Lions and other wild animals as pets: Why it should be allowed.

[Splashstorm]

When you really look at the facts, you find that these animals are not any more dangerous than a dog. Take tigers for example:

There are 10,000 tigers in the US (that are solely pets.)

There are 15 tiger attacks a year.
This means that only .001% of privately owned pet tigers attack a year.

Not even 1%? That doesn't strike me as dangerous at all. The media definitely does their fair share of blowing everything exotic up way out of proportion.

Also, most exotic pets do not come from the wild, so they are actually helping their wild counterparts by being a "supply" for conservation programs.

Most exotic pets are not abused. Of course some are, but so are some cats and dogs, yet we don't ban them. When taken good care of (and not stuck cages), wild animals who were born in captivity don't miss the wild or being free. They are perfectly happy . Just look at videos and pictures. In captivity they don't have to fight every single day just to survive. 

Of course there are some who just shouldn't have exotics, just like some people shouldn't own any pets at all, or have children. But that doesn't mean we put a ban on kids or domestic pets. Why are so many out to eliminate exotic pets? What are the reasons? Reasons need to be based on hard facts, not assumptions or what might seem "obvious." On the case of exotic pets, the "obvious" isn't so obvious. There are groups out there that try so hard to get rid of exotic pets, with no good reason whatsoever. Their reasons are always refuted with facts. The reason is that in the end, truth will always win. Exotic pets are perfectly safe and happy in the right hands. Don't take them away from people who can and want to care for them!

[ducky]

well in my opinion,most exotic pets say the big cats should be left in the wild. if we truly love animals they should be left in a zoo or the wild. for one thing i think the big cats should be left alone,heck i couldn't afford to feed it or care properly for it.i do disagree on the obvious quote though cause it is very dangerous oviously.

[Splashstorm]

But why should they be left in the wild? You can say the same for any animal--that a bird, or cat, or snake should be left in the wild. As long as they are happy in captivity, why must they leave? The wild is very dangerous for them. A big cat isn't even as expensive as 1 child annually. If you can afford that, good for you, but if you can't, just don't get one. And if they were so dangerous, why are the attack stats so low? 

[ducky]

i can't answer about stats but a lion or tiger is far more dangerous as a pet. im not sure you could really trust them. as for it being dangerous in the wild yes it is but making them pets is not the answer. in my opinion

[Splashstorm]

The media works very hard to make you think big cats are so awfully dangerous when really they aren't. If an alien who knew nothing about big cats came and looked at the factual data of pet big cat attacks, would they ban them? When coming up with conclusions for things like this, it is extremely important to view everything with an open mind and not be so set in your ways. I know for me it took a while to realize exotic pets really aren't dangerous, but when I did realize it, it hit me pretty hard.

I really don't think these animals should be banned, because to some people they are a lifestyle. Even if people don't agree with it, I would like them to make an informed decision instead of automatically believe everything they are told. What's more, these animals are not a public threat in general, and it should be up to the owner to decide if they want to take any sort of risks, however big or small, if they want to own these animals. America is about freedom after all.  

[ducky]

yes its about freedom,america means freedom with reason. please don't bring it to my house. lol

[Kathi]

I think all wildlife should remain just that wild.  It is very unfair to keep an animal such as a Lion in captivity.  I am not really concerned with the threat to the public, what concerns me is that these exotic pets should not be pets at all but allowed to live their lives the way God intended them too, free!!

 

[ducky]

KATHI THANKYOU I COULD'NT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER, BUT PLEASE DON'T BRING IT TO MY HOUSE .LOL oops i forgot to take off the caps,mea culpa

[ducky]

SPLASHSTORM ,i was wondering about that figure,10,000 tigers that are pets. pets how. if they are in a zoo  then they are not pets, but that many at someones neighborhoods is very difficult for me to understand. im i missing something here. lol

[Splashstorm]

You have to look at it like this though: if you believe lions should be able to roam free, why not other animals? What makes domesticating an animal so special that you can coop them up and not allow them to be free? Why give "wild" animals that right, and not domesticated ones? 

@ducky, 10,000 tigers are just pets, but there are more tigers out there in zoos as well. There are 10,000 tigers around the US being kept as pets. 

[ducky]

SPLASHSTORM THIS IS WHY IM AGAINST THIS. HEAR WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY ON THIS

[Wanda P]

Splashstorm, this topic is not appropriate for this site, this is A POSITIVE site where we celebrate our pets. Please take this blog, as well. As ALL animal activism to FB. This up sets members I can assure one no one will agree with this blog. PLEASE keep your blogs, about your self, your pets. Thank you Wanda PBP ADMIN

[ducky]

TY WANDA