The Keeping of Big Cats as “Pets” in the US

Despite federal laws prohibiting the keeping of big cats as pets in the US, thousands of these animals are still held in captivity in private hands. This trend has led to deplorable conditions for these creatures, with only a small percentage being kept in accredited facilities like zoos. The lack of resources, expertise, and facilities among private carers often leads to neglect and suffering for the big cats, who have specialized dietary needs and require veterinary care that most local vets cannot provide.

The issue of keeping big cats as pets not only harms the animals themselves but also poses significant dangers to humans. Incidents of escapes and attacks on humans within private enclosures have resulted in injuries and fatalities. While a federal law has been passed to prohibit the future keeping of big cats as pets, the legislation does not apply to those currently held in private facilities, leaving thousands of animals to endure a lifetime of misery in captivity.