Q:  What is an unwanted exotic cat?
A:  Just as the name implies, an unwanted exotic cat has, for one or more reasons, become unwanted by its owner. It may be a healthy cat that an owner can no longer afford to keep or feed. Some unwanted cats have become dangerous to handle and have injured (or are likely to injure) people. An unwanted cat may be a cat with an injury, or illness, and the owner is unwilling, or incapable of taking care of it. Some exotic cats are working animals and may no longer able to perform, whether trained for movie and film work, as breeding stock, outreach education ambassadors, or some other purpose.

Some 'unwanted' cats are not really 'unwanted', but the owner is unable to keep them because of changes in local or state laws that made possession illegal, or require the owner to purcahse liability insurance that is unavailable or unaffordable.  

Regardless of the reason, sometimes exotic cats no longer have their homes, are are in need of placement options.

Q:  What happens to unwanted exotic cats?
A:  In the case of the small exotic cat species, like bobcat or serval, many are lucky and find new family homes with an experienced private owner who is willing and able to provide care and attention.

For large felines like tigers and lions, which require considerable expertise, handling equipment and facilities, many times they must be placed in feline rescue, rehabilitation, or retirement facilities.  These refuges and sanctuaries are usually incorporated and funded as tax-exempt charities that depend upon advertising and media coverage to gain public awareness and needed funding.

The Endangered Species Act protects endangered felines such as tiger, leopard and jaguar from being harassed or killed. Further, it is not socially acceptable for unwanted exotic cats, endangered or not, to be euthanized, therefore the increasing burden at sanctuaries and refuges is a growing concern. These exotic cat species live upwards of 20 years.

It is imperative that legislators understand that passing laws that prohibit new owners and new facilities from being started also hampers the stability of the captive gene pool and the impacts the ability to manage the living population of exotic feline species at a genetically sound level.

Q:  How many unwanted exotic cats are there?
A:  The Feline Conservation Federation is the nation’s oldest and most knowledgeable organization that keeps statistics on private ownership. However, there are no reliable surveys on the number of exotic cats that have become unwanted.  The number of tiger, lion, leopard, jaguar and cougars in USDA licensed sanctuaries is estimated to be about 1,000 total nationwide and the total private sector large cat population is estimated to be between 5,000 and 7,000.

This high proportion of large cat species in sanctuaries is partly due to a growing number of communities and states that have passed legislation that greatly increases the cost and red tape for private owners, or completely prohibits ownership.

The number of small cat species in sanctuaries is substantially less because small cats are easier to re-home with experienced private owners who can afford to fund the lifetime care of the feline.

Q:  Why does legislation to prohibit the ownership and breeding of exotic felines make matters worse?
A:  Legislation supported by those who oppose captive breeding and private ownership of exotic cats have resulted in the closure of facilities that provide quality captive habitat. Additionally, this kind of legislation also prevents persons who have both the knowledge and funding from establishing new facilities in suitable locations.

This kind of legislation has compounded the problem of not enough quality captive habitat and severely threatens the stability of captive populations managed for conservation purposes.

Prohibiting the captive breeding of exotic cats can over the long term cause a catastrophic decline in genetic diversity.  Proper management of captive populations requires that genetics be passed on through  breeding.

An additional concern of the Feline Conservation Federation is cases where private ownership is outlawed and some owners who do not have the connections, or resources, to find legal placement options for their cats, instead choose to release the feline, or defy the law and keep their cat in hiding and then cannot risk taking it to a veterinary clinic because they fear being discovered and having their cat confiscated.
 
Q:  The Feline Conservation Federation says banning exotic feline ownership isn't the answer. So, what is the answer?
A:  Simply put, there will be no need for sanctuaries if there are no unwanted felines. The key to solving the problem doesn't lie in eliminating captive populations and private ownership - which is detrimental to species conservation - it lies in spreading knowledge and preparing and supporting those who chose to engage in responsible exotic feline ownership.

If everyone who purchased or bred an exotic cat was knowledgeable about proper care and accepted the responsibility of caring for the feline throughout its entire life, or made arrangements for another to continue its care if the original owner were unwilling or unable, there would be no more unwanted exotic cats. Breeders, and owners, should all be aware of the possible fates of unwanted exotic cats, and should make a conscious effort to educate themselves and the public about responsible exotic cat ownership.

Extremist animal rights organizations are spending millions annually lobbying state and federal legislators to pass laws that prohibit ownership and breeding of exotic cats. These organizations are not spending any funding on the care of exotic cats, or to develop programs to educate owners of these felines. If even a small fraction of their budget were diverted to providing educational resources for potential and present owners on proper care and the environmental needs of these cats, many cases of abuse and abandonment could be eliminated.

Q:  What is the Feline Conservation Federation doing to help the unwanted exotic feline population?
A:  The Feline Conservation Federation understands that education of potential owners and current owners will have the greatest impact on preventing the circumstances that lead to unwanted cats. FCF has developed a multi-media instructional course called Basic Wild Feline Husbandry Course and teaches it throughout the country.

Additionally, the Feline Conservation Federation registered handler program allows us to provide new members with mentoring services that help prospective and new owners when they ask questions.

Q:  I want to donate money to help the Feline Conservation Federation help eliminate unwanted exotic felines. How can I help?
A:  The Feline Conservation Federation has two funds that directly help the welfare of captive felines and help prevent the need for more sanctuaries.

The Wildcat Safety Net Fund is used to cover the cost of transport when exotic felines must be relocated to safe refuge. Money donated to this fund will enable the FCF to insure that felines are safely transferred to a qualified facility when an owner dies, or new legislation prohibits captive habitat, or in cases of neglect or abuse.

The FCF Education Fund is used to develop additional learning materials for our members, potential felid owners, and for our educators who teach respect for wildlife, and responsible pet ownership values to our children.