Buying a "big cat" (such as a lion, tiger, or leopard) is effectively in the United States as of 2022. While some may still seek these animals out of fascination, federal law now treats them as "prohibited wildlife species," strictly limiting their possession to accredited zoos, universities, and sanctuaries. 1. Legal Prohibitions
: Costs could exceed $100,000 for a single animal, including secure enclosures with high walls and caged-in ceilings to prevent dangerous escapes. buy a big cat
: The law also prohibits public contact with big cats, ending "cub-petting" photo opportunities that previously fueled commercial breeding cycles. 2. Financial and Logistical Reality Buying a "big cat" (such as a lion,
The , signed into law on December 20, 2022, fundamentally changed the landscape of big cat ownership: 000 for a single animal