Reply #5: Domestic animals used to be wild too [View All]

I think that a person who keeps wild animals needs to know what they are doing and keep a careful eye on their animal. A large and/or carnivorous mammal probably shouldn't have the run of the house especially around young children. The animal would probably have to have been captured as a youngster. Young that had lost their mothers would be good candidates. Most people that rescue these young animals do release them back in the wild. This is probably the right thing to do but I don't see why it would be necessary if it had bonded with its owner and the owner is willing to care for it. If the animal has been socialized to humans at an early age, fed sufficiently, given enough exercise, kept away from small children, and treated with respect, I don't think having a pet bear or cougar would have to be that different from having a large dog. I haven't really read too much about it though so perhaps I'd want more information.