OLDTOWN, Idaho -- For a mere $20,000, you could be the next owner of an exotic nine-year-old Bengal tiger.
The current owner, David Vanderholm, is under pressure from the community to get the tiger a larger pen, which is something they can’t afford.
Paul Koehnke/KREM 2
Nine-year-old Bengal tiger named "Lilly" can be bought for $20,000.
With the right permit, just about anyone in Idaho or Washington can own the big cat.
The tiger, named Lilly, is currently at the Newport Feed and Pet store in Oldtown, Idaho, right next to Newport, Washington.
Three people have already called interested in buying Lilly. She’s more expensive than the initial 20-thousand dollar price tag when you include her maintenance, vet bills and the five to ten pounds of meat she eats everyday.
At 350 pounds Lilly doesn’t look like a typical cat. Vanderholm says she’s just like a house cat. Vanderholm and his family got Lilly nine years ago after a federal raid in Texas ultimately saving her from being euthanized.
After years of constant complaints from the community that Lilly needs more room to roam, Vanderholm decided to see if there were any bites.
Vanderholm says there’s a good reason why Lilly’s pen isn’t any bigger. She has a form of HIV and the vet suggests limiting her movement.
Lilly should live about another 15 years. Vanderholm says if someone buys Lilly they have to promise not to euthanize her or give her to a taxidermist.
The current owner, David Vanderholm, is under pressure from the community to get the tiger a larger pen, which is something they can’t afford.
Paul Koehnke/KREM 2
Nine-year-old Bengal tiger named "Lilly" can be bought for $20,000.
With the right permit, just about anyone in Idaho or Washington can own the big cat.
The tiger, named Lilly, is currently at the Newport Feed and Pet store in Oldtown, Idaho, right next to Newport, Washington.
Three people have already called interested in buying Lilly. She’s more expensive than the initial 20-thousand dollar price tag when you include her maintenance, vet bills and the five to ten pounds of meat she eats everyday.
At 350 pounds Lilly doesn’t look like a typical cat. Vanderholm says she’s just like a house cat. Vanderholm and his family got Lilly nine years ago after a federal raid in Texas ultimately saving her from being euthanized.
After years of constant complaints from the community that Lilly needs more room to roam, Vanderholm decided to see if there were any bites.
Vanderholm says there’s a good reason why Lilly’s pen isn’t any bigger. She has a form of HIV and the vet suggests limiting her movement.
Lilly should live about another 15 years. Vanderholm says if someone buys Lilly they have to promise not to euthanize her or give her to a taxidermist.
