Fresno County cat haven monitors two snow leopards with Valley fever

Two snow leopards at Project Survival’s Cat Haven in Dunlap were diagnosed with Valley fever, putting the Fresno County sanctuary on high alert as the fungal disease continues to draw concern across California. The infection can affect both animals and humans, and the case has reopened attention on how the Central Valley’s dusty conditions can turn routine outdoor exposure into a health risk.

Project Survival’s Cat Haven is a nonprofit wild cat park in the Sierra foothills that says it is dedicated to preserving wild cats through education and captive-breeding and conservation work. The sanctuary still lists public tours Wednesday through Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and it advertises special experiences including a Paint with a Snow Leopard program. Its own snow leopard material describes the species as high-mountain animals with long tails that help with balance and warmth.

Valley fever is caused by a fungus that lives in soil and dirt and can be inhaled when dust is kicked up. California public health information says the disease is present in parts of the state, and the risk is especially relevant in the Central Valley, where dry ground and wind can stir up the spores. KMPH has also reported that Valley fever cases have continued to climb in California, while a Fresno-area family in Lemoore has spoken publicly about its experience with the illness.

The Cat Haven case stands out because the sanctuary has dealt with Valley fever before. A caption in KMPH’s snow-leopard gallery noted that Titan, a lion at Project Survival’s Cat Haven, died because of the disease. That history makes the new diagnoses more than an isolated veterinary issue for the Dunlap site.

The disease is not limited to big cats. It can sicken people, and it can also affect dogs, which is why Fresno County residents spending time outdoors in dusty conditions should stay alert alongside pet owners. The concern is especially plain in the Central Valley, where everyday activities can put people, pets and animals in the path of the fungus.

Project Survival’s Cat Haven has also highlighted other recent animal health challenges, including Bahati, a snow leopard that recovered after a rattlesnake bite and seizure before returning to the sanctuary. For a place built around rare cats and public education, the latest Valley fever diagnoses underline how closely wildlife care in Dunlap is tied to the region’s broader health landscape.