: Individuals who already owned big cats before the law was enacted were allowed to keep them only if they registered them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by June 18, 2023. No new big cats can be acquired by these owners.
The , signed into law on December 20, 2022, fundamentally changed the landscape of big cat ownership: buy a big cat
: Costs could exceed $100,000 for a single animal, including secure enclosures with high walls and caged-in ceilings to prevent dangerous escapes. : Individuals who already owned big cats before
: Most standard veterinarians will not treat big cats due to liability and lack of specialized equipment, such as the heavy-duty "squeeze cages" required for safe exams. 3. Ethical and Safety Concerns What You Need to Know About the Big Cat Public Safety Act The , signed into law on December 20,
: It is now illegal for private individuals to breed, sell, purchase, or acquire big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and cougars.
Before these bans, the cost and effort required to "properly" house a big cat were astronomical. Experts from organizations like Big Cat Rescue highlight the extreme burdens:
: Ongoing expenses typically surpassed $10,000 per year. This includes feeding up to 15 pounds of raw meat daily and specialized veterinary care.