Endangering Captive Exotic Cats

1180 Words3 Pages

Americans as a culture take as they see fit, in almost everything we do, this action of taking is what our country was ultimately founded on when the Europeans took the land we now call The United States of America. This grievously includes exotic animals, and in a more glamorized spotlight the exotic cat, for their private ownership. Americans glamorize owning exotic animals and associate the magnificent pet with a higher social and financial status. Simply one high profile example is in the movie The Hangover, released in 2009, towards the beginning of the movie, the viewer is introduced to what is later revealed to be Mike Tysons very large Bengal tiger. The producer of The Hangover glamorizes the ownership of the cat in pairing the visual with a high profile celebrity such as Tyson. Along with the glamorization, the film maker desensitizes the public to the dangers of this wondrous yet wild animal through imagery of the exotic cat wearing a domestic (diamond) collar-leash combination while sitting at the feet of Tyson as if it were the family Labrador. Despite the glamorous display and desensitization of owning such an impressive creature, these exotic animals are not your family’s loveable Labrador or peculiar kitten Mr. Whiskers. A tiger in a natural habitat would not curl up at your feet and give you pouty eyes for a treat. In the wild a lion would certainly not brush through your legs meowing daintily for their daily T-bone steak. The responsibility level of owning an exotic cat is far greater than your average lovable domestic family pet, of which the general public is not prepared for. As stated in Big Cats on a Short Leash in the Christian Science Monitor, “many new owners misjudge the level of care and safety needed ... ... middle of paper ... ...from Chase’s book in trying to right these horrific wrongs against nature. In a simple statement from Chase a profound message rings true, “Foolish people (such as we were) must never again be allowed to buy [exotic cats]. These beautiful animals were born free and deserve to stay that way.” Works Cited Balaban, Tanith, and Katherine Hessler. "Exotic animals as pets." GP Solo July-Aug. 2009: 42. LegalTrac. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. Chase, Alston. "Despite Good Intentions, Writer's Own Experience Proves Exotic Animals Aren't Suited To Domesticity." Enterprise/Salt Lake City 25.9 (1995): 13. Regional Business News. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. Holstrom, Davis. “Big cats on a short leash.” Christian Science Monitor. 03 Aug. 2000: 15. Academic Search Elite. Web. 24 Feb. 2014 Donelly, Thomas M., DVM. “Share the Knowledge.” Lab Animal 33.9 (2004): 7. Academic OneFile. Web. 24 Feb. 2014

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