Poll Finds Overwhelming Opposition to Keeping Big Cats as Pets
The Californer/10313410

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- In a recent poll conducted by BigCatsWildCats.com, 84% of respondents believe big cats like lions and tigers should not be kept as pets. The poll gathered responses from over 1,000 site visitors from around the world, and underscored broad concern about the ethics and safety of exotic animal ownership.

The online survey asked, "Should big cats like lions and tigers be kept as pets?" Of the 1,028 respondents, only 16% supported private ownership, while a clear majority—867 voters—said "No."

Visitors to the website, which has been a source of wild cat conservation information for over a decade, come from more than 50 countries, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Colombia, Nigeria, and many other nations.

The Movement to Protect Big Cats

Over the years, several countries have enacted legislation to protect both animals and people:

-        United States: The Big Cat Public Safety Act, signed into law in December 2022, prohibits the private ownership of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars. It also bans public contact with these animals and restricts their exhibition to licensed facilities such as zoos and sanctuaries.

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-        Austria: Forbids keeping big cats in private residences, allowing them only in accredited zoos.

-        Greece: Big cats are not considered companion animals, and private possession is banned without a permit.

-        Slovakia: Keeping, breeding, and trading big cats has been mostly prohibited since 2022.

-        Denmark: Imposes strict regulations that effectively prevent private individuals from keeping dangerous predators. Special permits are required.

-        Thailand: Keeping big cats is mostly illegal since a 1992 law was enacted prohibiting the possession of protected wildlife.

Why It Matters

Big cats may look majestic or even playful in online videos, but experts warn that they are unpredictable predators with complex physical, emotional, and dietary needs. Keeping them in private homes not only places the animal at risk, but also endangers caretakers and the public.

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About BigCatsWildCats.com

BigCatsWildCats.com is a hub for educational content on wild cat species, conservation efforts, and public engagement. The site features species profiles, habitat information, conservation alerts, and interactive features like polls, designed to encourage wild cat conservation awareness and responsible action.

To learn more or explore wild cat facts visit BigCatsWildCats at https://bigcatswildcats.com/

Download a copy of this press release at: New Poll: Majority Say Big Cats Don't Belong in Homes - BigCatsWildCats (https://bigcatswildcats.com/new-poll-majority-say-big-cats-dont-belong-in-homes/)