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Wildlife as Pets – What’s the Law?

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Check out your local laws and make your voice heard

By Liz Stelow, D.V.M.

Last week, I wrote about whether an exotic or wildlife species could be a good choice as a pet. Now, I’m going to address a larger issue: Should our native wildlife and many non-native wildlife species, even be allowed as pets?

I’m not necessarily arguing that ferrets, hedgehogs and sugar gliders be banned from all states. But what about hyenas, wolves, bobcats, raccoons or monkeys? Even with a trend toward limiting ownership of these species, surprisingly many states allow them to be kept as pets, with few or no restrictions.

Fortunately, 20 states already ban virtually all exotic and wildlife species as pets. As more high-profile injuries occur, like the tragic chimp attack in Connecticut and the fatal bear mauling in Ohio, this number will likely rise.

All states must abide by federal regulations, such as the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act. But states are allowed to design their own regulations for the species that are not protected federally. And the regulations vary from the very strict (California and Hawaii) to the very liberal (Idaho and Nevada).

The most lenient states when it comes to exotic pet ownership are Alabama, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Some of these regulate native species, but have no restrictions at all on non-native animals. In many of these states, you can grab a raccoon from your backyard and make it a pet (not recommended, by the way).

In Nevada, you can keep wolves, wild cats, even elephants (although, for some reason, alligators, raccoons and coyotes are banned).

Idaho appears to have no ban on any particular species, although a permit is required for ownership of most exotics.

Missouri requires you to “register” your carnivores or “dangerous” reptiles, but does not appear to regulate anything else.

While Ohio recently passed legislation banning “dangerous” pets (and requiring current owners to register their existing dangerous pets), there is no apparent regulation of wildlife not considered to be dangerous.

Several other states either have a partial ban, based on species, or require licensing/permitting for wildlife species. In most of these states, large carnivores and apes are banned. But in Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Virginia, and Kansas, animals that are not banned are also not regulated. That means you can own monkeys in Nebraska and Virginia – or wolf-hybrids in Louisiana – without a permit. In Arkansas, you are allowed up to six coyotes, bobcats, opossums or raccoons. Again, these states allow for the acquisition of backyard wildlife, as long as they are not banned species.

Fortunately, 20 states already ban virtually all exotic and wildlife species as pets. As more high-profile injuries occur, like the tragic chimp attack in Connecticut and the fatal bear mauling in Ohio, this number will likely rise. Organizations like the Humane Society of the United States, Born Free USA and others are actively advocating for changes to the most liberal of these laws.

If you live in one of the more lenient states, I’m sure your state’s leaders would like to hear your views on the topic. You can contact your representative to your state’s government, your state fish and wildlife organization or the national organizations listed above to make your voice heard.

Disclaimer: State laws are change quickly and the “current” laws presented here may not be current for long. Please see either Born Free USA or the Animal Legal and Historical Center for the latest updates.

Previous Post: From Ferrets to Foxes: Exotic Animals as Pets

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Liz Stelow is a veterinarian living in Davis, California. She is also a busy mom and the author of a pet health blog at PetDoctorMom.com.