WATCH + ACTION: Confessions of a big cat owner

Two months ago we shared the story of our efforts to move Tasha the cougar and Nikita the white tigress to a sanctuary in Minnesota.

This week, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is once again helping fund the move of two tigers (Nora and Katie) from the same facility in Ohio to the WildCat Haven sanctuary in Oregon.

The overwhelming responsibility of caring for a big cat is too often overlooked. Making the right choice and finding suitable sanctuaries for them to live out their lives is emotionally tough for owners. In the following video, big cat owner Denise Flores talks about the realities of owning tigers and a cougar and the reason why she now has to say good-bye to the animals she has grown to love.

Also this week, according to the Columbus Dispatch, the Ohio House voted in favor of Senate Bill 310 which would ban the acquisition, sale and breeding of big cats and other restricted species. The bill is now in the hands of Ohio governor John Kasich who said he will be proud to sign the bill into law.

These are encouraging signs, but we need your help to Urge your Member of Congress to support legislation that would protect big cats from cruelty and neglect at a federal level, and help keep communities across the United States safe from captive big cats.

-- MB

Take action on behalf of big cats already in the United States and to prevent any future big cats from suffering their same fate. Use our simple form to share your views with your representative.