COUGAR + CHEETAH = Big Cat Success!

The June 17, 2009 hearing of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission set a record for the number of animal lovers to attend and speak up at their meetings. Carole Baskin as been attending these meetings since 1994 and rarely do more than two or three animal advocates show up but at this meeting we counted more than 40 people who spoke in favor of tougher laws to regulate the trade in exotic animals. We hope this is the beginning of a trend and if so it will shape the future. Wild animals will no longer be exploited, abused, neglected and abandoned if the public continues to speak up for them

The best news is that Cougars and Cheetahs have been uplisted to Class I which means that they can no longer be kept as pets in Florida. Those who already own these cats as pets can keep them, but cannot breed or replace them unless they meet the higher requirements for owning Class I animals which includes 5 acres of land, stronger cages and they cannot use them for petting sessions after they reach 45 lbs., so fewer people will be mauled by them.

Our biggest defeat was that the FWCC approved a new category of licensee called "Sanctuary" No accredited or legitimate sanctuary asked for this category and 2500+ of the 2764 letters received by the FWC specifically asked that it not be adopted as it creates 4 major loopholes.

To learn more please visit:
CatLaws.com

For more info about BIG CAT RESCUE visit: http://www.bigcatrescue.org
Find us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Cat-Rescue-Tampa-FL/122174836956?ref=sgm
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/1bigcatrescue
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue
DONATE: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/donate.htm

THANK YOU!

Category:

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[budhorse4]

The video only mentioned big cats. but did they say anything about reptiles at the meeting?

[BigCatRescue]

@budhorse4 I believe so, there were many topics to be discussed but can't remember what was covered.....?

[Ormaximus]

Wild animals can be tamed! It sickens me for people to say they cannot be tamed. All it takes is careful breeding. Look at dogs. They started out as wolves, foxes, coyotes, and we got the tame loving domestic dog. So maybe next time you'll think twice before you say a wild animal can't be tamed. 'Cause I got a lecture for domestic cats if you want to hear it. Even the Tigers can be tamed. Though some people think locking them in cages, abusing them, neglecting them will make an animal tame. Tho

[BigCatRescue]

@Ormaximus See comment below for our view on this matter...

[VxdVxn]

I agree with the banning of owning wild animals. They cannot be tamed. No matter how you raise them, they're hunter instincts can and may eventually take over. We humans think killing the beast with kindness will make them domestic, but it wont. I've watched shows, and seen people get attacked by their wild pets... it's cruel to keep them like that because it's in their nature to behave like they would in the wild... keeping it as a pet confuses the animal.

[BigCatRescue]

@VxdVxn Well said! :)

[BigCatRescue]

@goldenrobloxian1 We disagree with you

[BigCatRescue]

@lforsdyke Cheetahs are wild animals they cannot be trained as easily as you say. Schemes like that are in effect right now but there are not enough wildlife officers to enforce these rules and make inspections on a regular basis. The bottom line is these are wild animals and do not belong in backyards, we have to draw the line somewhere...

[zisforzoo16]

Its a shame that people still think that animals like these can be pets. Those are wild animals that are too powerful to be handled at someone's home, example Siegfried and Roy. If I'm correct he got attacked by his own tiger during a show because he touched it's paw. It's one thing to have a 5lbs cat than to have a 250lbs cougar roaming around your house.lol. XD. I really respect big cat rescue, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS!!!!!

[pyschogambitable]

@Ormaximus Coming from a horse trainers perspective, there is a huge difference in taming animals with a natural herd mentality and that of a solitary hunter, such as a tiger. When dealing with a herd, or pack animal -as to use your example of dogs- once you've established yourself as the "alpha" you become less likely to be attacked -that of course does not mean it won't happen. With a solitary animal, you can't really establish yourself as their "alpha" as they have no concept of what it means

[ZooTycoon2witchdoc1]

i thought u ment a cross beetween a cougar and a cheetah lol

its cos i wanna be a genetisist

[6KawaiiKittyKiller6]

@27cbritt I love this comment. ^-^

[Splashstorm04]

That really stinks. What about the responsible owners? That's horrible.

[CrystalSwan24]

Amen to that! I love this channel and I love your reserve. I practically worship big cats and all those who help them! <3 Thank you!!!!

[27cbritt]

Wow, I feel really dumbed-down after reading these comments.

I have a question. How is it right for someone to cage a large wild animal, whether it was raised in captivity or not, in a dog run in their back yard?

The funny part is when it all goes wrong, the "responsible owners" usually get what they deserve. The sad part is the animals don't.

Using the word responsible with someone who would do this is completely wrong.

Get a clue people, you all can't really be this damn dumb, can you?

[stastny1986]

I think it takes about 8 generations of breeding before an animal can be considered "tame"

people should never keep big cats or any exotic animal for that matter as pets, they should be in the wild or at least a wildlife sanctuary or zoo.