: Cheetahs are listed in CITES Appendix I , the highest level of international protection. Commercial international trade of wild-caught cheetahs is strictly prohibited.
For the rare entities (like zoos) that can legally care for a cheetah, the financial requirements are massive: how to buy a cheetah
: Even in states that previously had no regulations (like Alabama, Nevada, and North Carolina), the federal law now supersedes local policy regarding private pet ownership. Cost of Ownership : Cheetahs are listed in CITES Appendix I
: Under the Big Cat Public Safety Act , it is illegal for private citizens to buy, breed, or possess big cats, including cheetahs. and North Carolina)
: Only AZA-accredited zoos , research facilities, and registered sanctuaries may legally possess them under strict federal and state permits.