Unregulated Ownership and the Plight of Exotic Cats

In the United States, a growing problem is happening that largely goes unnoticed by the general public. Small exotic cats—like servals, bobcats, lynx, fishing cats, and Asian leopard cats– are taken from their habitat, treated poorly, and ultimately abandoned.

Often bought as “pets”, these wild cats become victims of private ownership. People think they are easy to take care of due to their smaller size, and with little to no regulation, their ownership is not challenged. 

Meet Josey, Evaki, and Chester: Victims of the Small Cat Crisis

At Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, the stories of three small cat residents—Josey, Evaki, and Chester—show the sad results of the exotic pet trade and why we need better rules and public education.

Josey, the African Serval

Josey is an African Serval who was given up by her owner from West Virginia, who had to move to take care of sick relatives and couldn’t take Josey with him. Many states have rules against owning servals or require special licenses. Josey’s story shows how people often aren’t ready for the responsibility of caring for exotic animals, leading to abandonment. At Black Pine, Josey now lives in a large, safe enclosure where she can act naturally and get the special care she needs.

Chester, the Bobcat

Chester is a 2-year-old male bobcat who was taken by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife because he was being kept illegally as a pet. Chester’s former owners loved him, but a house is not a proper place for a bobcat. Raising wild animals from babies and keeping them in homes does not make them domesticated. Chester’s former owners and Kentucky Fish & Wildlife agreed that Black Pine Animal Sanctuary was the best place for him. At Black Pine, Chester is loved the way wild animals should be—without direct contact. He lives next to other bobcats in a large habitat with lots of natural enrichment and is fed an all-raw meat diet for his health. Chester enjoys the sights and smells of the sanctuary and spends his days running, jumping, hiding, scent marking, and soaking in his pool.

Evaki, the Bobcat

Evaki is another bobcat at Black Pine who arrived in the fall of 2019. She was born in the wild about three hours south of the sanctuary and was found abandoned in southern Indiana. Due to damage to her back legs, Evaki could not survive in the wild. Her story shows the tough realities faced by wild animals taken from their natural habitats. At Black Pine, Evaki gets the care and environment she needs to live a good life, free from the stress of domestic life.

The Misconception of Manageability

Many people are drawn to owning a piece of the wild at home, leading to more private ownership of small exotic cats. The Wildcat Sanctuary identifies key motivations to small cat ownership. These owners, often influenced by social media and the novelty of having a unique pet, don’t realize the wild nature and specific needs of these animals. Unlike domestic cats, small exotic felines have dietary, environmental, and behavioral needs tied to their natural habitats—needs that are hard to meet in a typical home.

The Role of Breeders and the Lack of Regulation

Breeders of small exotic cats operate in a market driven by demand for these unique animals, with little oversight regarding the welfare of the animals sold or the suitability of the buyers. The lack of comprehensive federal laws, combined with different state laws, creates a situation where breeders can easily profit without considering the long-term welfare of the animals or the readiness of the owners. This is made worse by the lack of mandatory education for prospective owners about the realities of caring for a wild species.

The Consequences of Private Ownership

The consequences of this unregulated trade and ownership are bad for the animals involved. Many owners, unprepared for the challenges of caring for a wild animal, find themselves unable to meet the complex needs of their exotic pets. This often leads to neglect, abandonment, or attempts to rehome the animals with sanctuaries or zoos, many of which are already full and unable to take in more animals. The Wildcat Sanctuary highlights the “Small Exotic Cat Crisis,” noting an increase in the number of small wild cats being abandoned or escaping from private homes.

The Need for Legislative Action and Education

To address this crisis, there is a need for comprehensive laws that regulate the breeding, sale, and ownership of small exotic cats. The Big Cat Public Safety Act, while a step in the right direction for larger exotic felines, does not cover smaller species, leaving a significant gap in protection. Laws should be accompanied by public education campaigns to dispel the myths surrounding the ownership of these animals and to highlight the ethical considerations and practical challenges involved.

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary

As the only Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) accredited sanctuary in the Midwest, Black Pine goes to considerable lengths to dismantle the exotic pet trade industry. We provide a safe haven for a variety of exotic animals, including Josey, Evaki, and Chester. Each of these animals has a sad backstory, having been taken from their natural environments to serve as pets for private owners, only to be abandoned when their care became too challenging. Now, however, they can live the rest of their lives in peace. 

Education and Advocacy: The Small Cat Crisis

Education and advocacy are the most critical parts of sanctuary work. The direct animal rescue and care are the “Band-Aid solution” to the big problem that is the exotics trade in the U.S. While the rescue work makes an immediate difference in the lives of the residents and is lifesaving, important work, without educating the public and advocating for better laws surrounding animal welfare and the protection of the natural world, animals will continue to suffer needlessly.

BPAS is on a mission to end the exotic pet trade and educate people about responsible animal care. We play a crucial role in rescuing and rehabilitating these animals, providing them with the care and environment they need to live dignified lives. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to address the plight of small exotic cats and prevent further suffering and abandonment.