Why are people always trying to make a wild animal into a pet?

Question

I was watching tv the other day and i saw this lady who had several Lions and Tigers on her property and she had been injured by some of them. I think she was charging people to come take pictures with them or something. Some of the people who were posing with the big cats got hurt also. Why are people so stupid? I've seen on tv where people have Racoons, Pythons, Wolves, Big cats, Bears,and all sorts of wild animals as pets. Why would i want to own something that can kill me in the blink of an eye? Wild animals are so unpredictable and so dangerous. Why risk your life and the lives of others by owning one? Can some one shed some light on this for me cause i really don't understand this at all. I think it's insane!

That's true chriztina, but i doubt if a house cat can kill you with one swipe!

That's funny, i've never heard of any one being killed by a house cat. Bitten, yes. Killed, no. There's a BIG difference between a house cat and a Lion. So let's get real!

Answer 1

Hi there...unfortunately, many people think it's alright to take exotics as pets without properly educating themselves far in advance on the animal's nature. We rescue so many of these exotic pets (mostly exotic cats) because people discover they cannot provide adequate housing, mental stimulation, appropriate dietary requirements, socialization if they are social animals, acquired illegally, discover they can't legally keep the animal in their community because it's illegal, display the animals to the public illegally without permits like this woman probably did by endangering the public with this action... and so much more. So much goes into the care of a captive animal and exotics are not for the inexperienced. Domestic pets are different as they've been bred for many generations that they do not survive without the means for man to provide. People believe if the take a wild animal while they're very young they can remove the wildness in them, but that's never true. It only makes the animal dependent on humans for survival, nothing more. They are wild through and through, but haven't "learned" to hunt because humans removed that opportunity. That's why exotics born in captivity are not suitable to be released into the wild since they have learned what their parents learned...people feed us.

Here's a website that talks about exotic pets in further detail with photos:
A Life Sentence: The Sad and Dangerous Realities of Exotic Animals in Private Hands
http://www.api4animals.org/a3b_exotic_pets.php

Answer 2

Having a pet is a big responsibility, and if you think you can't handle it you should find a new owner or a pet store that would take her. Do not release her into the wild. Some people think that if a animal is native in the area, then they can release it and it will be fine. This is untrue. Pets were made to be able to stay in a home and be handle, not meant to be wild. The wild is different, they have to fight for food, fight for shelter, and so on. Your rat will most likely die if you release her. Pets don't know what to do in the wild, it's different then being in a home. Find a new owner, or a pet store that will take her.

Answer 3

I guess some people just want something "new and different" other than the "traditional/common" pets. They may also think it's cool to own one. Or they may simply just be attracted to that particular animal. This subject was featured once on National Geographic. The show was entitled "Big Cat Crisis" or something like that, and presented the state of owning big cats in the USA and the sides of those who love these animals and those who disapprove of their being in captivity. There were tragic outcomes as well. In cases like these, aside from the human victims, it's often the animals themselves who also pay the ultimate price.

Answer 4

I agree i worked on a rehabilitation project for orangutans through the summer in Borneo. The only place that you can keep most of these animals as pets is America unless you get a special license and then they have to be given certain cages like in zoos. All wild animals should be kept in the wild where possible. That lady sounds ridiculous but i believe it's not a priorit for the governments. Its not fair to the animals who will face the consequences if anyone gets hurt even though it's just in their nature. There are loads of websites whee you can help campaign for help but the best way is to search for paignton zoo and they have everything on their website

Answer 5

I agree that wild animals should be in the wild, also for reasons of preservation of wildlife. Of course, some people who take care of wounded wild animals and so on love them finally and want to keep them. Or that just covers their need for power or they just exploit them, like in circuses.
By the way, about cats, I have a very cute cat here, who sleeps with me at nights, kisses me when I get home, but my parents are afraid to come and feed him one day that I won't be here, because he nearly killed my dad once (bit him and cut his vein and he was bleeding bad).

Answer 6

Maybe becaues they dont have the money for a pet so they go in the woods and find a animal that is wild and make it a pet!!!

Answer 7

I saw that too. when she was confronted that she was on tv she freaked out and made them leave.Just goes to show you the world is full of idiots.Hopefully enough people saw that show to close her down.

Answer 8

People are stupid and will anything for money. Doesn't sound like she is a animal lover at all

Answer 9

House cats were not always domesticated.

A house cat can kill you. If it goes psycho and jumps and bites your jugular vain.

Answer 10

I'm not sure. You should do something about it.