I'm by no means saying I don't think people should be able to keep big cats or any other potentially dangerous animal. That would be quite hypocritical of me, as I've raised a cbb bobcat before and currently keep some giant, potentially dangerous birds (and plan to get some even 'more' dangerous ones in the future). I have nothing against exotic keepers, because I am one! My point is, seeing a picture in a newspaper of someone holding a baby cougar with the caption that it was "for sale" at the show can easily cause a person who disagrees with keeping big cats (which I believe outnumber those opposed to keeping herps in general, not just hots) to automatically associate that negative feeling to the show and anything associated with it.

I completely agree with you that there needs to be federal laws to deal with irresponsible keepers of ANY animals. Unfortunately, it easier to just ban them and be done with it, or at least that's how most people see it. It'd be a sad day indeed when the only animals you could find in people's residences were dogs (only the 'nice' ones of course), cats (wait...they may be too dangerous), and hamsters (oops, no, they can carry communicable disease).
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

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