'I don't want a lion. I can't have a lion. I'm pretty sure it's illegal': Uncle with good intentions wants to gift his nephew a lion cub, the panicked nephew refuses, but the lion has already been bought

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Nov 25, 2025 10:00 AM EST

You know how we always talk about how much we wish we could own big cats the same way that we have regular house cats? Like, in an ideal world. In a purrfect world. Because big cats are just regular cats… but big, right? They certainly act like it. And although we know - yes, we actually do know - that big cats are wild and beautiful creatures, we have also seen people online befriend lions and people raise cheetahs and remain friends with them. So, we know that it's pawssible. 

Still, with all that said, if someone ever came up to us and asked us whether we actually wanted to have one… sure, in that purrfect world, we would say yes. But in the real world, we would have probably panicked the same way that the person in this story did. Maybe, at some point in his life, this person mentioned to their uncle that they love lions, but we don't think that they ever actually expected to be offered a cub one day. 

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  • 01

    "KY: SERIOUS: I may need to get rid of a lion"

    image of a lion cub with its tongue out
    via Unsplash / Jeff Rodgers - jrodgers51

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I know this sounds crazy. It is crazy, but it is real. My uncle has owned multiple exotic animals in his time (a lion and a bear) and has a permit to own those animals in another state.
    via himynameisalex
  • 03
    A friend of his in this exotic animal world has had a litter of lion cubs and "owes [my uncle] a favor" and he wants to GIVE ME A LION. I don't want a lion. I can't have a lion. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to have one in Kentucky. He may have already paid for this lion, and he is serious and adamant I need to have this lion cub. I thought he was joking. He was not.
    via himynameisalex
  • 04
    I am desperately hoping we can convince him how horrible of an idea it would be if he actually delivers the lion, but just in case, how do I get rid of a lion?! What would I be facing, legally, if I suddenly were in possession of one? What would happen to him if he were caught in Kentucky with the lion?
    via himynameisalex
  • 05
    Sorthum I specialize in Dog Law, not Lion law. That said: where on the Lion Scale (which ranges from "it's a poodle with a lion cut" to "it's an actual goddamned lion") does this particular lion fall?
    via Sorthum
  • 06
    OOP It's an actual, six week old, god damned lion. He called it a "short- maned lion."
    via himynameisalex

  • Well… we have to say that we have some conflicting feelings about this. Because on the one hand, if someone offered us a lion cub, we would be oh so tempted to just sneak it into our home and raise it forever. On the other hand… sigh, of course you did the right thing by refusing it. 

  • 07
    Sorthum Let's talk Kentucky Lion Laws. ("Did you say 'lemon laws?"" "No, I did not.") Unless you're a zoo, a licensed preserve, or the lion serves a medical necessity (I would pay good money to see you take your Emotional Support Lion to work), you can't have one. If you try to have one anyway, expect the local constabulary to be quite displeased with you.
    via Sorthum
  • 08
    OOP Ha, I'm actually in graduate school getting a doctorate in Psychology, and one of my cohorts suggested training it to be a "therapy lion."
    via himynameisalex
  • 09
    Thing is, though, I don't want the lion and am trying to not have one. My uncle has said he will drop the lion off (I believes he thinks when I see it I'll fall head over heels for this dangerous, expensive creature).
    via himynameisalex
  • 10
    What happens if he does and I have to spend time trying to get rid of it? Word spreads quickly and WHEN the police find out soon after the fact what happens? A fine? Would they take the lion off my hands (please)?
    via himynameisalex
  • 11
    advocate4 IANAL but a licensed psychologist. If KY has caretaker laws like some states do, you should explain to your uncle that any criminal issues could make licensure an issue. Just a charge in some states will draw board scrutiny you don't want. Letting him know this could hurt your career may be enough to dissuade him.
    via advocate4
  • 12
    OOP That is a fantastic point. Goodness knows I don't want to put my license in jeopardy after (hopefully) passing the EPPP.
    via himynameisalex
  • 13
    redditRW Perhaps you could convince your Uncle to donate the lion to a zoo in your state? That way you could "visit it all the time." (Well, he doesn't have to know. He's happy, your happy, zoo is happy. Win- win-win.
    via redditRW
  • 14
    Regarding the "therapy lion" Breakuptrain "Mrs. Jones, i have good news and bad for you. The good first. little Johnny no longer suffers. from fear of large mammals and will no longer wet the bad. The bad news, regrettably, is that our therapy lion. unfortunately..."
    via Breakuptrain
  • 15
    More on the uncle When my uncle had a bear he didn't have a bite suit. It did try to kill him, though.
    via himynameisalex
  • 16
    When asked to update I will update hopefully with the news that he has decided to not go and get the cub from the guy. Wish me luck.
    via himynameisalex
  • 17
    image of a cute lion cub
    via Unsplash / taylor gregory - taylorngregory

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    June 15, 2017 (7 months after OG post [deleted] Hey you. What happened to the lion man? We need to know
    via himynameisalex
  • 19
    OOP My mother called the uncle who had the lion (who is her brother) and told him in no uncertain terms that lions will not be welcomed.
    via himynameisalex
  • 20
    He has since discussed other, more legal but still exotic animals that he wants to give to me but hasn't actually bought any like he did with the lion. Last I heard the lion was being donated or sold to a zoo. He won't tell me much and I think it's because he feels bad and awkward about it.
    via himynameisalex
  • 21
    [deleted] Thank you. I needed that follow up in my life. OOP No problem! I am glad to report there isn't a lion at my home. Win/win.
    via himynameisalex
  • 22
    image of a lion cub yawning
    via Unsplash / Kurt Cotoaga

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 23
    AnneOnimiss Do you want an exotic animal? I'm confused why he's so stuck on giving you one. It didn't sound like you wanted the lion, so why does he want to get you something else so bad?
    via AnneOnimiss
  • 24
    OOP I don't want an animal. I have a cat (who is awesome) and I can only have one pet anyway in my current apartment, which is fine.
    via himynameisalex
  • 25
    He's an impulsive person and has the ideology that life is an adventure and sometimes you need to do crazy things because you only have one life to live. I totally agree, but I also think those crazy things shouldn't involve illegal and highly stressful situations...
    via himynameisalex
  • 26
    I also think this is one way he shows love for family and friends. He's very generous. I have had some weird pets in the past, like an axolotl, and I know he has enjoyed having his large pets so he probably wants me to also have that opportunity.
    via himynameisalex
  • 27
    My uncle is certainly eccentric and makes questionable decisions, but he's in no way an asshole. He doesn't do things out of malice, but is very kind and generous. In fact, the last time he bought a lion he got it from a large game auction and then organized getting it to a zoo, so saved its life. People aren't perfect and, unfortunately, this issue only showed one aspect of him.
    via himynameisalex
  • 28
    Cheezburger Image 10579256832
    via Unsplash / Gabriel Schumacher

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • We were worried for a moment, we can't lie, that your uncle was not the kindest of men, but now that we know he's doing all of this with good intentions, all that we want is to know more about the animals that he has rescued over time. 

  • 29
    [deleted] Relax man, we all know your uncle is both eccentric and awesome. The only thing you could do to convince us even more is some images of these exotic animals you talk about :)
    via himynameisalex
  • 30
    OOP Oh that's a good idea. I'll call and see if he has any. He just built a house so maybe he has them somewhere without having to dig.
    via himynameisalex

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hilarious cat cub gift lol funny cats uncle ridiculous silly lion Cats funny
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