| Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or | | | | and spacious enclosure, feeding costs, veterinary |
| having a pet tiger? You're not alone, and many | | | | costs, the initial purchase of the kitten, and incidental |
| people share their lives responsibly and safely with | | | | expenses which seem to crop up on a continual basis. |
| such animals. My beloved companion is a African | | | | The cost of owning a smaller cat such as a serval or |
| Serval, a very affectionate 33-pound spotted feline. | | | | bobcat is more likely to be affordable than that of |
| However, this dream come true brings with it some | | | | owning a tiger or other large cat. When you get into |
| very real challenges and responsibilities far beyond | | | | the large cats you will find that your feeding and |
| those facing the average pet owner.A huge number | | | | enclosure costs escalate dramatically.A major |
| of visitors to my exotic feline site are trying to make | | | | consideration is the size of the cat. Some species are |
| very important decisions. Should I get a exotic cat? | | | | smaller than a domestic cat, while others reach 500 |
| Is this species the right fit for my family? Can I | | | | pounds. The most common species to find in a pet |
| provide for one properly?There are a number of | | | | household is the serval, which ranges fron roughly |
| things to take into consideration when deciding if | | | | 18-40 pounds.Owning a small cat is a more realistic |
| exotic cat ownership is for you, and if the answer is | | | | goal for most people than a large cat such as a tiger. |
| yes, which species of exotic cat is suitable for your | | | | Large cats are very expensive to feed and house, |
| situation. They include: | | | | heavily regulated by the federal government, and of |
| Your ability to make a lifetime committment to an | | | | course much more dangerous. Often keepers are |
| animal who may cause you considerable headaches | | | | unable to safely enter the enclosures of big cats |
| Your ability to be a responsible owner | | | | once they mature. This does not mean that these |
| Local and Federal Laws | | | | animals are malicious, but a tiger or other big cat can |
| Your financial ability to provide proper care and | | | | easily injure you even in play. If you see yourself |
| housing for the cat | | | | with a "pet" cat, start thinking small.Cougars are an |
| Your level of experience in working with animals | | | | interesting compromise in size and temperament. |
| Size of the cat | | | | They are actually classified as "small cats" even |
| Disposition of the cat | | | | though most people think of them as a big cat. They |
| Endangered Species StatusOwning an exotic cat | | | | are large cats and come with all of the duties, |
| requires a lifetime committment to a cat who may | | | | responsibilities, and cost of owning a big cat. |
| live to be 20 years old. If your circumstances change, | | | | However, they often have very gentle and |
| the cat develops behaviors that are unacceptable to | | | | affectionate natures; of all the large felines, they are |
| you, or you simply grow tired of caring for it, an | | | | probably the species that you are most likely to be |
| exotic cat cannot simply be given over to your local | | | | able to have a "pet-like" relationship with after they |
| humane society. Being placed in a new home is much | | | | mature. For those determined to own a big cat, I |
| more traumatic to an exotic cat than to most | | | | would reccommend a cougar over any other species, |
| domestic animals and can cause a major change in | | | | especially over a tiger.Owning an exotic feline is not |
| their personality. In some cases, they may never | | | | for someone who spends their time in fantasyland. If |
| accept a new owner. Qualified people willing to take | | | | you are one of those pet owners who think their |
| in an adult exotic cat are hard to find, and no, the | | | | dog is soooo sweet that he could never, ever harm |
| local zoo will not accept your cat. Large cats such as | | | | anyone, that all animals love you because you have a |
| cougars and tigers are especially hard to | | | | "special touch" with them, or that no animal will be |
| place.Everyone gets an animal with a certain dream in | | | | dangerous as an adult if you "love it enough" or "raise |
| their minds about how that animal will behave, and | | | | it right," you have no business owning an exotic |
| some people cannot handle it if things turn out | | | | cat.You have to be able to objectively assess the |
| differently. For instance, if you want to own a tiger, | | | | safety of any decision you make, whether it involves |
| you probably imagine being able to play with it and | | | | handling your own cat, letting a family member or |
| cuddle with it. That may happen; but if you | | | | member of the public have contact with the cat, etc. |
| undertake this responsibility you have to be prepared | | | | You have to be able to say "I love Tigger with all of |
| for the fact that you might not be able to so much | | | | my heart and he loves me back, but I can tell from |
| as enter the cat's enclosure safely, even if you raise | | | | the playful look in his eye that if I walk into his |
| him from a cub.If you are interested in getting a small | | | | enclosure now he might hurt me, so I choose not |
| cat like a bobcat or a serval, you probably imagine | | | | to."It is important to locate a good veterinarian who |
| sharing your household with it, as many people do. | | | | is willing to treat your exotic cat before you get one. |
| But what if that cat grows up to spray everything in | | | | It can sometimes be difficult to find a good, |
| sight?If you've been researching the idea of owning | | | | experienced vet who will be willing to treat exotics. |
| an exotic cat, you've probably discovered how much | | | | Often, vets are uncomfortable around them or |
| conflicting information there is. Some sources seem | | | | dissaprove of keeping them as pets and will |
| to indicate that living with an exotic cat is no more | | | | therefore refuse to treat them. Many clinics also lack |
| challenging than feeding your pet goldfish. At the | | | | large enough equipment to handle larger felines like |
| other end of the extreme spectrum, many | | | | cougars or tigers. Veterinary costs for an exotic cat |
| sanctuaries and animal rights activists paint them as | | | | can be higher than those for a domestic animal, |
| unmanageable creatures that no ordinary mortal could | | | | especially if your cat develops a serious problem and |
| hope to deal with successfully. As is usually the case, | | | | you are referred to a specialty clinic or university.If |
| the truth lies in a rational world between the two | | | | you choose to own an exotic cat, you owe it to |
| extremes. This site exists to provide realistic and | | | | your cat and everyone else who owns exotics to be |
| balanced information.Like all creatures, exotic cats are | | | | a responsible owner. What constitutes responsible |
| all individuals, and nobody can tell you exactly how | | | | ownership? Some of the criteria, in no particular |
| your future cat will act. Generalizations can be made | | | | order: |
| about the behavior of different species, but individual | | | | Provides a ample, nutritious diet suitable to the |
| personalities and behavior traits vary widely. As a dog | | | | species |
| trainer, I have seen puppies with the perfect | | | | Provides ample housing for the cat to live in happily |
| upbringing turn out dangerously aggressive, and | | | | Provides shelter and protection from the elements |
| severely abused dogs who were stable and friendly. I | | | | Provides veterinary care as needed |
| have met dangerous Golden Retrievers and | | | | Purchases animals from an ethical and responsible |
| unprovokable Pit Bulls. It's the same with cats; you | | | | breeder |
| can generalize to a certain extent, but never count | | | | Does not neglect or abuse the animal |
| on those generalizations.If you decide that you are | | | | Provides generally pleasant living conditions and has |
| serious about getting an exotic feline, one of the first | | | | the cat's feelings and best interests in mind |
| things you need to do is learn the federal, state, | | | | Makes a good-faith effort to comply with all |
| county, and city laws regulating the ownership of the | | | | applicable laws |
| species you are considering in your area. Contarary | | | | Takes stringent precautions to prevent the escape |
| to popular myth, exotic animal ownership is pretty | | | | of the cat |
| heavily regulated. Laws and permit requirements vary | | | | Protects the cat from unauthorized contact or |
| widely from area to area, and owning exotic cats is | | | | harrassment from members of the public |
| banned altogether in many places.The legal issues will | | | | Protects the safety of the public and visitors |
| become vastly more complicated if you are | | | | Makes a lifetime committment to caring for the cat |
| interested in owning a cat that is endangered. While it | | | | This article is written and copyrighted by Jessi |
| is not impossible, the additional laws and permits that | | | | Clark-White of This article may be reproduced in its |
| you have to contend with makes owning an | | | | entirety only; permission is NOT granted to display |
| endangered cat an unrealistic goal for most | | | | editied versions. This article may not be used to |
| people.Owning an exotic cat means having to remain | | | | support the ending of private ownership of exotic |
| constantly aware of changing laws and of proposed | | | | pets.For more comprehensive information on exotic |
| legislation, and being prepared to fight for the | | | | pets and their ownership, visit my website, You can |
| continued right to own your beloved pet.Owning an | | | | ask the author and other exotic pet owners |
| exotic cat can be quite expensive. You will need to | | | | questions at our online forum. |
| take into consideration the cost of building a secure | | | | |