A new poll conducted by BigCatsWildCats.com reveals overwhelming public opposition to private ownership of lions, tigers, and other exotic cats. Here’s the full press release detailing the findings.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Poll Finds Overwhelming Opposition to Keeping Big Cats as Pets
LOS ANGELES, CA – May 09, 2025 — A recent poll conducted by BigCatsWildCats.com revealed that 84% of respondents believe big cats like lions and tigers should not be kept as pets. The poll, which gathered responses from over 1,000 site visitors, underscores widespread 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 come from more than 50 countries, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Colombia, Nigeria, and many other nations.
Protecting 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.
- 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.
“Visitors to our site often express deep concern for the welfare of these animals,” said a spokesperson for BigCatsWildCats.com. “Many commenters mention that big cats belong in the wild or in well-managed sanctuaries—not in someone’s backyard. They’re worried about mistreatment, improper care, and the risk to both animals and people when wild predators are kept as pets.”
About BigCatsWildCats.com
BigCatsWildCats.com is a global 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 www.BigCatsWildCats.com.
# # #
Media Contact:
BigCatsWildCats.com
Email: newsroom@bigcatswildcats.com
Website: www.BigCatsWildCats.com
0 Comments