Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on November 28, 2019: I am in Oregon, but moving to Texas 2021. But I am not sure if they give them to pet owners. The prohibited pet list includes bears, wolves, large cats, alligators, elephants, primates, venomous snakes and other exotic animals. It uses its prehensile (grasping) tail to stabilize itself as it walks along tree branches. Check your local zoning regulations. Answer: No, Georgia has very extensive bans on nearly all exotics, unfortunately. The state may allow other animals under difficult conditions. Hence, they sleep during the day and remain active during the nighttime. It is illegal to own animals that can cause damage to the enviroment or to native wildlife. The possession of live native wildlife is an equal privilege to their take by hunting or trapping. There are mixed reviews about how they are as pets. News & Community. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This permit must be renewed each year, will include an inspection of the housing for the animals, and only allows you to keep up to 10 wild animals. For questions concerning the deleterious exotic wildlife law please visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. You should correct your post for Arkansas. The Migrant Kitchen. In Kentucky, no person may possess an inherently dangerous animal or endangered species. In Massachusetts, endangered and threatened species are prohibited from being kept as pets and other animals are on the list of animals that require a permit. So if you follow importation rules, you can own elk, fallow deer, and reindeer. So many pet owners already abuse or neglect regular pets, and exotics are harder to deal with and might be short changed in captivity. Confiscation of these animals will occur if they are found and were not registered by 2018. This is something vital when thinking about possums as pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. Because they've been repealed, the original text of the laws is no longer accessible on their website. Now the state has some of the strictest bans on animals in the U.S. Now only toucans, "non-feral" ungulates like bison, elk, camels, reindeer, and oxen, and hedgehogs are the most 'exotic' animals that remain legal. Owners must have proof of legal ownership. Question: Can I own a Lemur in the state of Georgia? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture forbids any deleterious animal or hybrid from being kept as a pet that can be a threat to livestock, the environment, agriculture, or wildlife without a permit. Unless you registered the animal by January 1, 2018, large wild cats, non-native bears, and great apes like chimps, gorillas, and orangutans are prohibited to be kept as pets by South Carolina law. More than 50 wild animals were set loose from a preserverequiring authorities to euthanize lions, tigers, bears, and wolves roaming the streets. Finally, there are also restrictions on releasing any non-native animal into the wild, including those that were captive bred, unless the individual holds a license or permit to do so. All photos, unless otherwise stated, are from Tambako the Jaguar Via Flickr. Hence, there can be regulations about exceptional animal possession in your area. Among the animals that are allowed though are llamas, parrots, chinchillas, and raccoons. This state specifically allows genets, elands, elk, fox, jerboa, and reindeer to be imported, but you can only have one. If you want to keep a fennec fox or domesticated skunk without a USDA license in North Carolina, you're out of luck. Alaska law also includes an extensive list of animals that do not require permits and are legal to own to help you determine if your ideal pet is allowed. Provide treats in case you need to boost its trust levels. Splashstorm Foxes, ringtails, deer, bats, native opossums, raccoons, skunks, African clawed frogs and bobcats aren't legal in NC. The state, home of Siegfried and Roy, has a large animal entertainment industry with many private owners as well as a reluctance against governmental overreach, and this might be the reason these laws have survived for so long. To acquire such a permit, many rules apply, such as implanting a tracking device, maintaining insurance, paying fees (usually between $50-100), and undergoing inspections. Permits can be obtained if you want to own a wild ferret. Question: Can I own a red Carnivora in Arizona? The hind feet have an opposable big toe that functions much like a human thumb. (However not in the Americas). Some are stolen from the wild and it can endanger the species. The purpose of a legal document is to set out the rights and responsibilities so that: they can understand them, a third party (e.g. Utah has a long list of animals that are either controlled, noncontrolled, or prohibited to be kept as pets. New Mexico law states that the health and environment department can regulate people that own primates, skunks, raccoons, foxes, or wild carnivores that carry zoonotic diseases. For example, South Carolina prohibits owning lions as pets, but you can still own a monkey. One reason for the survival of opossums is their versatile diet. and please do your research. Have it in mind that the capybara is a semi-aquatic animal, so if you desire to adopt a capybara, you must create a little pond in which the capybara can easily swim. After an unstable man (not Federer, the man mentioned below) freed several exotic animals, Ohio went from an extremely lenient exotic-pet state to much more restrictive. Class II includes more primates, bobcats, servals, caimans, and other wild animals while Class III includes all other wildlife that aren't in Class I, II, or specifically mentioned to be exempt from permitting. Unless you received a permit for the animal by 2007, you cannot possess, own, or breed any dangerouswild animal. This large African bird is on the non-controlled species list in New Hampshire. They're related to guinea pigs and look quite similar, but agoutis have stretched-looking legs. In conclusion, I would say that you must not pet an Opossum in your house. Their permits are hard to get. Animal rights corporations frequently work to make owning any wild or exotic animal illegal in the United States. A property owner or tenant is allowed to take 1 squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, beaver or skunk per incident that is causing damage to their property without a permit. Some human beings go for smaller creatures, which include hamsters, rabbits, rats, or fish. Although it sounds like a wolfdog might be "partially domesticated," a true wolfdog would be indistinguishable to the average person from a "pure wolf." Rabies-vector laws or native animal prohibitions may possibly restrict skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Domestic animals do not require a permit in Virginia but non-native, exotic animals do. I own 2 guinea pigs. The Arizona administrative code has an extensive list of animal species that you are not allowed to own without a special permit. Or any type of squirrel? The law considers non-domestic cats and dogs, bears, primates, elephants, rhinos, many reptiles, and other animals to be dangerous wild animals. If you had a primate under 35 pounds at maturity before October 1, 2010, then you may maintain ownership of that pet but following a traumatic chimpanzee attack on a woman in 2009, primates are no longer allowed as pets. The tiny animals are considered rabies vectors (despite these pets never having been found with rabies), but you can have a lion, tiger, bear, and numerous other species as long as you live in a county that doesn't prohibit it. everyone please do your research before going out and buying an exotic animal. You are restricted from owning a wide variety of exotic petsin Maryland. Hence, people dont know how to raise them. I'm moving to North Carolina b/c in Wilson, NC, ALL species are legal as of 2020. can i legally buy a raccoon and import it into tennessee? Russian lynx, along with emu, ostrich, ranch foxes, ferrets, and others, are considered to be domesticated and "alternative livestock." Are sloths legal in wyoming with a permit? Answer: No one has a Koala except about two zoos in the U.S. Question: Can you own a mink in Virginia? bans) for exotic animals. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Animals that you can have without permits include alpacas, ferrets, bison, camels, chinchillas, emus, ostriches, llamas, lemurs, sugar gliders, and giraffes. In Oklahoma, you can own almost any animal except a native bear or native large cat species. Class 1 includes tigers, bears, and chimpanzeesand they cannot be "pets." We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Many other rules apply. Deleterious animal law. This article should not be used as a source to determine what pet is legal in your state. I can only confirm that it is unlawful for a person to possess non-domesticated felines, primates, crocodiles, alligators, and wolves in New Mexico (). Answer: Not really, no. A loophole currently exempts bobcats from the ban on other felidae species and lemurs are still legal among primates. New York law states you are not allowed to own any wild animal and the state defines a wild animal as a non-domestic feline or canine or hybrid, bear, crocodile, venomous reptile, or primate. The point of this article is to list at least one interesting pet that is legal in each state; therefore, the list is far from comprehensive, and laws change all the time. Maine is a horrendous state for exotic pet owners, and the restrictions on pets are as extreme as they are indefensible. All about Louisiana Opossums, how to trap a possum, get rid of an opossum from the backyard,what kind we have, what can be done about them if they become a nuisance animal . South Carolina is one of the nations only states that allows the sale and purchase of venomous snakes at reptile shows. All exotic animals, unless specificially mentioned as exempt, require an individual permit to be kept as a pet. This state restricts potentially dangerous animals from being kept as pets. Question: Can you own a pig as a pet in Michigan? Almost all exotic animals are a TON of work to take care of and are extremely complicated. "Playing Possum" The opossum is a slow runner and when threatened will usually growl, hiss, and bare its teeth or try to escape by climbing the . However, mainly in the North. Therefore, you must provide a suitable environment so that it can sleep during the day. Many people think of opossums as pests or threatening, but they are actually shy, harmless animals that are beneficial to have around. Potentially dangerous animals in the family felidae are described as "only lions, tigers, captive-bred cougars, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, snow leopards, and clouded leopards." Laws vary based on city and county ordinances as well. I really want a gorilla but if I got one my mom would FREAK out. Burmese pythons are illegal in many states due to their size (15-20 feet) but are not listed as being illegal here (3.17/4/b/2/AA). This is another frowny-face state if you are an exotic enthusiast. Yes, all pets have the capability to capture infection or disease. Let people own what they are equipped to care for. There are numerousand rather ridiculousbans on exotic mammals as pets in most states. You can also, with a permit, own an alligator, a crocodile, various primates, and even bearsall of which are rather dangerous! Genets are opportunistic eaters that don't particularly care for being held or smothered with affection, though they will bond with an owner in a single-animal household. In the United States, every state has different laws or permit requirements for exotic animals, and wild animals ownership. They are nocturnal. California has some of the toughest laws on exotic pets in the nation.Only Hawaii's laws are more restrictive. Opossums are omnivores and eat just about anything out in the wild. Question: Can you own a koala as a pet in North Dakota? Heather Hopkins (CC BY-SA 2.0) Via Flickr. However, making a difference can assist solve any issues youre dealing with. In What states are you allowed to own a caracal?? Question: Can you own an otter in New York? You also can't have foxes, raccoons, or skunksbut you can own big cats like tigers. This northernmost state on the mainland boasts a climate that very few animals could survive in, yet it has a very small list of mammals (gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, sugar gliders, degus) that do not require a permit. These laws can change at any time and over the years, many states have added to their list of prohibited animals. Answer: No, one can not own a Dik-Dik in CA. Hence, your enclosure needs to be break out-proof, like an aquarium with a solid mesh top. In Arkansas, you can own bobcats, but not more than six at a time. Interestingly enough though, you can own up to six captive-bred bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, red foxes, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, or squirrels without a permit. They can grow up to nine feet tall, usually weigh around 400 pounds, and are known to be aggressive and territorial. They need a lot of protein, low fat, and dry food. . In Tennessee, a marsupial is a "Class III" animal. (Drawings by Kim A. I'm seeing different sources saying it is and others saying it is not. Question: Can you own a cougar in California? Conflicts . This proves that common sense can enter the brains of elected officials when looking at the harmless animal in the flesh. And so many dogs/cats are sitting in shelters, discarded, in kill shelters, etc. You are also prohibited from keeping ferrets, gerbils, owls, primates, hedgehogs, sloths, anteaters, and many other animals. Genets are small mammals that have a fox-like nose and face, with a car-like body and a lemur-like tail. Which I will definitely get if it's an animal I want! *UPDATE: Virginia banned all foxes in 2017. Michigan defines any animal that is not native to the U.S. as an exotic animal and restricts the ownership of wolf-dog hybrids, many large cats and bears. In New Jersey, you need a permit to keep ferrets, kinkajous, coati, European hedgehogs, a variety of snakes including pythons, llamas, and some birds. Indiana is one of the more lenient states when it comes to exotic animal ownership. Am I allowed to own a toucan in colorado? The possum will probably need to run out of the house, just like other pets. All you need to do is obtain a Wildlife Hobby Permit. Fennec foxes are the only non-domesticated member of canidae because owners of the tiny foxes lobbied for them and brought them to meet legislators while they conceptualized the bill. There is no existing "license to take and possess as a pet", but you could try under trapping licenses. According to North Dakota law, inherently dangerous or environmentally hazardous animals require a license to be kept as pets. The detailed text of the above-cited legislation states that for Class III animals, "This class requires no permits except those required by the department of agriculture." I have no idea what the department of agriculture regulates, but for what it's worth, Class III also . For the purpose of this chapter, "wildlife" means a member of the animal kingdom including without limitation a mammal, fish, bird, amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, or other invertebrate. 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