I have been exotic animal owner for over 20 years. I started with reptiles
and then added big cats over 15 years ago. People often ask me WHY do I have
pet tigers or African lion?I often wonder if exotic animal owners are born or made?
Question why have big cats as pets is hard to answer, just the same way it is hard to answer why some people don’t want the kids, or why some like rainy weather, or why are you in love with this particular person. I just accept my love for these animals. If we all were the same, and all had same pets and houses and cars, the world would be a very boring place indeed.
Unfortunately, the more I am trying to escape the politics and spend more time with my pets, the harder it is. Animal rights activist are winning the public relations and legislative war, and are pushing for exotic animal bans under the guise of public safety. Our legislators blindly believe this propaganda, instead of looking at the facts.
The newest twist (or excuse) in asking for more regulation on private tiger ownership is to supposedly stop American tigers to be sold for parts on international markets. We already have laws against smuggling. Furthermore, there is not even one incident of American tigers being smuggled out of the USA. All tigers in America are captive breed, and these tigers are a self sustaining captive population NOT being used in Oriental medicines. Chinese don’t need American tigers, their captive tiger population is just as numerous, or even bigger, than American tiger population.
It is getting tiring to be always on the defense, guilty until proven innocent. We, exotic animal owners, have to constantly keep proving that we love our pets and don’t want to sell them for body parts.
Exotic pets are not for everybody, but those of us who chose to share our life with them shouldn’t be ridiculed as outcasts and mentally ill. In fact, most exotics are smaller than most domesticated animals.
I support anybody’s right to be free to choose what kind of pet to own and love. However, it is very important with any animal, domestic or exotic, to get educated about the animal’s need before you get it.
The irresponsible owners give all of us a bad name, and unfortunately, nowadays, exotic owners are faced with impossible standards: unless we are 100% accident free, we are labeled danger to society. Nothing in life is 100% safe, that is an unreasonable standard we can never live up to, unless the exotic animals get banned, which is what our enemies, the extreme AR, animal rights activists, really want. By blowing very rare exotic animal attacks out of proportion, the AR groups are winning the PR war against us.
Maybe one day I can spend more time being a tiger hugger, and less time defending my right to do what I truly love and what makes me happy, my animals.