68A-6.0122. Standard Caging Requirements for Wild Felines  


Effective on Monday, September 30, 2019
  • 1In addition to requirements of this section, each cage or enclosure shall be equipped with a shelter(s)/nest box(es) large enough to accommodate all the animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, bones, barrels, drums, rawhide, pools, etc.

    68(1) African and Asian lions; tigers.

    74(a) For one or two animals, a cage 24 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.

    104(b) Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall accommodate all animal(s) simultaneously. Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front claws have been removed.

    133(c) Outdoor cages over 1,000 square feet (uncovered) shall have vertical jump walls at least 10 feet high, with a 2-foot, 45 degree, inward angle overhang, or jump walls at least 12 feet high, without an overhang. The inward angle fencing shall be made of the same material as the vertical fencing. Wet or dry moats may be substituted for the required fencing provided prior Commission written approval has been obtained.

    205(2) Jaguars, leopards, and cougars.

    210(a) For one or two animals, a cage 20 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.

    240(b) Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front claws have been removed.

    272(c) Outdoor cages over 1,000 square feet (uncovered) for cougars shall have vertical jump walls at least 10 feet high, with a 4-foot, 45 degree, inward angle overhang. Leopards and jaguars shall not be kept in uncovered enclosures except in facilities with wet or dry moats, which have been previously approved in writing by the Commission.

    329(3) Lesser cats (e.g., bobcats, lynx, ocelots, caracal, serval, margay, fishing cats, jungle cats, Teminick’s cats, golden cats).

    347(a) For one or two animals, a cage 12 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.

    377(b) Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front claws have been removed.

    409(4) Small cats (e.g., Geoffroy’s cats, jaguarundis, leopard cats, wildcats (Felis silvestris), mountain cats, pampas cats, marbled cats, pallas’ cats, sand cats, oncilla/tiger cats, black-footed cats, flat-headed cats, kodkods, rusty-spotted cats.)

    440(a) For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.

    470(b) Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front claws have been removed.

    502(5) Cheetahs.

    504(a) For one or two animals, a cage 40 feet by 20 feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.

    534(b) Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

    551Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 9-30-19.