A spotted, fluffy fur ball, unique to Critter Care Rehabilitation Centre, is getting all the attention these days.

A conservation officer turned up at the south Langley centre with a baby cougar a couple weeks ago.

It’s a first for the rehab centre, which helps B.C.’s orphaned and injured mammals, including black bear cubs, fawns, skunks, raccoons, otters, beavers and coyotes, among others.

The closest things to a cougar the centre has ever helped are bobcats.

In one case, a bobcat came in with an abscessed tooth and was near death, unable to eat. Critter Care founder Gail Martin took him to a dentist and he was eventually returned to the wild.

Andre is the name of this kitten. He has piercing blue eyes, adorable spots and a playful nature.

“It’s hard to imagine him as a big boy cougar,” said Critter Care’s Maureen Binnie.

“He will be handsome, though.”

Andre comes from Squamish. He was found by a couple who were walking along a road. He approached them, which is an indicator he was in need of help.

The couple picked him up and called B.C.’s conservation office.

One of the officers came and got him. He didn’t have the heart to put him down, so now Andre is in Langley.

By law, Critter Care is not allowed to rehabilitate cougars, so founder Gail Martin has been on the phone in an attempt to find the little guy proper placement.

A top-notch cat sanctuary in Minnesota is going to take him. Sadly, he can’t be put back into the wild, but he will be safe and have a lot of room to roam in his new home, she said.

If he was going to be rehabilitated for return to the wild, Critter Care staff would have no contact with him, to improve his chances, but now they are able to spend time with him.

His eyes are already starting to turn colour and eventually he’ll lose his spots, said Martin.