An aggressive European wildcat mistaken for an abandoned kitten

They thought she was a cute kitten – until her claws came out.

A German animal shelter got an unpleasant surprise when workers discovered that an apparently abandoned kitten was actually an aggressive European wildcat.

The Good Samaritan found the tiny creature on the road and after taking it home found it was feisty and didn’t want to eat, so he took it to the animal shelter in Tierheim Bergheim, Dodo informed.

The shelter, located in Bergheim, about 40 km from Cologne, immediately identified it as a European wildcat the size of a large domestic cat and a protected species native to the area.

Tierheim Bergheim published a video in which the adorable animal suddenly starts hissing his Facebook pagealong with a signature explaining that it should be moved Retscheider Hofwildlife station.

“The shelter staff immediately recognized that this was not an ordinary domestic kitten,” wildlife center spokesman Retscheider Hof told the facility.

“Specific features and behavior indicated that they were dealing with a wildcat. This prompted the animal shelter staff to contact us immediately.”

The wildcat is now staying at Retscheider Hof with another cat of its kind and the pair will remain there until they are old enough to be released into the wild.

“We are currently working hard to provide both animals with the support and care they need,” the wildlife center spokesperson continued.

“We make every effort to make their stay as comfortable as possible. Their every progress is followed here with great enthusiasm and hope.”