Answer: No. Otters are illegal in New York under their fur laws, as far as I know. Maryland prohibits the possession of many pets, including: The usual suspects are all unjustifiably banned in this state without a permit. To obtain such approval, many rules apply, such as the implementation of a tracking device, the maintenance of insurance, the payment of fees (usually between $50 and $100) and the conduct of inspections. However, skunks are legal as long as they are bred in captivity. Skunkhaven recommends keeping your receipt to prove that your skunk is not caught in the wild. The Colorado Wildlife Act does not allow you to keep most exotic animals as pets. These include wildebeest, wild boar, raccoon, skunk, hedgehog, opossum, squirrels, porcupines, monk parakeets and primates. You can keep some native reptiles. Connecticut`s bans are also extensive and ridiculous. It is difficult to obtain an exemption as a licensed issuer or an educational institution. Almost all interesting exotic animals are prohibited, including hybrids such as a greyhound or a savannah cat. While the text may be ambiguous, the Connecticut state code states that people without a poaching license cannot possess more than one of the following (meaning you can legally own one): a partridge (optional pear), otter, beaver, or raccoon.

Patagonian maras are large rodents that look like deer. Can I legally buy a raccoon and import it into Tennessee? Because of the danger associated with pet ownership, some states completely prohibit the possession of wild or exotic animals, while most simply limit ownership to certain species. For example, South Carolina prohibits the possession of lions as pets, but you can still own a monkey. In Arkansas, you can own bobcats, but no more than six at a time. South Dakota allows you to keep a bear on your property, but domestic pigs are prohibited. While the new regulation doesn`t mention any other states by name, issues with non-native wildlife in Florida and Georgia are believed to be driving the change. A variety of non-native animals are ravaging the South Florida ecosystem. In Georgia, the discovery of a 4-foot South American lizard called Tegu in two counties led wildlife officials to tell residents to “shoot it on sight.” Tegus are popular in the exotic pet trade. The possession of large carnivores such as lions, tigers and bears is illegal, as are monkeys, baboons and macaques.

There is also a limit of six animals per owner for bobcats, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, quail, opossums, coyotes, deer, red foxes and gray foxes. If you acquired an animal in another state, you must prove that it was acquired legally. West Virginia recently passed regulations for “dangerous wildlife” that allow people to apply for permits to keep them. Non-pet animals may be kept as pets: coyotes, mink, weasels, muskrats, beavers, opossums, ferrets and otters, red and grey foxes, skunks, bobcats, fishermen and raccoons. Are hedgehogs, pythons, chinchillas, turtles, cockatoos, ferrets, skunks, chameleons, capybaras or pigs legal in Washington State? Georgia considers almost all exotic animals to be “inherently dangerous,” whether this is true or not. For example, wallabies and non-domestic rabbits are on the list of people who need a permit, and it`s not clear if that permit can be obtained from the average pet owner. However, the order excludes artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates), bison (which are actually dangerous), water buffalo and llamas, probably because they are considered livestock. Melissa cares for a variety of exotic animals and holds a certificate in veterinary assistance and a bachelor`s degree in biology. Oregon lists some wild animals as uncontrolled, and therefore, these pets do not need a permit: The Department of Health has reserved the authority to issue regulations for the following animals as pets: The purpose of this article is to list at least one interesting pet that is legal in each state; As a result, the list is far from complete and laws are constantly changing. This article should not be used as a source to determine which pet is legal in your state.

Laws also vary depending on city and county ordinances. So you should do your own independent research. Ferrets may be kept as pets provided that permission is obtained within two weeks of acquiring the animal. Maybe you`ve always wanted to own a pet monkey, or you`re wondering if it`s legal for your neighbor to have that cougar in their yard. Luckily for your curiosity, every state has exotic animal laws that allow, restrict, or prohibit the ownership of certain animal species. The following article describes some of these state laws in more detail. Exotic pet owners fear this state because it has some of the strictest exotic pet laws. It is a state that bans ferrets under the guise of environmental protection – although its inhabitants regularly defy the law and invasive ferrets have not been observed. Don`t come to California unless you`re only interested in birds and reptiles. You must have an exotic wildlife license to have an exotic pet, including: However, it`s important to keep in mind that while your state may allow you to keep certain pets as pets, there are often county or city rules that further restrict or prohibit this ownership.

In addition, state laws change frequently as public safety and animal welfare concerns evolve, so you should always check for new or proposed state or local laws. Laws often exempt individuals and organizations who own exotic animals for exhibition, scientific or educational purposes. Even if you owned an exotic pet before a certain date, you can be a grandfather if you registered on time or got a permit. But even if you are allowed to own a certain type of animal, you can be held responsible for any injury or damage caused by your exotic pet, which can be serious. People in Alabama keep all sorts of animals as pets — and sometimes they seem to escape or be freed — but not all furry or scaly friends are legal here. Prohibited animals range from the most obvious – lions, tigers, bears, wolves – to the most obscure, such as mongoose (banned in Alabama) and raccoon dogs (banned in South Dakota and Kentucky). Some regulations seem absurd: in Colorado, you can own a bison, but not a hedgehog. Fiasco. In New Mexico, you can`t own undomesticated cats, primates, crocodiles, alligators, skunks, bears, and wolves.

You must complete an application for a pet driver`s licence. Some native wild-caught animals can be kept as pets without a permit as long as their environment complies with regulations. Including: Delaware has allowed the following pets as pets without a license: Many do not know that fur foxes are considered domesticated; However, they are not as domesticated as Russian domesticated foxes were bred experimentally as pets. “Wild” foxes are not legal, but Michigan domestic foxes are legal as long as you get a health certificate. The California Agency of Natural Resources has banned most wildlife, including seals, bighorn sheep and hawks, from being kept in California in the same way as pets. You are also prohibited from keeping all non-native dogs and cats, elephants, crocodiles and more. The exceptions to this law are cattle, alpacas, llamas and camels. The following exotic animals may be kept as pets without a license: Alabama law restricts the possession, sale, importation or release of certain animals and fish. Others need special permits before they can be detained in the state.

Here are some of the pets you can`t keep as pets in Alabama (not that you want a piranha as a pet, of course.) Mackenzie Maxwell has always been interested in law and has been involved in legal matters since 2010. She served in Congress for a time, as a member of Silvestre Reyes` communications team, helping voters understand House of Representatives laws. She remained active in local politics to understand the laws that govern her area. As a writer, Mackenzie has worked with several lawyers to create thoughtful and useful content. I own 2 guinea pigs. I really hope they never become illegal! This state was somewhat exotically friendly, but then they stopped issuing licenses to pet owners. You categorize exotic animals, and you have to call to find out what the law is. But all equines, including zebras, are legal and only need a veterinary control certificate if they are imported. Maria Zakharova: No, Georgia unfortunately has very extensive bans on almost all exotics. www.animallaw.info/statute/ga-exotic-pets-.

It`s very unusual for a northeastern state, but raccoons and skunks, two important vectors of rabies, are legal if purchased from a licensed breeder and if you get a license for game in captivity. Pets with “inherently dangerous wild animals” are prohibited unless they belonged before 13.07.2005, including: No permit is required for the possession of farm animals or pets, pets or conventional animals, including but not limited to: Some animals are prohibited as pets because they are harmful to the environment, These include: Some animals can be taken out of the wild and kept as pets without permission, as long as they are safely trapped. Includes: Virginia allows you to keep primates as pets. Other animals that do not require permits include llamas, alpacas, camels and chinchillas.