Private Ownership of Big Cats

[Tony]

What's your opinion on private ownership of big cats?

Im fine with it, but I think big cats should be subject to the same laws as cows and horses, and the laws should be left up to the states. As it is now, you could buy a lion cub for less than $1000 and raise it in your living room.


http://www.hsus.org/ace/16282

WASHINGTON – The HSUS applauded two U.S. Senators for introducing legislation today to crack down on the burgeoning pet trade in exotic big cats and urged the full Senate to take quick action on their legislation, “the Captive Wildlife Safety Act.”
There are thousands of exotic big cats kept as “pets” in the United States, languishing in substandard conditions and posing a clear and present danger to public safety. For example, an estimated 5,000 tigers are in private hands in the United States – a population that in all likelihood surpasses the world’s wild tiger population

[AmateurScientist]

Cows and horses are herd animals who need only enough land to run and to graze. When they are kept as pets or as farm animals, they live in conditions which are not vastly different from those in their natural habitats. They are not square pegs forced into round holes. Furthermore, these animals have been thoroughly domesticated. Their dispositions allow them to live among and pose little threat to humans around them. They are not hunters; rather they are prey animals in the wild.

In contrast, big cats in their natural habitats need vast territories to roam in search of prey. Of the big cats, only lions are sociable and live in groups (albeit mostly family groups). The others are solitary animals. Even when prey is plentiful, their territories are much larger than the ones provided by human captors when these animals are kept as pets. Therefore, the big cats kept as pets in the U.S. live in conditions which are for them deplorable. They require a very large--and very expensive--amount of fresh meat daily. Many are undernourished and lack sufficient veterinary care. They are the square pegs forced to live in round holes.

In addition, no big cats are truly domesticated. They retain their inherent wildness, even when they are conditioned to live among humans. As hunters, big cats are dangerous animals to live among, as they can go into predatory mode easily if provoked, even unwittingly.

In summary, it is a bad deal for the cats and for the humans nearby when big cats are kept as pets. The animals live in sub-par conditions compared to their natural habitats, and the neighborhood people around them live in fear of their getting loose. Also, most people simply cannot afford to feed and care for big cats throughout their lifespans.

As much as I love little cats and big cats, it isn't fair to the cat or practical for me to keep a big cat. I think the same is true for nearly all persons, save some very rich persons with lots of land and lots of time on their hands.

I don't think laws and regulations concerning cows and horses are adequate to deal with large predators like big cats. Restrictions on big cat ownership should be tightened to discourage it. I think it is far too easy to get one without fully appreciating the enormous commitment caring for one sufficiently entails.

AS

[Bentspoon]

I am about to start a domestic cat leash law movement

Vermin!!!

Bentspoon

[Tormac]

For the obvious reasons that AmaturScientist pointed out, the private ownership of any particularly dangerous predator, and especially a large feline should be restricted to ensure the safety of the public.

I may be easy on second hand smoke, but as the owner of a small cat, I have to say I'm glad my little tiger only weighs nine pounds. He's mean enough as it is at that size.

Oddly enough this was an issue in Toledo, about 10 years ago IIRC. A woman had a pet cougar. The animal was de-clawed. I no longer remember where she got it from. Neighbors started to complain, and the city forced her to get rid of the cat. She and the cat moved to a farm outside of the city limits.

I have to say if my neighbor had a large cat for a pet, I'd never be to far from my .223. The neighbors who did not control their rotweiler was bad enough.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Tony
What's your opinion on private ownership of big cats?

I think it's great; the private zoos areound here are wonderful. :p

(Seriously, I once got to hold a young tiger on my lap (well, about 1/3rd on my lap). That was really amazing!)