of our destiny.” The article also states “We had three days of thinking hard about whether it was moral to keep such an exotic pet, and whether it was common sense to have one. But nothing could fight our sudden wish,” Mariya, 28, told the Mirror. “So we went to the zoo and started negotiations to buy Messi. We were surprised ourselves when they agreed.” So they literally went to a zoo, saw a puma and put in an offer to buy him. And the most upsetting part is that the zoo freaking AGREED. Smh
I see that you're clearly someone who knows better than the professional reporters of The National Geographic who painstakingly travelled to research and interview these grifters who run exotic animal Instagram accounts. You didn't even bother to read the whole National Geographic article where they say these wild animal "adopters" do it for completely selfish reasons, and refuse to let animal sanctuaries intervene even when those sanctuaries have better access to trained veterinary and care professionals. There a lot of big cats that are worse off than this puma who thrive under sanctuary care and living the best life they can get, but no... you want to believe some middle-aged couple from Instagram with no credentials, experience or training relating to the medical care or general maintenance of big cats is way more qualified to care for them. Okay.
Thank you for reconsidering your stance on the matter, Luna. The interviews in the Nat Geo with the Russian IG accounts in the article basically say the same thing, "It's always been a dream", "I've always wished"... they won't allow them to be rehabilitated in a sanctuary because those exotic animals are making them money as well as fulfilling their dreams.
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Know what your are talking about before you write such horrid...damning...rubbish!!!!!!!!
Oh yea, she (Anne) is saying just that, Gracie. I don't get those people either.
You're saying the writers of the multiple Pulitzer Prize winning National Geographic don't know what they're talking about? Lol.
Please stop promoting the keeping of wild animals as pets. Also declawing a cat (of any kind) is cruel and should be banned.
Puma = predator. The end.
Yes, and you can see in the photos how destructive they are indoors; however, this is a better alternative than killing it, if the caretaker has the experience and willingness. Predators usually learn how to hunt from their parents, but they still have basic instincts.
Tak porsto Could you quote a single person in the this thread that think the animal should be let free in the wild? Or is the idiot you?
@Lingon.... I agree, the animal is going to feel confined, and is going to be a risk to its surroundings and caretakers, and it is NOT impossible to arrange for an animal to go to a sanctuary (proper!) out of country. I can name two in the US with excellent reputations that have done so. A pity nobody really did the research. It's "cool" to have a "big cat" pet. (Right till it's lethal, of course.)
Taxi_cabs If you had learned to think, you would know not to straight of take someone's word for it. Just because they say there are no sanctuaries, doesn't mean that there aren't. And as an opposite to you, I'm actually trying to save this planet. How? With knowledge. And yes, death is better than torture, so those butterflies you ripped off their wings were hurting until they died.
Taxi_cabs How nice of you.
Lingon it's really weird what you equate with "torture." Is it ideal? No. But I doubt it's in pain. Cats sleep most of the day anyway, big or small.
@Taxi it is not good to wish such things to anyone! You are so wrong...even to stupid ones who "care" about that animal saying that Messi should be in the wild which it kills him almost immediately....it is bad for you at first place. I agree though that it's dangerous to have predators at home. Maybe not in this particular case though. Personally I would not dare and it is nice that someone did dare and saved this beautiful creature. And in general.... THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES!
M DR Lock up the definition of torture. And chickens eat most of the day, is it then okay to keep them in cages as long as they have food?
No, this is not a better alternative, this is animal abuse. An apartment/house can't give the animal room enough to move around and get exercise, it can't run, jump or do anything to prevent it from getting bored.
The best alternative is to place the injured animals in a accredited, reputable sanctuary.
Is this puma in a tiny cage? No. Does it have shelter? Yes. Your comparisons are weird and extremist.
What do you think a "normal" house cat is?
@Ben Steinberg: A much smaller predator that is more unlikely to kill a human being. You're welcome.
House cats have been domesticated for nearly 10,000 years. You don't domesticate a species in just a few generations, let alone by taking in a wild animal. https://pets.thenest.com/long-dogs-cats-domesticated-8595.html
Taxi_cabs, go f--k yourself somewhere else. The sanctuary is always a possibility. You only read one side of the story, told by this couple which, according to their own words, always wanted a wild animal.
Adorable but unlike with domesticated cats and dogs, putting a wild animal in a home, even raising it by hand from a newborn, does not make it a pet.
This isn't a good idea. Here in Vancouver a man owned a "domesticated" tiger. He came home one day to find his girlfriend dead, half eaten! They are not pets
There’s no way this ends well. Eventually that cat will realize his human is just a big sack of meat.
If they ever need a babysitter...err I mean a pumasitter, I would be more than happy to do it for them here in California <3
Next time it needs feeding, they'll give you a call
Really don't know any gentlemen who eat out of a bowl to be honest.
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Messi eats out of a bowl like a gentleman.
‼️Wild animals are wild animals. No amount of spoilage of an animal will take that away. Just ask Charla Nash who was mauled and nearly killed in 2014 by Travis the chimpanzee. Nash’s friend. Sandy Herold, raised him from a young chimp. Horrific.
Old news and same old dumb as heck brainless morons mentioning the word wild because they are too retarded to know what wild even means
"Aleksandr and Mariya seem happy with their new addition to their family, but the couple’s cat Kira doesn’t get along with Messi. Perhaps, it’s jealous?" With all that attention the puma is getting of course Kira is jealous. She was there first (I assume). Poor kitty. Why are there no pictures with Kira here?
Kira knows she is Messi's prey. In the wild.
Night Owl, it's more likely that Kira is scared of Messi; she's smarter than her humans.
He is adorable if you can afford to feed him. I have two cats, they are two tiny females but they eat like 5 dobermans.
I have 2 cats as well and they are hungry 24/7. Lucky for me, my cats wont eat me alive if they skip a meal unlike the people with freakin puma in flat.
I just read a thing on allthatsinteresting.com that said house cats will start feeding on you almost immediately after death though
@Becca That is an old myth. House cats don't immediately or almost immediately eat you after death, this myth has been debunked by LiveScience.com and National Geography ages ago. Statistically there are a lot more cases of dogs eating their dead owners fresh corpse, while cats only do it as very last resort due to their picky nature. Dogs are more attracted to humans fresh meat due to their physiology. (These cases usually happens to house pets that are locked and trapped inside their house with their dead owners died who of old age for weeks.) If you owned both dogs and cats you'll notice that dogs eat everything (even their own poop) while cats are extremely picky eaters. This is due to how feline and canine taste buds, behaviors and physiology are differently evolved. However we shouldn't really shame animals for their instinct, they're really only trying to survive.
I love this comment so much. I have 4 cats and am looking for a fifth. I can't count the amount of times they have bitten me affectionately (in play). I would defiantly be missing limbs if they were pumas. Lol.
Adorable or not, he's not a domesticated animal, he's not a pet.
Seems to me like they like the social media attention this is all getting- and getting another big cat!??!!! I'm sure a zoo could use Messi for conservation training, I wonder if they have really tried to have the animal homed in a proper wild cat sanctuary.
How do they keep their cat Kira safe when they have to leave Kira and Messi alone?
what about a sanctuary?
.
Can you name 5 sanctuaries around the world? No? Sooo surprised.
Until one day, chomp, chomp...Not a pac man game, possible play out in the future. Messi belongs in a protected area.
He is so beautiful!
Beautiful or not, he's not a pet.
So they make it out to sound like they were saving it and "it can't survive in the wild" and how they would not reccomend anyone domesticate wild cats.. And then they talk about adopting a second one.. Yeah no.. these morons are not helping anyone but themselves.
One bad cut in the kitchen and Messi will be there in 2 sec.
Was this animal imported? As the Puma/cougar/mountain lion is native only to the Americas (specifically all of South America and western North America) and doesn't exist in the wild anywhere else. Attached image shows their range. I live in their territory, and I've seen a single mountain lion (as we call them here) take down a full adult deer. 800px-Coug...a3-png.jpg
They paid cash for it as a cub from a breeder that obviously imported it. "According to his wife Mariya, Aleksandr, 38, had always dreamed of owning a big cat, “He always thought about having a lynx – never a puma. It’s hard to explain but we believe that having this puma as a house cat is part of our destiny.” The article also states “We had three days of thinking hard about whether it was moral to keep such an exotic pet, and whether it was common sense to have one. But nothing could fight our sudden wish,” Mariya, 28, told the Mirror. “So we went to the zoo and started negotiations to buy Messi. We were surprised ourselves when they agreed.”
It was probably imported by the zoo.
Pay attention to your regular cat.... or do you just do this for clicks? If you really care about animals, you'll love them all the same. Shame on you. DO NOT get another animal that belongs in the wild.... unfair to them...
Small cat is probably terrified it is going to be eaten. and >>>https://bigcatrescue.org/
Big deal, they gave a Puma a bath. Let's see if they've got enough stones to give my "domestic" Siamese one. Bring first aid kits.
Judging by the comments Idiocracy was not fiction, but faction. Dear me, pray to whatever divinity for the saviour of our planet. the simple truth is, human ignorance, stupidity and vile hate seems to know no bounds. on the other hand, thank godliness that BP (and the social web in general) is nothing more than an imbecile echo chamber for otherwise socially handicapped people. have fun bored pandas.
Their cat Kira does not get along with Messi? Perhaps she's jealous? More likely she is a bit intimidated by him. Maybe she knows more than her humans. It is never good idea to keep a wild predatory animals as pets. Many of them become, well wild, and really dangerous when mature, grow bigger and are not "cute" anymore; then get discarded. Good luck, Messi, you better behave yourself.
A fucked up puma.
While that is adorable I would crap myself if i had one
same kinda stupid that makes people think it's a good idea to play with grizzly bears. safe or not it's disgusting
For those who are certain it was declawed, I point you to the bathtub photo. He clearly has claws.
Soo cute
Another one: cute or not, he's not a pet.
Lol, Uhlir, you really need to get a life!
She's just lovely. Must be a full time job
Just...No. Those people just wanted a cool pet and use Messi's health as an excuse to keep him. They keep him in a flat...
Why would you walk it around with just a leash and collar, at least use a harness and muzzle
He looks happy. But seeing a declawed puma on a leash ist not leaving me in a happy state of mind. And the message this story sends is abysmal.
Hes not declawed. You can clearly see (retracted) claws when he's wet in the bathtub.
This is really an exception. Messi was born in captivity - in a zoo and had poor health, small size. He was placed in a contact zoo - what cruelty in my opinion! And his life is now much better than it could be, because his owners are also an exception for Russia - they do love him and treat him like a family member. He is quite trained and socialized. So I do not think that this situation will have a bad end, considering the small size and gentle nature of Messi. https://youtu.be/eLNupazlMG8
Да , я согласна с Вами , что дикие животные это не игрушка, и забавы ради заводить не стоит. Месси действительно исключение, ведь в дикой природе он бы не выжил (либо страдал) т.к. у него отклонения от нормы в весе и заболевания. Александр и Мария для него спасение , они очень его любят, и он любит Па и Ма )) это все видно на видео и стримах)) теперь когда есть большой дом , думаю семье гораздо проще . А на счет Ичель там да , немного другая история: раньше она была в цирке, но после одного случая(как я поняла она пришла на место смерти дресировщика) ее начали гнобить остальные гепарды (отбирали еду и били ). В итоге Ичель подарили Александру и Марие , т.к. знали что они давно мечтали о гепарде. Я думаю это лучше чем бедняжка страдала бы от остальных гепардов... и ей 10 лет. Они потихоньку сдружились с Месси и это уже хорошо. Получается Месси с Сашей , а Ичель больше привязалась к Маше . Насколько я поняла из видео Ичель пока не подпускает очень близко никого, но уже не так боится.
Предположу , что Вы из России и отвечу на русском. Полностью согласна ! Александр и Мария молодцы, они приняли Месси как полноценного члена семьи , и делают все чтобы он ни чем не нуждался. Почему вот помочь и приютить обычную больную кошку с улицы это норм а пуму у которой проблемы со здоровьем -это уже издевательство? Ведь Месси нуждался в лечении , которым как раз занялись Александр и Мария .Я не понимаю этих американцев... они ни в чем не рабрались и тупо гонят(
Относительно читы Ичель я думаю что это совсем другая история, так как у людей и гепардов достаточно длинная история совместного существования. Гепарды легко приручаются и даже в дикой природе никогда не атакуют человека.
Предположение верно только относительно языка - мы с вами обе украинки, как я поняла :). Я полностью понимаю беспокойство многих пользователей тут в том, что дикие животные-хищники - это не игрушка. Очень много примеров было того насколько трагически заканчивались попытки содержания разных диких животных в доме - животные как правило почти полностью управляются собственным гормональным фоном (да и не только животные часто бывает), поэтому малейшее отклонение в нем и перед вами совсем другое существо, личность которая вам абсолютно незнакома и неуправляема. История показала нам несколько ужасных примеров чем это заканчивалось. Поинтересуйтесь, это не только большие кошки, а даже приматы - обезьяны (история Тревиса например), которые казалось бы наши биологические родственники. Поэтому многие тут очень против популяризации домашнего содержания диких животных. Но другое дело что бывают редкие исключения из правил, к которым нужно относиться с пониманием и Месси из их числа, я полагаю.
Horrible that animal needs to be in it’s natural habitat.
Well, I've lived with a housecat that thought it was a Puma! Most of 'em do! Lol! Seriously, what happens when it gets upset and it's BIG with CLAWS??
Messi is truly adorable. Whilst I am glad that the couple saved him, and he seems to be docile, and is adapting nicely to domesticated life, he is still a puma. It was wise of them to train Messi to avoid accidents and mishaps. Good luck and best wishes to them all.
Yes, he's still a puma, the wild predatory animal; accidents and mishaps will happen when he gets older.
big catto
this animal is big enough to hurt you if it turns on you...when the hormones kick in to start making babies, the relationship will change
Not if it's been neutered!
A small percentage of wild critters are inclined to domestication. Interbreed them together and one is on the way to domesticating a breed. This is how dogs became wedded to humans(Dump Heap Theory). Wolves naturally tame enough to live at early human's garbage dump were more inclined to human companionship. Its how wild critters trained people to accept them.
Cats domesticated themselves
"But a puma isn’t enough for the Dmitrievs—they have plans to adopt a leopard. Because Messi needs a friend. Might we suggest naming it Ronaldo?" I guess we can expect a new BP article about them
firstly not a leopard but a cheetah. secondly, from January 1, they moved to a large house where there is a special enclosure for Ichel (the name of the cheetah) and in the third Messi made friends with Ichel, conditionally "dividing" the owners. Messi with Sasha, Ichel with Masha
So beautiful I love him/her! I also want one now too!
Oh, another wild animal, NOT native to Russia, living as a pet? They didn't need to buy him from a petting zoo, IF that's true. Seems to be a thing out there, but it's not cool.
I wish Messi had an instagram account! I'm a fan!
I wish Messi had an instagram page. I'm a fan!
I'm just glad they were able to step in and give that puma a way to finish off it's life with a happy ending!
I did see the first post, pleased to see this update, a beautiful Puma, is well cared for and seems so happy as are the parents, if they want another cat, I am sure they plan on a larger home, I am concerned that other people will want a big cat as well !!!
Maybe they should be introduced to those guys from Dubai who have pet leopards, compare notes!
It's when puberty hits that they become dangerous. That lovable snookums is going to mature and get very feisty, soon. I hope they take the proper precautions, but it doesn't look like they understand about wild cats.
Pretty cool. Was not too cool when lady who doesn't live next door had staff release half dozen of same to the wild. Some convinced to move, some disappeared and 3 learned to work together. I would think MBARI and aquarium in Monterey kept her too busy to skew wild life population like that. How many square miles does a breeding set require? What were you not thinking when releasing 6 male teen age equivalent mountain lions on your place? Very self serving Juli. Bobcat-5e2...75ce63.jpg
I understand he was sick but I have an adopted mountain dog and he needs a yard and he needs to run at least twice a week. Now he's staying in a 3 story apartment with us, walks 3x a day and goes to the mountain to run around for 3-4 hours every weekend but that's still not enough. And he's an old dog (10yrs old). So sorry, but I can't help but think that puma needs more than a one bedroom apartment and 2 walks a day. Maybe he has more exercise than in a zoo but that's still doesn't convince me he should stay in a flat.
I don't think any burglars will ever visit the house
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sweet pics
Why are they referring to Messi as an "it" Just ask the gender, geez!
It is very surprising to read that the Petting zoo staff decided to put the innocent Messi to sleep, just because of his health issues, is that the only solution!!!strange. Couldn''t they do what Aleksandr and Mariya have done. Messi has no chance to live with freedom in Jungle, as written in this article. So the only alternative is to take care of him as a pet, the way he is living now with comfort. God bless the couple and Messi. Regards Uma
They paid cash for the puma as a cub from a petting zoo... they did not just discover him one day and decided to take care of him, they were shopping around for a big cat. "According to his wife Mariya, Aleksandr, 38, had always dreamed of owning a big cat, “He always thought about having a lynx – never a puma. It’s hard to explain but we believe that having this puma as a house cat is part of our destiny.” The article also states “We had three days of thinking hard about whether it was moral to keep such an exotic pet, and whether it was common sense to have one. But nothing could fight our sudden wish,” Mariya, 28, told the Mirror. “So we went to the zoo and started negotiations to buy Messi. We were surprised ourselves when they agreed.” So they literally went to a zoo, saw a puma and put in an offer to buy him.
He is beautiful
Cute cat, pretty eyes and all, BUT THOSE CATS ARE WILD CATS AND SHOULD BE ROAMING WILD!! I get pissed when people don't know what they are doing and get over their heads and then something bad happens.
This poor animal's upper fangs were already removed. How can such a big cat go back to the wild??!
I wonder how long it can take for this "pet" to completely mess your home?
They live in a big house with an enormous yard area now. Messi is curious about the house cat but videos show that he's nothing but friendly. The cheetah is named Itchl and is another rescue.
They live in a big house now with an enormous yard.
Messi is just a half size of the full grown cougar.
The picture with the lobster is the best
Well, it's not fit to be released into the wild so God Bless the guy for giving the cat a good life.
It's fit to be released to a accredited, reputable sanctuary. This is not a good, normal life for Messi.
What happens if they decide to have a baby?
I guess Aleksandr might be okay with it, but people might freak out seeing a puma/human baby.
This is precious! I love it! So glad people are willing to take care of something so...Soo...Complicated to deal with. Ya know?
i'm just hoping that's not a water bed Messi is jumping on:D
I'm skeptical about the background story, but what the heck, that is one gorgeous animal!!! I want headbutts and paper shred sessions please.
Hey, how come there were no pictures of Massi sitting in a giant cardboard box?
Fuck, that's a cute cat!
Ed, please go f--k somewhere else.
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I think that I'm in love, such a big cute kitty.
This is my very favorite pussy cat in the whole wide world.
They are so lucky to have such an adorable kitty. I am really jealous. I think that Barista was working triple fast to get that kitty off his counter and out side ;-D
Bored Panda....you should be SHUT DOWN!!!!! Looking at the type of ' stories' you exploit........youve taken something SELFLESS and WONDERFUL and made it your LATEST FLY UNDER YOUR TOTALLY LACKING IN KNOWLEDGE......GUNGHO REPORTING!!!!!!!
The couple are so SELFLESS and WONDERFUL that they were deliberately shopping for a big cat, found a puma cub at a zoo and bought him. Yeah, okay.
So cute
Sooooo cute!!!
Holy Molly, the amount of braindead ignorant "do-good" muricans here is astounding. This particular cougar is handicapped, he has problems with his kidneys and other organs, also he is a dwarf i.e. 60% smaller than normal adult male, therefore he would just DIE in the nature and get bullied/harassed in sanctuary by other animals. The life he was given by Sasha and Masha is ultimately the best life he could ever get in his special case, which is also would become obvious to any of you if you gave a damn about just looking at Messi's channel.
Braindead muricans? Are you speaking about yourself? As you probably are, let me try and explain this to you. 1. There are many countries in the world, not just USA. 2. There are wildlife rescues that tend to the animals and slowly teach them to be wild again, you do not just throw in a new animal into a group. 3. Those that you don't agree with in this thread, most likely have an education. Listen to us instead, if you truly care about animals wellbeing.
Боже, один из немногих реально адекватный комментарий... когда американцы ни в чем не разобрались и возомнили , что они тут видите ле "мозг мира" и перечить им нельзя ... тупо фейспалм. Месси ведь повезло , Александр и Мария очень любят его и это можно увидеть по видео и стримам💖
He's BEAUTIFUL!
Im in love with those eyes
What a beautiful cat. If it is sick & wouldn't survive without all the attention, let it be.
This Is adorable
This is irresponsible and selfish.
Messi is adorable. I'm so happy that she has a good home and was not euthanized.
Got to love all the "animal lovers" who would prefer that this adorable animal be dead than living with these people who love him 🥴
What a pity ' Bored Panda' has to give only PART of the story!!!! Sasha is part of a PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY that work with and have great knowledge of big cats!!! Sasha has studied the phychology of these wonderful animals and the Only reason they eventually decided to take this MASSIVE decision, was to allow this beautiful animal a good life, it would have been denied. They DIDNT have to share this decision with the world...frankly although I would MISS them.....I wish they would STOP and live in PEACE and not under the often CRUEL UNKNOWLEDGEABLE SCRUTINY that many think they have the RIGHT to offer!!!!!!!!!
This is their own words, they were shopping for a big cat and came across a puma cub at a zoo who agreed to sell it to them. "According to his wife Mariya, Aleksandr, 38, had always dreamed of owning a big cat, “He always thought about having a lynx – never a puma. It’s hard to explain but we believe that having this puma as a house cat is part of our destiny.” The article also states “We had three days of thinking hard about whether it was moral to keep such an exotic pet, and whether it was common sense to have one. But nothing could fight our sudden wish,” Mariya, 28, told the Mirror. “So we went to the zoo and started negotiations to buy Messi. We were surprised ourselves when they agreed.”
For all of the people who couldn't take the time to read the article who think that Messi belongs in a sanctuary, the article clearly states "Messi (the big catto, not the talented and celebrated pro footballer) was sold to a petting zoo in Penza when he was just three months old. He was smaller than usual. He had health issues. He couldn’t live in a zoo. Nor could he live in a wildlife sanctuary." The article also states "However, there were some critics. They urged the couple to send the puma to a wildlife sanctuary. But Aleksandr and Mariya state that Messi couldn’t survive in the wild. It should also be noted that the couple don’t, in fact, encourage anyone to domesticate pumas and other big cats: Messi is an exception because he is exceptionally gentle, calm, and sickly." Please read the article before you argue your opinion to strangers on the internet.
The accredited, reputable sanctuary is not a wilderness!!! These sanctuaries are made for wild animals like Messi!!!! Luna, please read other comments, when Mariya stated that owning a wild animal was her husbands dream..... etc. They own this wild cat for their selfish reasons, not to save it.
I love Bored Panda. I gets my mind off all the sad and sensationalized news the on the media over and over again, Bored Panda is a great way to start and finish the day. Big thanks to all contributors and organizers.
Holy moley, thats a big cat, he must be incredibly strong. Good thing he seems unaware of just what he is.
Waiting for news about puma slaying their owners. Just give it some time......
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That's what they said; this wild, sick predatory animal belongs to a accredited, reputable sanctuary.
Only in Russia
unfortunately not... I was reading an article last Sunday about the increasing market for feline cubs all over the world... such a pity...
In private households? Wow. I'm equally jealous and appalled.
Apparently there are more tigers in texas than there are in the wild
I follow this couple on Instagram. I think what they are doing is absolutely wonderful. This cat is an exception because it's small and cannot be released into the wild due to its size and health issues. It gets along with other animals and has never hurt anyone. So I have to disagree with you people thinking this is a bad idea. The fact is is that this cat loves its owners. My son has a house cat that is so mean. I would take Mesci over that nasty cat of my sons any day...
Follow their own, one- sided story on Instragram, but don't belive it, it's self promotion of their selfish motives.
People are so ignorant. READ the entire post and think before you type.
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Owners forget to feed him twice and next day... "I didn't need that arm, I can totally exist without an arm... anything for the good boi..." ;)
Omg I have never seen any thing like it in my life it is super cute but kids don't get any ideas ha.
Don't get the obsessive push towards, it is wild animal, not a pet. Sure it is, but so where our pets before they where domesticated. But that is fine, since that is a long while ago. And now it's the time to stop domestication, when we are isolated more then ever from nature? And how about the individual point?Probably most cats like to be in the wild, while some might be fine with that situation.
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I follow I am puma on Instagram. I love seeing Messi's adventures.
What adventures?
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Man if only it had been Pumas top domesticated themselves vs the cats we know today
Why would people downvote this? Yall wouldn't have preferred to have house pumas vs horse cats? Also do some research people cats domesticated themselves! I was saying to bad it wasn't pumas instead!
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Yall are fucking stupid!! Dumb ass SJW cucks
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Those eyes...she looks so happy
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In short the critics are asking for Messi to be put down/put to sleep, right? I'm pretty sure that in the article, there was only one place in this world for him, and right next to Death.
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That sweet little face! And you can tell Messi just loves his mom and dad so much. They really did luck out to find such a gentle big cat. My house cats aren’t always that gentle and loving.
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I want one and probably every reader of this article does ;-)
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Perfect example of nature vs nurture. Goes the same for humans. If we show love and affection for kids, they will grow up to show other people love in return.
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Great! Now I want a Puma!
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If they open a rent-a-puma for women to stay safe from being raped and murdered it wouldn't be such a bad thing.