The push for this law was largely a response to the "tiger mills" created by the cub-petting industry. As highlighted by Big Cat Rescue , cubs were often bred rapidly for photo opportunities and then discarded once they became too large and dangerous at around 12 weeks old. These "surplus" tigers frequently ended up in inadequate private enclosures where they suffered from malnutrition, lack of veterinary care, and psychological distress.
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: Facilities with a USDA Class C exhibitor license in good standing. The push for this law was largely a
: For the purpose of providing medical care. The Drive Behind the Legislation The End of the American Backyard Tiger: Understanding
Ownership is now strictly limited to specific entities that meet rigorous safety and conservation standards. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund , exceptions to the ban include:
: Non-profit organizations that do not breed, sell, or allow public contact with the cats.
Signed into law on December 20, 2022, the BCPSA makes it as pets. This federal mandate supersedes any remaining state laws that previously allowed unregulated ownership. While some states like North Carolina, Alabama, Nevada, and Wisconsin once had no laws regarding dangerous exotic animals, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service now enforces a uniform ban.