Captive Big Cat Welfare and the Big Cat Public Safety Act

Captive big cats in private hands face severe welfare compromise, driving landmark legislation restricting private ownership and cub petting operations globally.

Key Facts

An estimated 5,000-10,000 tigers are held in private captivity in the United States alone.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act, signed in December 2022, bans private big cat ownership in the US.
Cub petting operations require continuous breeding and often result in cubs being discarded when no longer profitable.
Private big cat facilities commonly provide inadequate space, diet, and veterinary care.
Big cats in substandard captivity show severe stereotypic behaviour and physical health problems.

Welfare Considerations

Private captive big cats represent one of the most egregious welfare situations in companion animal and zoo welfare. Animals living in small cages, fed inappropriate diets, deprived of social contact, and used for commercial cub petting experiences suffer profound deprivation. The Big Cat Public Safety Act represents a major welfare advance, though enforcement and sanctuary capacity for displaced animals remain challenges. Globally, similar legislation is needed to end private big cat keeping outside accredited zoological facilities.

What You Can Do

Never visit or pay for cub petting experiences with big cats or any wild animal species.
Support the enforcement of the Big Cat Public Safety Act and similar legislation in other jurisdictions.
Donate to accredited big cat sanctuaries providing lifetime care for displaced private cats.
Report suspected unlicensed big cat keeping to wildlife enforcement authorities.
Avoid roadside zoo facilities and unaccredited venues featuring big cat exhibits.