If the male lion is known as the King of the Jungle, then the cheetah is given the title as the King of Race Tracks. Just kidding. But the matter of fact is that cheetahs happen to be the fastest land-dwelling animals in the world. They run as fast as racing cars with a recorded speed of 68 to 75 miles per hour.
Aside from their speed, they are also beautiful creatures that fascinating tan-colored bodies with so many black spots. And because of these few qualities, cheetahs have been raised as pets nowadays, especially in the royal households in the middle east countries. Interestingly, there are other people who want to raise their own pet cheetah but couldn’t do so because the animals are too expensive. With that said, how much does a cheetah cost?
Average Cost of a Cheetah
For your reference, cheetahs are not actually sold anywhere, not even in the US. They are mostly done on the black markets because it’s illegal to sell such endangered animals. In the middle east region, however, selling of cheetahs is entirely prohibited by the law. There are even advertisements of such business online.
In most cases, owners buy the animals while they are still babies to make sure that they are tamed, as they get used to the presence of humans. And in that regard, the baby cheetah price, based on Chitku Free Classifieds, can start at 5,000 AED (Arab Emirates Dirham). That’s around $1,300 if you convert it to dollars. The prices can go higher, depending on the seller. If you happen to see cheaper prices, just be careful. They may not be legit businesses.
What do you get for your payment? The cheetahs are 12 weeks old. The breeders or sellers claim that the animals are well-trained and have already been registered with The International Cat Association (TICA). Other exotic cats, like bobcats, caracals, ocelots, lion, and tiger cubs, are as expensive as cheetahs, having a minimum price of $900.
Additional Costs
Taking care a cheetah isn’t as easy as taking care of a normal cat. Since they normally live in the wild, cheetahs have special needs that are expensive to purchase. In that regard, here are the things that you need to prepare for this particular type of wildcat. They have separate prices, so expect to spend more than the price of a baby cheetah.
- Cage
– It is not the typical metal cage where you keep a dog or a cat. The cage for a big cat is a piece of land where it can freely run around. And considering that cheetah loves to run, the need big spaces where they can do what they want to do. As such, you need to, at least, a 5-acre cage, which can range from $10,000 to $75,000 per acre. The most affordable acreage price is in rural areas.
– In many states, there are federal guidelines that require you to set up an 8-foot perimeter around the 5-acre cage. This would cost around $8,000.
- Food and Vitamins
– Cheetahs are generally carnivorous, so they eat meat most of the time. While you are buying their food, don’t forget their vitamins as well. They need to supplements to keep them in top shape. For these necessary items, you can budget $750 to $2,000 per year.
- Veterinarian and Vaccinations
– If your cheetah has been scheduled for annual shots (rabies and vaccinations), you only need to pay the veterinarian fee that can range from $125 to $250, depending on the cheetah’s current size.
– Cat deworming is around $45 to $60 per month, while the flea prevention treatment costs from $120 to $250 every year.
- Permits and Insurances
– Due to the laws behind endangered animals, you will need to acquire state and federal permits allowing you to bring and take care of a cheetah. But be wary. Getting these documents can be a difficult and draining task, so you better prepare yourself for it – both financially and physically. You will have to pay more than $200 every year for the licenses and permits. If you don’t renew every year, then your cheetah will definitely be confiscated.
– Aside from the necessary permits, most states will also require you to get a liability insurance, which costs a hefty $10,000 to $14,000 annually. The fee depends on your safety records.
- Toys
– When cheetahs are completely tamed, you can play with them. You can have a big and bouncy 125-pound ball that costs $250, including the shipping fee. For baby cheetahs, $50-ball will work just fine.
More Information on Cheetahs
In the ideal world, cheetahs are naturally wild animals, which means they thrive in the undomesticated environment. Unlike normal cats, they have never been tamed or domesticated. However, history records reveal that cheetahs were already kept as house pets more than a thousand years ago and were regarded as a status symbol. In fact, only the royal families and high-profile personalities were allowed to keep cheetahs in their properties.
Apparently, such symbolism is highly evident today as cheetahs become a more common pet of rich people, particularly in the United Arab Emirates. Many royal princes own a cheetah, while others own a tiger or a lion. But just recently, the oil-rich Gulf country passed a new law that bans the business and possession of endangered animals, including cheetahs, lions, and tigers.
According to CNN, anyone who is caught bringing or walking their exotic pets will face up to six months of imprisonment. The authorities will also confiscate their pets as part of the punishment. The newly passed law is going to be effective immediately, and pet owners are required to give the animals to the authorities as soon as possible.
“The UAE has come a long way … I am happy to see that the law has been passed, but steps need to be taken to ensure that it is implemented properly,” said Ronel Barcellos, Abu Dhabi Wildlife Center Manager, in an interview with CNN.