Thousands of tigers, lions, and hybrid big cats are kept in private facilities across the US with minimal welfare standards, creating conditions that cause chronic suffering and pose public safety risks.
Private big cat welfare failures are severe and systemic. Animals bred for the cub-petting industry are separated from mothers within days of birth, subjected to months of handling stress, then discarded into inadequate facilities when they become dangerous. Declawing - amputation of the last bone of each digit - causes permanent pain and altered gait. Tooth removal prevents normal feeding behavior. The facilities receiving these animals often cannot provide even basic welfare - adequate space, appropriate diet, veterinary care, or enrichment. The Big Cat Public Safety Act represents meaningful progress, but implementation and enforcement will determine whether welfare improves for the thousands of animals already in private hands.