Ticking time-bombs: the big cats epidemic isn’t going away on its own

Now more than ever, Congress needs to pass the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (HR 4122) to protect big cats and humans from the exotic pet trade.

The growing epidemic of U.S. big cat possession and breeding—and the severe danger and cruelty involved—continues to resonate with the American public and begs the question: what else will it take for this inconceivable madness to end?

Just last Friday, 20/20 aired a one-hour special revealing the dangers of exotic pet ownership, with big cats as a main highlight. The piece echoed the rallying cries of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s U.S. Big Cats Campaign.

As much as we may know about the dangers of keeping these animals in private possession, especially in light of Zanesville Ohio, it is always shocking to see the tragic realities exposed.

Check out this revealing clip wherein the owner of the Animal Haven Zoo in WeyauwegaWisconsin (a state with absolutely no restrictions on big cat ownership) offers an adult female tiger to an under-cover reporter posing as a first-time buyer.

The roadside zoo owner later admits it is very easy to get a USDA license and that he has no way of knowing whether the buyer will be responsible. His one-word answer upon being asked whether it is too easy to own a tiger in the U.S.?

Absolutely.

To watch the full show and see what else it highlights about the dangerous and prolific U.S. big cat trade, you can go to: http://g.ifaw.org/Otb1E1

Now more than ever, we need members of Congress to join our rally cry: big cats kept as pets and traded for profit are ticking time-bombs.  Please ask your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor  the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (HR 4122) today.

--TC

PS: On September 20, 2012, IFAW is joining the sponsors of the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act, U.S. Reps. Howard ‘Buck’ McKeon (R-CA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), in issuing a press conference on Capitol Hill. Stay tuned!