: It is now illegal for private individuals to breed, sell, purchase, or acquire big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and cougars.
: The law also prohibits public contact with big cats, ending "cub-petting" photo opportunities that previously fueled commercial breeding cycles. 2. Financial and Logistical Reality buy a big cat
: Most standard veterinarians will not treat big cats due to liability and lack of specialized equipment, such as the heavy-duty "squeeze cages" required for safe exams. 3. Ethical and Safety Concerns What You Need to Know About the Big Cat Public Safety Act : It is now illegal for private individuals
: Costs could exceed $100,000 for a single animal, including secure enclosures with high walls and caged-in ceilings to prevent dangerous escapes. : Ongoing expenses typically surpassed $10,000 per year
: Ongoing expenses typically surpassed $10,000 per year. This includes feeding up to 15 pounds of raw meat daily and specialized veterinary care.
Buying a "big cat" (such as a lion, tiger, or leopard) is effectively in the United States as of 2022. While some may still seek these animals out of fascination, federal law now treats them as "prohibited wildlife species," strictly limiting their possession to accredited zoos, universities, and sanctuaries. 1. Legal Prohibitions
: Individuals who already owned big cats before the law was enacted were allowed to keep them only if they registered them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by June 18, 2023. No new big cats can be acquired by these owners.