I do think that certain exotics should require a license to own, which is true in many states. I was horrified me to learn that all the "big cats" the Ohio guy owned were declawed - if you have to declaw them for your own safety, they should not be pets.

We have been to the International Exotic Feline Sanctuary in Texas - that was our first-ever meeting with Pet Talk people (rest in peace, Molly, a.k.a. "Sammi"). They had tigers and lions there with deformities because the people who had owned them cared for them improperly. One lion, seized from a drug dealer, had legs so short he looked like a dachshund version of a big cat. The reason? His person loved him so much he was only fed good steak - so didn't get the nutrition he needed for proper development. It was sad.

I have moved this thread to "The Dog House," as it is upsetting, all the examples of reasons certain exotics should be carefully controlled.