Each year, millions of wild animals are sold as pets across the United States. According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition it is impossible to record the number of wild animals in private homes. The group estimates ownership includes 7,000 tigers, 10,000 to 20,000 large cats, 17.3 million birds, 8.8 million reptiles, and at least 3,000 apes, like chimpanzees and gorillas.
Many of them become too dangerous to keep at home, the coalition says. That, as well as increased costs, leads the owners get rid of them.
That's where SC CARES comes in. Skip Yeager and Cindy Henrick, co-founders of the Georgetown animal sanctuary, house 160 animals on their property. Those animals range from African tortoise to wolf-dog hybrids. They say they've had to turn away more then 400 animals because they don't have enough space.
Usually, visitors to the sanctuary must call and book a two-hour tour in advance if they want to visit. The couple held an open house Sunday afternoon to raise awareness about wildlife breeding.
"It's got to stop," Henrick said.
South Carolina laws specify an owner must have a permit to own live wildlife. If not, they can be slapped with a mandatory fine as high as one thousand dollars or up to six months in jail.
