: Only USDA-licensed exhibitors (like accredited zoos), universities, and legitimate sanctuaries are permitted to acquire or breed big cats under strict oversight.
: Owning tigers is relatively easy due to lax regulations for non-native species, and they are sometimes even sold online. Estimated Costs and Requirements where can you buy a baby tiger
: Private ownership is permitted with specific government permits. The ability to legally purchase a tiger is
The ability to legally purchase a tiger is highly restricted and depends on your location and professional status. Regional Variations : : The Big Cat Public
Big-cat Owners Must Register by June 18 | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
: The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) treaty, signed by over 180 countries, prohibits the international commercial trade of tigers and their parts. Regional Variations :
: The Big Cat Public Safety Act , signed into law in December 2022, effectively ended the private ownership, breeding, and sale of tigers as pets. Individuals who owned tigers before the act were required to register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by June 18, 2023.