RESCUED FROM THE FLAMES CATS FROM SOUTH GET LOVING CARE.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer

ROSAMOND - Among the refugees from California's fire siege are 36 exotic felines whose San Diego County compound burned.

Evacuated as flames approached the SOS Care center in Valley Center, the margays, sand cats, tigrinas and other small wild cats are now boarding at the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound outside Rosamond.

``They're all OK - a little bewildered, but OK,'' said Camille Valenzuela, a board member for the nonprofit Rosamond compound.

The cats, all relatively small breeds whose numbers are dwindling in the wild, are expected to stay for months until the San Diego County center can rebuild.

``One of the buildings is supposed to be in pretty good shape,'' said Sandy Masek, the Rosamond compound's general manager. ``Some of the cages may be salvageable.''

SOS Care director Pat Quillen, who is known internationally for her work breeding small rare felines, was in Spain when the San Diego County fires broke out. She was expected back Friday.

The cats were driven up in four vehicles over two hectic days, with the evacuation slowed by downed phone lines and road closures caused by the fast-moving fires.

``We were aware the fire was in their area,'' Masek said. ``We tried the day before to get in touch with them, but the lines were down.''

Finally, SOS Care staffers got through to the Rosamond compound's Orange County veterinarian, who contacted the staff in Rosamond.

Driving out the cats took a long time, Masek said. ``One minute a route would be open, the next minute it would be closed.''

Like the leopards, jaguars and other cats in Rosamond, the San Diego County animals are used in captive breeding programs to help ensure survival of their species.

In their temporary Rosamond quarters, most of the newcomers are staying in a new building connected to a large unfinished compound meant for tigers and jaguars.

The building is heated, which is good for the refugees, because the approaching Antelope Valley winter will be colder than they were used to in San Diego County, Valenzuela said.

They are eating raw chicken and horse meat, the Rosamond center's usual menu. Preparation takes longer because the meat must be chopped up into smaller chunks for the smaller cats.

Exotic Feline Breeding Compound staffers said feeding the new arrivals is stretching the nonprofit center's finances. People wishing to help or make donations to the Rosamond compound can call the center at [phone] or mail donations to EFBC Feline Conservation Center, HCR 1 Box 84, Rosamond, CA 93560.

The Rosamond center admits visitors 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Wednesday, though the San Diego County cats are not in an area open to the public. Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children.

Charles F. Bostwick, [phone]

chuck.bostwick(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color in AV edition only; 2 ran in AV and SAC editions only) This margay cat, right, rests comfortably in Rosamond's Exotic Feline Breeding Compound after its rescue from the fire threatening SOS Care in San Diego. At right below, a mother and child leopard in a cage.

(3 -- ran in AV and Valley editions only) This Tigrina cat was among the animals rescued and brought to Rosamond's Exotic Feline Breeding Compound.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer