Why does Georgia College not have a live bobcat mascot?
In Georgia, no permits are issued for non-commercial possession of wild felines, i.e. no pets allowed. A Wildlife Exhibition permit has regulations that specify humane handling, care, confinement and transportation of wildlife. It requires that you must be USDA-licensed, must have cages with scientific names posted, must conduct a minimum of 12 hours education per year, and have special requirements for rabies-prone animals including bobcats. There are specifications for humane handling, care, confinement and transportation of wildlife, and you must have proof that no local ordinances forbid holding wildlife. Due to these regulations and the current facilities we cannot accommodate a live bobcat mascot without a significant endowment to support the program.
