He was hooked
As frequently described on the show, spending time with exotic animals such as lions, tigers and monkeys can be addictive. It is a feeling that’s hard to describe, and as portrayed on the show, it’s an intoxicating feeling, one that exotic animal owners share only with each other.
In a way, although they refuse to see it, Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin have a lot in common; aside from their love for big cats, they both have a flamboyant, questionable style. Of course, Carole would say she’s in the big cat business from the goodness of her heart, while Joe is in for the money, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.