Things You'll Need:
- Veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals
- Enclosure
- Meat delivery service
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Step 1
Find a veterinarian who will treat exotic animals before you attempt to build an enclosure and own an animal. Many vets will not treat dangerous animals and those who specialize in exotic pets may charge high premiums for such services.
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Step 2
Construct an appropriate enclosure before you legally own a pet tiger. The enclosure must be strong enough to prevent the tiger from escaping, and it must have an area of 500 to 1000 square feet per animal. The main entrance of the cage should be double-gated with a guillotine door, so you can contain the tiger while you clean the cage and deliver food.
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Step 3
Schedule a federal inspection for the enclosure with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA before you legally own a pet tiger. An inspector will arrive to determine that you have followed all of the required safeguards. You will then need to keep accurate records of the care of your pet tiger, including visits to the veterinarian, for annual APHIS inspections.
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Step 4
Contact the wildlife agency in your state to obtain permits for owning your pet tiger. You may have to acquire additional permits from county and city agencies as well. Your ability to have permits renewed on an annual basis may also depend upon your compliance with APHIS guidelines.
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Step 5
Choose a source for the delivery of fresh meat for your pet tiger, since simple steaks and hamburger from the grocery store will not suffice. A tiger's diet is based on eating an entire animal, including the bones, which supply calcium. Horsemeat, mixed with whole chickens, is often a satisfactory source of nutrition for a tiger.
