Are exotic pets legal in the US?

There are no licenses or permits required for ownership of exotic animals, including lions, tigers, monkeys, or bears. If you plan to exhibit any of the wild animals, a permit is required.

Can you have a platypus as a pet in the US?

Notably, they are one of the few mammals that are venomous and are also illegal as pets.

What happens if you illegally own an animal?

A civil fine of $500 – $10,000, plus the costs of the animal’s removal, storage and care, and/or. Criminal prosecution for a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

Can you own a giraffe in USA?

Finally, there are nine states (Florida, Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, and Nebraska) where there is a partial ban on exotic animals, which means a giraffe would be illegal. In the remaining 20 states, owning an exotic animal is totally illegal.

What states can you own a wolf?

These are Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Wyoming. Zoos, educational institutions, circuses and other organizations are often exempt, but permits are not issued to private citizens.

Which is exotic pets are legal in the United States?

Nevada has the loosest exotic pet laws, where some animals such as tigers, non-human primates, elephants, and wolves are legal to own without a permit. However, alligators, crocodiles, coyotes, foxes, raccoons are not legal to own in the state. California also has strict exotic pet laws, which include ferrets, sugar gliders, and hedgehogs.

Is it legal to keep an exotic animal in Ontario?

As discussed above Ontario is the only province that has no legislation for keeping exotic animals as pets at a provincial level. Quebec has specific laws that relate to keeping an animal as a pet without a permit.

Is it OK to keep exotic animals as pets?

The issue of keeping exotic pets is a divisive one. Animal rights activists are up in arms over it, while there is also no consensus among experts. This PetPonder article will shed some more light on this debate.

Is it legal to own an exotic animal in Nevada?

Nevada has the loosest exotic pet laws, where some animals such as tigers, non-human primates, elephants, and wolves are legal to own without a permit. However, alligators, crocodiles, coyotes, foxes, raccoons are not legal to own in the state.

Why we should ban exotic pets?

Exotic pets can be dangerous also because these animals are not native. They can bring a flood of diseases which can be even incurable sometimes or can have long-term disorders in humans. This is why exotic pets can be dangerous if not vaccinated properly.

What exotic animals are legal in the US?

Nevada This state is famous for being one of the most lenient states for exotic pets where lions, bears, and elephants are technically legal. However, tiny 2 pound fennec foxes and a few native animals aren’t. However, sloths should be legal to own.

Should exotic animals be kept as pets?

Many activists and animal rights advocates staunchly oppose keeping exotic animal as pets and argue: Exotic animals are wild animals. Some of these animals are very dangerous. Some wild animals may carry infections and diseases. Some animals (parrots, for example) have very long lifespans and mean a very long term commitment for owners.

Why exotic animals are not pet?

Not good pets. PAWS believes that exotic animals should not be kept as pets because of the inherent risks to human health and safety, and the cruelty involved in keeping such animals in unnatural environments. These include animals such as monkeys and other non-human primates, reptiles (iguanas, etc.), “pocket pets”…