Big Cats: Caged & Confined in the Land of the Free

Most of the tigers in America -- along with more than 10,000 lions, leopards and other big cats here – aren’t found at accredited zoos.  Instead, these big cat victims of the exotic animal trade live in cramped and appalling conditions in substandard sanctuaries, unregulated roadside and amateur zoos, backyards – and even city apartments.  Not only are these magnificent felines at risk – but obviously, so are people living nearby these dangerous animals.   

In August 2005, Haley Hilderbrand, a 17-year-old Kansas teenager, was tragically killed by a Siberian tiger at a USDA-licensed wildlife facility while having her picture taken.  In other cases, children have been dragged under fences and killed or severely injured by big cats.  
 
Please contact your Representative to cosponsor Haley's Act to prohibit direct contact between big cats and to increase the fine for violations of the animal welfare act (promoting better care of tigers, lions and other big cats already in captivity, since they can never be safely returned to their native habitats). 

And send a donation to help IFAW’s “Big Cats in the U.S.A.” Campaign. Let’s work together to end the cruel confinement of these extraordinary animals who are clearly “born to be wild.”

	Discover why most wildlife “sanctuaries” are not safe for your family
	Wildlife sanctuaries are popular with families.  But tragically, many visitors have been seriously injured or killed by big cats kept at USDA-licensed facilities. Read this before you bring your kids to a sanctuary to see these wild and dangerous animals.
	See shocking photos of wildlife facility animal abuse
	To focus the public attention on this growing crisis, IFAW investigators went undercover at several animal sanctuaries.  View a slideshow exposing the public safety and animal welfare violations we found.
	Animal Rescue: IFAW relocates abused tigers to an authentic lifelong care sanctuary
	See the photos from a daring IFAW rescue and relocation of 24 Bengal tigers.
	Take Action: Keep Big Cats in the Wild
	Join in IFAW’s campaign to protect public safety and ban cruel, private ownership of big cats  … and to provide better care for those animals already in captivity.