Support the Big Cat Public Safety Act

The Big Cat Public Safety Act is a critical animal protection bill that would protect thousands of big cats from suffering. Big cats belong in the wild, not in someone’s backyard. In her natural habitat, a tiger’s territory stretches for miles. She can’t thrive when she’s chained in a basement or confined to a barren cage. It’s time for our elected officials to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act into law.

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

Big cats such as lions and tigers 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. 

The Big Cat Public Safety Act amends the Captive Wild Safety Act to prohibit the private possession of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrids of these species. People who already possess these animals may keep them but must register them so first responders and animal control officers are aware of their presence in the community. 

What the Big Cat Public Safety Act will do 

  • Prohibits the private possession of big cats  
  • People who currently possess big cats must register them with local first responders and animal control officers  
  • Prohibits exhibitors (such as circuses and zoos) from allowing direct contact between the public and big cats, including activities like cub petting and bottle feeding  
  • Prohibits private individuals from breeding lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species 

Big Cat Public Safety Act

 

Did you know...

  • Businesses like roadside zoos that profit from offering cubs for photo opportunities or petting can legally call themselves sanctuaries or rescues  
  • Once they’re too big for cub petting, many of the cubs are sold into the wild pet trade while others end up on the black market to be sold for their body parts 
  • Ongoing inbreeding and cruel 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 

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