Tell Your State to Ban Big Cats as Pets
Shockingly, lions, tigers and leopards weighing up to 600 pounds are actually being kept in backyards, basements and even city apartments. Bought as adorable cubs, they quickly outgrow their owners’ ability to care for them.
Overwhelmed by the animal’s strength and care needs, many owners soon realize
that they are not able to care for these wild animals, or remain in close
contact with them. Some owners may seek out zoos or sanctuaries; however these
facilities are often full to capacity and unable to take in more animals. These
unwanted big cats often end up languishing in backyard chains or basement cages,
are sent to roadside zoos, or even “set free” to fend for themselves.
Not only do big cats present a significant threat to the owners, but they also put other members of the community, both people and pets, in danger. There are a growing number of reports of big cats escaping, causing injury to the public, and costing the public thousands of dollars in recovery expenses.
To protect animals and improve public safety, IFAW is working in states throughout the US to ban private ownership of big cats as pets. Only about half of the states in the US have laws or regulations addressing the issue of big cats as pets. About 20 states have bans on the private ownership of big cats such as tigers and lions. Others have minimal restrictions that only apply to certain species, have lax permitting requirements or have no laws at all.
Take Action:
Not only do big cats present a significant threat to the owners, but they also put other members of the community, both people and pets, in danger. There are a growing number of reports of big cats escaping, causing injury to the public, and costing the public thousands of dollars in recovery expenses.
To protect animals and improve public safety, IFAW is working in states throughout the US to ban private ownership of big cats as pets. Only about half of the states in the US have laws or regulations addressing the issue of big cats as pets. About 20 states have bans on the private ownership of big cats such as tigers and lions. Others have minimal restrictions that only apply to certain species, have lax permitting requirements or have no laws at all.
Take Action:
North Carolina
Legislation just introduced by Senator Ed Jones, S. 1477, will
protect the public against the health and safety risks from dangerous wild
animals kept as pets and significantly improve the welfare of these captive wild
animals.
Need assistance on what to say or what steps to take?
Contact info@ifaw.org to find out what
you can do.
An unhappy captive. An animal's natural environment is critical for a healthy and long life Photo © IFAW
