Exotic Pets Legal In California

Exotic is a subjective term when talking about pets so california has assembled a pretty extensive and convuluted list of restricted pets non dangerous exotic animal e g.

Exotic pets legal in california. Arizona law prohibits all species of the genus didelphis which consists of american opossums of which all are cat sized and the most common member is the virginia opossum which is native to north america. They are not allowed as pets said andrew hughan of the state department of fish and wildlife. It s legal to own these wild cats in nevada idaho wisconsin alabama south carolina north carolina and west virginia without a license required. However there are only a few exotic pets legal in california.

California has some of the strictest laws in the nation on animal ownership. California has some of the toughest laws on exotic pets in the nation. There doesn t appear to be any other listing for other opossum species making non didelphis species legal. Only hawaii s laws are more restrictive.

Some animals are banned as pets because they aren t meant to be domesticated others are dangerous to california s ecosystem. In california most exotic mammals are illegal including ferrets. You do not need permits for common pet animals including exotic pets like sugar gliders ferrets savannah cats foxes prairie dogs raccoons and skunks. The laws regarding exotic pet ownership vary by state.

The california fish and game code makes it a misdemeanor to keep as a pet any animal that is endangered or which the department considers a threat to public health and safety or to native fish wildlife or agriculture. They include the water buffalo yaks pot bellied pigs alpaca and llamas. This includes the short tailed. Animal rights advocates advise against keeping most wild animals in captivity but that hasn t stopped exotic pet lovers from legally owning.

California has very strict laws about what types of animals homeowners can keep as pets. The list of animals that cannot be kept as pets is long and detailed and maintained by the california department of fish. They are popular in the exotic pet trade. Are tenrecs legal in california.

Ronnie macdonald cc by 2 0 9. Several ungulate species are legal in california although most are actually domesticated even though they are considered exotic.