All those big wild cats come to mind when it comes to down majestic creatures. From the ferocious lion to the powerful tiger, the swift cheetah to the delicate leopard, there’s something for everyone. However, not only being around these massive felines, but also sharing a home with them, is not a good idea. This woman in Florida, on the other hand, appears to disagree.
While most of us relax in our gardens, Janice Haley of Orlando, Florida decided to turn hers into a playground for her kittens. When I say kitties, I’m referring to two massive Bengal tigers. Despite Janda’s 400-pound weight and Saber’s 600-pound weight, the 57-year-old woman claims they’re gentle giants who love to play and cuddle like any other kitten. Janice explained, “As far as they’re concerned, I’m mommy. They’ll let me kiss them on the nose if they rub my face.”
Janice has always been fascinated by large wild cats, and in 1995 she left her job to care for wild animals such as tigers, lions, and leopards. She met Janda in 2002, and five years later she adopted Saber, who was only two weeks old at the time. Since then, the woman has lived with the two unusual pets in her home.
No wild animal should be kept in captivity, according to the woman. In some cases, however, they don’t have a choice because they wouldn’t survive in the wild. “A cage is not the best environment for a tiger,” Janice told Bored Panda. “But there isn’t much hope for them in the wild at this point, and if there aren’t some left in cages, there won’t be any left in a couple of years.”
Janda and Saber are hand-fed three times a day by the woman. She even enlisted the help of some volunteers to assist her with the magnificent creatures. “They’re taken care of and loved here,” the woman explained. “I wouldn’t mind being a tiger in my backyard, in my opinion.” Janice enjoys spending time with her best friends. She even takes naps with her “babies” on occasion.
