A dangerous ’pet’

Since 1990, captive tigers alone have killed eight people and over 60 adults and children have been injured. A cute and cuddly cub quickly grows into a large, and often violent, carnivore that few pet owners can handle or afford. People forget that these family “pets” or “tame” roadside show animals that suddenly turn vicious are actually wild animals! In addition, most pet owners rarely have adequate enclosures to contain a 300-500 pound cat. There have been numerous reports of large cats roaming through people’s backyards and terrorizing neighborhoods. As well as the obvious dangers of physical injury, big cats can also transmit disease to humans, such as Tuberculosis.

Animal cruelty

Due to lack of money and/or knowledge, the average pet owner is unable to provide the appropriate housing, secure containment, adequate nutrition or proper veterinary care that these wild animals need. Nor can most people meet the complex social, emotional and behavioral requirements of wild animals. Sadly, as a result of this, most big cats live out their lives alone, chained in backyards or neglected in cramped enclosures. Pet owners often try to make these wild animals
“safer” pets and subject them to painful surgical procedures, such as declawing and dental extractions. Further, many veterinarians are unable or unwilling to treat dangerous, wild animals. Many adult cats, and other exotic animals, face even more bleak futures when their owners attempt to get rid of them. The majority of these “pets” end up in unregulated roadside zoos, pseudo-sanctuaries or back in the pet trade. Some big cats are even shot in private hunts, euthanized
or are killed illegally for their organs and body parts. 

Article source :  http: //www.ifaw.org/ifaw/dfiles/file_480.pdf

In our consumer driven society , exotic animals are seen as just another commodity. People buy large cats such as tigers , lions , cougars and leopards because cubs are adorable , because dangerous animals seem exciting , or simply because their exotic origin makes them appealing ?

It is estimated that there are 10,000 to 20,000 large cats and 5000 to 7000 tigers ( a critically endangered species in the wild ) in private ownership in the United States. In a matter of mouse clicks , the average Internet user has access to a number of websites selling a variety of afforadable , exotic animals , including many species of big cats. It’s as easy and as inexpensive as buying a purebred dog.

Articles source : http: //www.ifaw.org/ifaw/dfiles/file_480.pdf.