The Ohio situation. Read- this may effect us all

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Yeah I hear you. I know there are people that can keep them properly. But my thing is, why? These are majestic animals. They don't belong in a cage. I'd support them being kept in captivity, provided they have adequate enclosures. And I don't mean a cage where they could do a few laps. I'm mean large, open land, with perimeters, where they are free to roam. If they're going to be locked up, at least that is how these animals deserve to be kept. And quite frankly, who would be able to do that? Zoos can barely provide that. How many private facilities would have the means?

And this sort of leads me to that quote from Jurassic Park, from Ian who says something along the lines of people being so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
 
I don't think so, not IMO at least. It's not just the danger factor. It's the animal. The species. There's a huge difference in the needs and care of a goldfish vs a shark. A common house cat vs a tiger. A bunny rabbit vs a bear. A hamster vs a monkey. That's my issue. There are just some animals that people have no business keeping as pets. It's naive to assume that because you ban certain exotic animals, it will include all common pets. And I'll say it again, why do people feel the need to keep some of these exotic animals as pets? Does it make you feel good? Powerful? Superior? A sense of accomplishment? Or your selfish materialistic tendencies?

If I could care for a lynx or bob cat I'd love to keep one. They've always fascinated me, their appearance speaks to me in a weird kinda way, foxes too. I can't care for them so I don't have them but if I had a farm and the time and money I'd seriously be inclined to have these animals, its pure fascination ya know. I've been reading up on keeping them on the internet for the last couple years and what kinda enclosure suits them best, how to safely keep them and what to and how to feed them. Probably won't ever own any of those animals, I've rehabbed a raccoon though and it was an eye opening experience really, so I did it again and wow. Two raccoon rehabs, made me realize how hard it would be to keep even an animal that size in a suburban or even moderately populated rural setting. I don't know I imagine if little ole me can raise and handle raccoons no prob then Some freelance expert somewhere could keep big cats. I've kept exotic or wild animals all my life of varying size, large constrictors, many different kinda lizards and turtles etc. I honestly couldn't list the menagery of animals that have been in my life. I would like to one day have large lizards, like monitors as well but those have less appeal than the bob cat or a fox. I even had a flying squirrel for a while, amazing animal!
 
I like how some people are drawing a line and saying what's ok to keep in a cage and what's not ok. The truth is its one way or the other for all wild animals. If you question why someone would keep something than why is it ok for you keep something else. The animal rights nuts see the pet industry as a whole and if they have to break it apart piece by piece making the remaining pieces weaker in the process, they will. If you have the money to keep large exotics properly than more pwer to you. I know people who keep hot reptiles and the protocols and attention to detail they put into keeping them ensures the maximum allowable amount of safety
 
Yeah I hear you. I know there are people that can keep them properly. But my thing is, why? These are majestic animals. They don't belong in a cage. I'd support them being kept in captivity, provided they have adequate enclosures. And I don't mean a cage where they could do a few laps. I'm mean large, open land, with perimeters, where they are free to roam. If they're going to be locked up, at least that is how these animals deserve to be kept. And quite frankly, who would be able to do that? Zoos can barely provide that. How many private facilities would have the means?

This brings us to the discussion of how do you properly care for (insert dangerous exotic animal)? I would argue animals that live in enclosures need to be let out, to have exercise... similar to a dog or cat but there is plenty of discussion to have on the subject of any given animal. I'm inclined to aggree with you that probably many of the big cat owners don't have best practices I hope that this all changes. I still don't see an issue with keeping a demanding animal and doing a good job of doing so.
 
I like how some people are drawing a line and saying what's ok [...] and what's not ok

Look at that, the American constitution, legal & justice system at it's finest :)
 
I think the principle we imagine was the notion of individualism. America was pioneered on the idea individual actors with freedoms are the principle foundation of society going forward. Previously representation and individual freedoms where not really existent you belonged to your royal leadership and god put you there to serve them. So with that principle in mind we would be challenged to see how if someone can keep an animal in pursuit of an individual freedom without infringing on the well being or liberty of another being threatened there might be a constitutional debate??? Basically keeping pets is in line with the american idea of individualism assuming you don't feed your neighbors to your pets.
 
Look at that, the American constitution, legal & justice system at it's finest :)

Yea I'm sure they were talking about pets when they wrote that, I meant people on here who have fish some of which are wild caught and sticking them in a glass cage while saying others shouldn't be able to keep other types of animals which is a bit hypocritical
 
Isn't there a large private ranch in texas dedicated to basically what we are discussing? I could be wrong but I thought I remember hearing about one a while ago.

There are several, some have just hoofstock like zebras and giraffes though. There are even exotic livestock auctions
 
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