Support the Big Cat Public Safety Act

Urge your federal legislators to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act. 

Big cats such as lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, and jaguars are wild animals and belong in the wild. Yet today, there are more tigers in captivity in the United States than in the wild. Individuals and families often purchase them as babies to be kept as pets, ignoring just how large the animals grow. As a result, many are left to waste away in cages in backyards and basements. The Big Cat Public Safety Act would help end this cruelty. 

Currently, there are no federal requirements for private ownership of big cats.  Although the Captive Wildlife Safety Act does restrict the transportation and sale of big cats across state lines and the national border and some states require licensing or registering of the animals, there is limited effort to enforce compliance with the registration of the animals or interstate transportation of the animals. Without stronger regulations and enforcement, the big cat breeding and exhibition industry will continue to grow.  Currently, household dogs and cats are more heavily regulated than big cats. 

What the Big Cat Public Safety Act will do

• Prohibit the private possession of big cats born after the enactment of the Big Cat Public Safety Act and require licensing by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of all lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species currently owned by individuals 
• Require current owners to register their animals with local first responders and animal control officers 
• Restrict direct contact between the public and big cats 
• Prohibit private individuals and unaccredited facilities from breeding of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species 

Did you know...

• Businesses that profit from exhibiting cubs for photo opportunities can legally call themselves sanctuaries or rescues even though they often engage in ongoing cycles of breeding and selling cubs once they are approximately 12 weeks old 
• Many of the cubs are sold into the so-called exotic pet trade while others end up on the black market to be sold for their body parts 
• The ongoing inbreeding and confinement results in numerous health problems for big cats, including deformed paws, hip dysplasia, and cataracts 
• Since 1990, there have been nearly 400 dangerous incidents involving captive big cats in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Five children and 20 adults lost their lives and others lost limbs or suffered traumatic injuries