Tigers are fearsome jungle animals that are nearly universal symbols of ferocity, strength, and bravery, but Orlando, Florida resident Janice Haley, age 57, has a different opinion. These dangerous creatures are also adorable kittens in her eyes. When you see her playing with her two exotic pets, Janda, a 400-pound Bengal tiger, and Saber, a 600-pound white Bengal tiger, you’ll understand why; they are just as loving and playful as their smaller domesticated counterparts.
Haley explains, “As far as they are concerned, I am their mother.” “These adorable cats rub me in the face, and they’ll let me kiss them on the nose.” Three times a day, she feeds her two pet tigers by hand from an enclosure in her courtyard.
Haley resigned her mundane desk job in 1995 and, per her husband’s recommendation, began working with exotic cats. Since then, she has had a variety of various large cats, as well as numerous volunteers to help care for and play with them.
Haley acknowledged, “People who consider it cruel to keep them in captivity are partially correct.” “A cage is not the optimal environment for a wild animal. But at this point, in the wild, there isn’t much hope left for them, and if there aren’t any left in enclosures in a couple of years, there won’t be any left at all… They are cared for and cherished here. I wouldn’t mind being a tiger in my backyard, in my opinion.”
