The ability to legally possess a cheetah is now strictly limited to specific authorized entities:
: Even in states that previously had no regulations (like Alabama, Nevada, and North Carolina), the federal law now supersedes local policy regarding private pet ownership. Cost of Ownership how to buy a cheetah
Buying a cheetah is in the United States and most other countries due to international and federal conservation laws. Historically, while some states had loopholes, the Big Cat Public Safety Act , enacted in December 2022, effectively ended the private ownership of big cats as pets nationwide. Legal Restrictions The ability to legally possess a cheetah is
: Only AZA-accredited zoos , research facilities, and registered sanctuaries may legally possess them under strict federal and state permits. Legal Restrictions : Only AZA-accredited zoos , research
For the rare entities (like zoos) that can legally care for a cheetah, the financial requirements are massive: