'cheetahs'

cheetahs

Comment #25 Sky (65.4.83.187) -

If you take care of them and care for them properly, it is definitely not cruel...

Comment #26 skar (99.251.125.102) -

honestly, i would love to own a wolf dog or wild cat such as the cheetah, cougar or bobcat myself and hopefully one day i will when i know i am responsible enough to care for it and have the proper environment for it to live peacefully. its an awesome fantasy owning such a strong, beloved animal that u imagine could protect you and would be new to the people around u to see such a wild animal in the care of an everyday family. sure it could be cool, maybe make u popular cuz not everyone owns such an exotic animal/ but to CHRISTY ANDERSON #23 exactly how old are u? are u actually being serious about this whole owning a cheetah? u have NOOOO idea how dangerous it could be if u don't do it right. u think ur the only young person in this world who wants something as incredible as a cheetah? if ur that serious study it a bit longer if ur that hard headed about owning one. im not saying u shouldn't but if u are going to pursue owning a cheetah in the future make sure its for the benefit of the animal (and that u have the proper living conditions for it to survive) and that the benefit isn't to up ur social status at school or to feel like Sheena queen of the ing jungle. personally if i ever take part in taking care of a larger cat such as a cheetah, cougar etc, it won't be for what most of u people would be wanting one for. to feel cool, and protected. it would be to help the survival of the endangered species that need rescuing. at least for the larger breed of cat. smaller ones that are allowed to become domesticated would be for personal enjoyment because of my love for animals but that is just a dream. it would be a miracle if it ever came true. in the end i know it is better for animals to live in the wild where they belong. but if the opportunity rose i could help raise them i would do it in a heartbeat to help them. not my popularity or because its "cool"

Comment #27 catherine (71.198.181.141) -

Ok first of all, i think it would be wonderful to be in contact with wild cats of all sorts, but the fact is that they are called wild animals for a reason. So many of you people sound like complete fools, and if you actually care about the fate of these beautiful creatures, you would educate yourself, and try to help. So many people think that they can get whatever they want, like a pet cheetah, but if you really knew anything about wild animals you should know how unfair it is for the animal.

As for Christy Anderson....You are either a young child, or you are a complete idiot for saying they would bt great house pets. If you knew anything about their situation or status you would realize how stupid you sound. I think the only reason why it is ok to have an exotic animal living with you, is for its protection, or rehabilitation. Not for your selfish reasons. Humans think that they can have anything they want. Too bad the animals dont have the same privilege.

Comment #28 meagan (71.198.181.141) -

I agree with catherine's statement completely.

Comment #29 Rebecca (70.108.67.151) -

How can you adopt/buy a Cheetah and keep it at home? (In Maryland)And how much will it cost?!

Comment #30 Rebecca (70.108.67.151) -

Oh! and my email is bleachcat5779@yahoo.com P.S. I'm talking about a BABY Cheetah! Unless the big ones aren't dangerous... like BITING WITH THOSE HUGE TEETH!

Comment #31 Big Dog from The Woods -

A BABY Cheetah will grow up into a BIG ONE with BIG TEETH ready to chew you!

Comment #32 ***** im 13 =D ***** (92.12.41.160) -

cheetahs can't eat u infact they are actually little cats not big cats so don't worry they wont be able to eat u thats stupid if u think that.

Comment #33 Wayde Forster from New York -

I agree with catherine completely-Christy is an ignorant child. I have had several big cats at my sanctuary over the years, and although I love them all, they are extremely dangerous and completely capable of killing an adult human. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something! You all need to look up the word 'wild'. These animals are not happy as 'pets', and it almost never ends well for them or their owners. Get a dog, go to the zoo, and donate your time to saving wild habitat to save these animals you say you 'love'. That way, I won't have to take care of your rejects.

Comment #34 Wends (68.58.207.233) -

Speaking from a historical standpoint, there actually is quite the argument that the cheetah, most especially, would be the 'big cat' most suitable for 'taming' and ownership by private persons. They were, after all, quite domesticated as of 3, 000 years ago.

Not that I'm advocating that anyone who's whining "I wanna cheetah!111!" should have one. I'm just bringing up the counterpoint to everyone who's vehemently advising that they should remain in the wild, completely untouched. Once again borrowing from history, the cheetah barely survived extinction 10, 000 years ago. And again 5, 000 years ago. And again 1, 000 years ago. The species is now so inbred that they don't produce regularly healthy litters, their survivability rate of their cubs is the lowest amongst all cats, and genetic abnormalities and sickness are prevalent even in carefully maintained animals. Without reserves and zoos, it's probable that the cheetah would no longer exist owing to competition from hyenas, lions, wild dogs, etc., and owing to reduction in their wild habitats and of their natural food supply.

I say there's no reason to be so nasty to those who wish to own one, provided they're well informed, well prepared, and well financed. If they're willing to put down the significant fees and go through the paperwork for the licensing required to own a cheetah, more power to them. After all, upwards of $15-20, 000 USD for just the animal itself is no laughing matter. Then compound that with the vet costs, the food costs, the maintenance, the housing, etc.

Anyone who's willing to put the time, effort, money, dedication and love into these animals shouldn't be precluded from obtaining one. Namely those who run cat sanctuaries and already know the task involved with maintaining one of these wonderful animals.

You want a walk on the wild side? Go to falconry. You release your bird when you're done with it. The animal stays wild, and you get the thrill of working with it. They're exotic, they're 'cool' and they can be quite loving (just as much as my domestic cats, at least). It's just not fuzzy like a big cat. (and they get cranky if you try to cuddle them - my kestrel would attest to such)

Comment #35 Amber (68.61.74.96) -

Cheetahs are the most harmless of the big cats, they dont have retractable claws and as far as the endangered part, if cheetahs are captive they have a WAAAy better chance of surviving than in the wild where poachers love to kill them for their coats. They were domesticated in the past why not now? And as far as the nay sayers, if some one wants to devote their time to help or keep an exotic, keep your nose out of it. If they get their head ripped off that is their business. Cheetahs seldom reach 130 lbs the size of a large dog. so really what is the threat?

Comment #36 NAs from Tampa -

Guys, I see that most of us want something so bad that we tend to ignore the responsibilities that it is involved. I dont agree to mess with nature and taking animals from the wild and having them bred like some "pet". I do belive however that this is something thats never going to stop and if I have the chance to adopt a cheetah or any other exotic pet (which hopefully Iam in the near future) I will take my chance. But it is important to know what you are getting yourself into, I mean anyone can just buy one if they had the money to do so, that's the easy part. Having the time and dedication needed to gove this pet is the hard part. I will suggest to anybody that is intrested with exotic pets is to atleast volunteer a good amount of time and research to facilities that take care of these animals( atleast 200-300 hundred hours). You will benefit the people, the animal, and most of all yourself.

Comment #37 Wayde Forster from New York -

Amber-don't talk about things you know nothing about. I have owned other people's unwanted exotic pets for over 30 years, and there is a reason that they don't make good pets. They are unsuited for life with us-they bite, claw, run away, or stink, for starters. As to your statement about the size of cheetah making it safe-you are simply wrong. Adult leopards average about 120lbs and kill people on an alarmingly regular basis. In three of the recent fatal cougar attacks, the cat weighed less than 90lbs. All of these animals hunt prey that i larger, stronger and faster than us!

Comment #38 Amber (68.61.227.40) -

Yeah, but if you are an idiot and dont manage that behavior when they are cubs yeah sure you will get attacked, you deal with the mistakes of morons who no nothing about the big cats. Sure 90lb cougars with retractable claws and built to take down big game can easily jump on your back, but cheetahs hunt by tripping gazzelle they cant rely on brute strength. and the incidence of leopards and cougars taking down people is really low.

Comment #39 Amber (68.61.227.40) -

Oh and another thing wayde, the only difference between animals that are on the brink of extinction and are "wild" and a dog is a couple of thousand years ago some person took it out of the wild and used it and bred it for to their needs. Now since mankind has realized animals are an exhaustable reasource, we are trying to right our wrong by breeding them captive and perhaps domesticate a few for our own needs. The przwalkski horse would be extinct with out man's intervention but ohh that is sooo horrible. Leave people alone who want to have a different animal. Oh and rabies vaccinations for raccoons dont count there is none developed for "raccoons" just dogs and cats. Thankfully my state has not tested positive for raccoon rabies.

Comment #40 Wayde Forster from New York -

Actually, leopards kill more people than all other big cats combined. In the 1940's, one leopard had 100's of CONFIRMED human kills. As to your theory on domestication-wrong again. We domesticated animals that were already somewhat suited to our lifestyle and needs. Except for dogs and ferrets, name a carnivore that was domesticated(cats don't count(LOL)). You are correct about the rabies thing-there is no vaccine accepted here in the US for use in raccoons. That means that if your coon bites someone who wants to cause trouble, they will kill him and take his brain for testing-so be careful. I ended up with 10, 3hour old wolf pups because a vet clinic worker got bit by the mother. There is no observation period for wild animals, so they took her head to state lab, and I got the pups. It almost always ends badly for exotics, as people aren't ready for all the wild behavior.

Comment #41 Amber (66.255.212.46) -

lol, this made me pick my brain for some species, but here it goes, birds of prey, hawks eagles etc. Pythons are carnivores, and other various snakes, frogs, toads, dolphins and other pinipeds, and of course spiders. All have been domesticated one way or another, whether apart of a show or exibition in some teenagers basement.

Comment #42 Wayde Forster from New York -

You obviously have no educational background in this subject, so you should best be quiet and learn-none of the animals you mentioned-NONE-are domesticated. They may be tamed, or habituated to human contact, but look up the definition of domestication, at least. Are you all 12?

Comment #43 Bobby (83.161.8.25) -

it's cruel to keep cheetahs as pets unless you live in some place like the krugerpark. its also so dangerous. not just the cheetah but all these big cats theyre so unpredicable, if you love these animals like me go work in a conservation 100X safer!

Comment #44 Mike (68.56.174.157) -

God DAMN people this isn't a black and white issue. Actually out of ALL the big cats that you could own, cheetahs are the most easily tamed. I would agree though that a cheetah is meant to ing run fast and eat fresh game. Personally I would love to own a cheetah, but I know that I wouldn't be able to provide it with enough space to run around or the fresh meat that it craves, and I would be depriving the cheetah of a full and active life. However that does NOT mean that it is not possible to raise a cheetah in a completely ethical manner. For instance say you own a lot of property and you are a hunter, this would be the ideal situation for the cheetah, they would have room to run and they make excellent retrievers. So basically my point is you CAN own a cheetah, and it'll work out fine (given proper training and the aforementioned conditions). However if you don't have the ideal situation then you shouldn't own a cheetah.

Comment #45 Britt (97.97.194.140) -

I just want to say, to all the people who are like, "OMG IT'S DANGEROUS TO OWN ONE THEY'RE UNPREDICTABLE AND ALWAYS WILL BE WILD!" to do your homework before you gab your gob.

Cheetahs have been domesticated as "pets" for thousands of years. They've been kept by Pharaohs and Chinese emperors (as is well documented in their histories and art). They're the only LARGE breed of cat that CAN be domesticated (yes, servals, bobcats, etc etc can be too, but I don't really consider them large. I'm talking tigers, lions, leopards, etc.)They act very much like a dog when raised in captivity. They are also easily trained. There's actually an article in one of the latest cat fancy magazines about the San Diago Zoo clicker training their cheetah, who's constant companion just happens to be none other than a golden retriever. Cheetahs are easily trained because they have excellent eye contact and stay focused.

However, I'm not trying to make it sound like a walk in the park or promote the average Joe going out and buying a sugar glider without doing the research on it, let alone a cheetah. Working with an exotic species, any exotic species, from a boa constrictor to a cockatoo, is SPECIALTY work. It's not a dog or house cat. They have special needs, different behaviors and requirements that MOST people aren't ready or willing to deal with. It SOUNDS cool to have one as a "pet", but it's tough work.

My best advice to anyone who wants to work with (notice how I don't say "own"?) an exotic is to research the hell out of the species you're looking for. Learn it's history, diet, health concerns, breeding, and any and all husbandry you can find on it. Then REALLY sit down and take a look at your life and where you think you'll be, however many years down the road that the general life span of the creature is. THEN decide if you can make that sort of commitment. Buying an exotic, or any animal for that matter, shouldn't be just a whim or adventure. It's FOR LIFE.

A cheetah is a large breed with special dietary needs. Can you provide it the food it needs, constantly, to keep it's health up? A cheetah needs A LOT of room to run. Do you have at least 2 fenced in acres or running space? There are so many requirements for cheetahs.

They are an endangered species, and unless you really know about the animal and are trying to conserve the species by breeding, or doing an educational program, you really shouldn't even consider working with one. There is roughly only 1000 left in the wild and the ones in captivity are there to promote the species for conservation. Keeping one holed up and not using it to help is a bad idea...

Comment #46 kane (70.190.45.81) -

youre all idiots... size has nothing to do with domestication and trainability... look at elephants and horses.... duhhh. you have to have a LOT of area and the right climate, but whos to say if you have the money you cant provide an even better habitat than an underfunded public zoo???

Comment #47 Stanley from Canada -

Alright after reading all these post's ive come to the Conclusion most of you are like 9-15 years old.

to Answer a few of your Questions

Can you own a Cheetah?

Yes you can.

How much does a Cheetah cost

15k and up (to buy it) remember these are big wild cats you need to pay Vet Bills Food and Alot of it your guna need to give the Cat alot of your time and your going to need alot of space. the thing is most of you are saying o well its a big cat but it can live in my house (if trained right YES it can) BUT these Cats are extreamly fast and are built to run keeping it in a house and giveing it a 40X40 foot Backyard to run it not going to cut it. thats like sticking 5 kids in a Small Bathroom and saying ok kids play tag. Not guna work. yes i know Cheetah's run fast but dont run very long but you think its guna pick up to top speed in 40 Feet? um no thats guna be like 4 strides.

Comment #48 Stanley from Canada -

Where can you get a Cheetah?

Im not guna tell you. IF your capable of owning a Cheetah and have the Space time money and reasources then you have the Abbility to talk to the Right People to get one.

Cheetah's where demestocated in the past y not now?

i just have 1 thing to say 20, 000 year from now when where all long dead and Some guy finds a Rare book called hairy potter and then That WHOLE sivilisation belives that we where all warlocks and witchs does that mean its true????

YOur proof that Cheetah's where domesticated is that theres Paintings on a King of Egypyts Tomb (did we translate right??) is that just what he liked????

Also i think i red some one said they burried the Cheetahs with them um ya ok if i die and in my will i say you have to Burry 195 Elephants with me does that mean i lived with 195 Elephants? no.

Are Cheetahs Dangerous?

um does this realy need to be answered???????

......

YES Big claws Teeth realy fast the Inabbility to speak the Human Language

Givein alot of Animals are like this but they have been Demestocated for many years where as a Cheetah your looking at like a Second Generation prolly

Comment #49 Stanley from Canada -

Still Want a Cheetah??

As i said befor if you have the Resources time and Money you have the Abbility to talk to the correct people to get one.

BUT

if you are like 10 and your parents will buy you one

THERE IS A PET YOU CAN GET.

There is a Pet you can get its not a Cheetah but they are Equaly as Butifull they are Very smart. they are Tame and are Demestocated

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