There are more tigers in US captivity than remain in the wild globally, with the welfare of captive tigers varying enormously between accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and exploitative roadside attractions.
The captive tiger welfare crisis in the US encompasses a spectrum from genuinely excellent accredited zoo care to severe neglect in roadside attractions and cub petting operations. At the worst end, cub petting operations separate cubs from mothers within days of birth, rotate cubs through short-lived photo opportunities, and dispose of animals when they outgrow their utility. This represents systematic welfare abuse at significant scale. The Big Cat Public Safety Act closes the legal loophole that enabled cub petting, representing a significant welfare advance. Continuing to drive welfare improvement requires supporting accredited sanctuaries, reporting welfare violations, and opposing private big cat ownership.