New York State Big Cat Laws

The majesty of a lion, the power of a tiger. In the State of New York, it's not merely a good idea to leave these animals in the wild or under the care of licensed professionals, it's the law. Although the idea of keeping big cats as pets might seem like a rich fantasy, few private owners are equipped or prepared to care for these animals, who cannot be domesticated or treated as pets.

  1. Big Cats as Pets

    • It's illegal for any non-commercial entity to keep big cats as pets in New York. The scope of big cats isn't limited to exotic circus animals; the New York Environmental Conservation Code §11-0103 defines any cat that isn't a domesticated house cat or a feral cat descended from house cats as a wild animal and bans ownership of wild animals as pets by private owners. Exceptions to the law will not be made for consideration of extensively furnished habitats or the length of ownership of the animal.

    Grandfather Clause

    • Any owner who possessed a big cat before Jan. 1, 2005, had the option to license the pet with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation so as not to separate it from its owner when the state enacted regulations. Those licenses can't be transferred between owners and may be revoked if treatment and living conditions aren't met. The window for applying for a non-commercial big cat license closed March 1, 2005.

    Commecial Possession

    • Organizations such as zoos, big cat rescues and circuses may possess big cats for use in their business. Possession of these cats is licensed by the state and requires owners to provide the captive animal a properly sized habitat as well as provide for the care and general well being of the animal. Commercial possession of big cats for use in captive hunts or other events is prohibited.