Pets banned in every state

Owner beware: Your pet mongoose is not welcome hither.

Exotic animal ownership requires non just a willingness to treat unusual animals, simply an understanding of the laws that regulate wildlife in particular states.

Laws vary widely across the country, but all are designed with the intent to protect public wellness and condom from animals considered to exist inherently unsafe.

Banned animals range from the more obvious—lions, tigers, bears, wolves—to the obscure, such as mongooses (prohibited in Alabama) and the raccoon dog (banned in both South Dakota and Kentucky). Some regulations appear nonsensical: In Colorado, you can own a bison, but non a hedgehog. Bummer.

Some states have exceptions or crave owners to obtain permits for particular animals, while a scattering of states have no specific requirements for owning wild animals as pets. Many states are clear about the penalties for illegally owning exotic pets, which tin range from fees to criminal charges.

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, abet for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning big cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to run into which pets are banned in your home country, also as beyond the nation.

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Jim Harper // Wikimedia Commons

Alabama

- Banned pets: mongoose, jackrabbit, moose, deer, elk, fox

Alabama has a long listing of banned species: the mongoose, jackrabbit, moose, deer, elk, pull a fast one on, walking catfish, piranha, raccoons from outside of the country, wild rabbits or hare, coyote, skunk, and wild turkey, among others. Alabama also explicitly prohibits the release of any turkey (wild or tame) or nutria (a species of big, aquatic rodent). Residents cannot own any protected wild bird or animal, except with written permission from a designated employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource.

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Mas3cf // Wikimedia Commons

Alaska

- Banned pets: bears, monkeys, wolves, and other alive game animals

Alaska is 1 of many states that regulate exotic beast ownership through permits. Bears, monkeys, wolves, and live game animals are banned. Alaska will not issue permits for the "capture, possession, import, or export of whatever game animal" for employ as a pet. But some animals tin can be endemic every bit pets, like reindeer, llamas, and one-humped camels (dromedaries), as long as they aren't released into the wild. Some species tin can be temporarily released for the purpose of hunting or falcon training.

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Tambako The Jaguar // Flickr

Arizona

- Banned pets: jaguars, not-domestic canines, non-domestic felines, alligators, crocodiles, cobras, vipers

Don't bring your jaguar to Arizona—the species is banned in the state, though Arizona does allow residents to own certain wild animals as pets as long as they obtain special licenses and permits.

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Arkansas

- Banned pets: lion, tiger, bear, six or more bobcats, rabbits, quail, ape, baboon, macaque

If y'all own six or more bobcats, you're out of luck in Arkansas. That specific amount of bobcats is prohibited, as are whatever lions, tigers, bears, rabbits, quails, apes, baboons, and macaques. Under certain conditions, nonetheless, wolves are allowed. People can legally ain large carnivores only if they had the beast on or before the engagement the regulation went into effect—and even then, they must run into other requirements, including securing an almanac permit for personal possession.

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Marieke IJsendoorn-Kuijpers // Flickr

California

- Banned pets: wolverine, bighorn sheep, falcon

Wolverine, bighorn sheep, and shrews are some of the more unusual animals banned in the Gilt State. California law calls out specific wild species that "pose a threat to native wild animals, the agriculture interests of the state or to public health or condom."

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Colorado

- Banned pets: full general wildlife, wildebeest, raccoon, hedgehog, monk parakeet

Colorado law notes that at that place is "growing interest in the private possession of live wildlife" but also "considerable confusion over the laws regarding such private possession." The state mostly bans owning whatever species of wildlife native to Colorado, also as exotic animals. There are some exceptions, still. You can own up to six live native reptiles or amphibians as pets, except for specifically banned species. Falcons, hawks, and eagles are allowed for falconry purposes.

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Connecticut

- Banned pets: lion, leopard, bobcat, wolf, bear, chimpanzee

Connecticut considers the following animals to be dangerous and, as such, prohibited: the lion, leopard, chetah, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi true cat, puma, lynx, bobcat, wolf, coyote, and any species of acquit. Those found in violation of the law face a fine of up to $100 for each criminal offence.

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Delaware

- Banned pets: full general wildlife, non-native poisonous snakes

Delaware residents cannot ain wildlife not native to or mostly establish in Delaware without a special permit. Non-native poisonous snakes are also specifically banned. Those who break the law face a fine of up to $500 and/or a prison sentence up to 30 days.

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Florida

- Banned pets: chimpanzees, tigers, lions, crocodiles, jaguars, leopards, venomous reptiles

In 2011, a Florida woman and her young man were sentenced to 12 years in prison house later on their Burmese python escaped from its muzzle and strangled the woman's 2-yr-former daughter to expiry. Venomous reptiles, every bit well as crocodiles, chimpanzees, tigers, lions, jaguars, and leopards are banned in the state. Some wild animals are allowed via special allow.

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Georgia

- Banned pets: kangaroo, monkey, fox, wolf, crocodile, alligator, cobra

In Georgia, specific animals are banned unless the owner gets a wild animal license or permit, and even that choice is express to certain groups—like those in the wholesale or retail wild animal business, those exhibiting wild animals to the public, and those using the animals for scientific or educational purposes. Animals including kangaroos, monkeys, foxes, wolves, crocodiles, alligators, and cobras are considered "inherently unsafe" to humans under land law.

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Hawaii

- Banned pets: lion, leopard, chetah, wolf, coyote, black acquit, grizzly bear, brown bear

Hawaii explicitly bans the "uncontrolled" introduction of exotic animals, which nowadays "serious danger to the agricultural, horticultural, and aquacultural industries, natural resources, and surround of Hawaii." The law allows for an ad hoc panel made upwards of at least three people with expertise in vertebrate biological science to make up one's mind if an animal should be added to the banned list.

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Idaho

- Banned pets: big cats, all not-native canidae species, primates

Idaho law prohibits any non-native animal that is adamant to be "dangerous to the environment, livestock, agriculture, or wildlife of the land." People tin only own exotic animals with special permits. "Deleterious" animals include deer, wolves, cheetahs, jaguars, lions, tigers, sheep, and the European hedgehog (American hedgehogs welcome!), among others.

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Illinois

- Banned pets: big true cat species, wolves, jaguars, poisonous life-threatening reptiles

Illinois prohibits the ownership of designated "dangerous" animals with special exceptions for zoos, federally licensed exhibits, circuses, scientific or educational institutions, research laboratories, veterinary hospitals, or animal refuges. The following animals are considered unsafe under land constabulary: panthera leo, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, acquit, hyena, wolf, coyote, and any poisonous or life-threatening reptile. Violations of this law can result in a misdemeanor charge.

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Indiana

- Banned pets: beaver, coyote, raccoon, skunk, wolf, venomous reptiles

Without permits, people in Indiana cannot own the following: foxes, raccoons, skunks, wolves, bears, wild cats, venomous reptiles, or crocodiles. The permits toll $x each. If an "emergency exists"—i.eastward. the animal is in the position to harm another animal—that let can be suspended.

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Iowa

- Banned pets: wolf, hyena, leopard, conduct, primate, crocodile, cobra, python

A cautionary tale for exotic beast owners: Final summertime in Iowa, a 2-twelvemonth-erstwhile daughter was attacked past a pet wolf, sustaining injuries to her arm and mitt. The wolf was later euthanized. Other prohibited animals include hyenas, leopards, bears, primates, crocodiles, cobras, and pythons. Those who own legal exotic animals in Iowa are subject to almanac registration fees; a pet elephant, for case, will set yous back $500 each year.

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Kansas

- Banned pets: lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, deport, non-native venomous snake

Kansas bans large cats, bears, and non-native venomous snakes. Legal exotic pets come with stringent requirements, including registration fees, inspections, insurance coverage, and a "written recovery program" in the event that the fauna escapes.

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Kentucky

- Banned pets: tiger, lion, bear, alligator, honey badger, raccoon dog

In Kentucky, "inherently dangerous" exotic animals—including primates, tigers, lions, bears, alligators, and honey badgers—are prohibited, unless they were endemic earlier July thirteen, 2005, when the law was enacted. Other banned animals include weavers, flying foxes, jackrabbits, and raccoon dogs.

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Louisiana

- Banned pets: bear, wolf, tiger, panthera leo, leopard, jaguar, primate, pull a fast one on

In the state of Louisiana, certain "potentially dangerous" quadrupeds, large exotic cats, and non-human primates are considered to pose "significant hazards to public condom and wellness" and are deemed "detrimental to the welfare of the animals." The police force warns that the "size and forcefulness of such animals in concert with their natural and unpredictable and/or predatory nature can event in severe injury or expiry when an attack upon a man occurs." Bears, wolves, non-human primates, and big exotic cats are not immune—only with a permit, you can own a wolf/dog hybrid or venomous serpent.

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Maine

- Banned pets: behave, moose, wild turkey, deer, king of beasts, cheetah, wolf, monkey, camel, alligator, monk parakeet, mute swan

In Maine, a permit is required to ain most wild birds or animals. Several species are not allowed, however: bear, moose, wild turkey, deer, lion, chetah, wolf, monkey, camel, alligator, monk parakeet, and swan. Merely the emu, domestic ferret, sugar glider, and chinchilla are allowed without a permit.

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Maryland

- Banned pets: flim-flam, comport, alligator, tiger, leopard, wolf, monkey, certain venomous snakes, skunk

Maryland prohibits the buying of foxes, bears, alligators, tigers, leopards, wolves, monkeys, certain venomous snakes, and skunks. Consequences for violating the law are more severe here, where it'south considered a misdemeanor; if convicted, yous are subject to up to $1,000 in fines.

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Rushen // Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts

- Banned pets: non-domesticated, non-hybrid wild animals unless specifically exempted

In Massachusetts, state police force warns that wild animals, "regardless of whether or not they are born in captivity, ofttimes revert to their wild nature when sexually mature and can practise considerable impairment to persons." There are five classes of special licenses bachelor to own exotic animals.

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su neko // Wikimedia Commons

Michigan

- Banned pets: tiger, leopard, cheetah, lion, cougar, deport, wolf-hybrid (exceptions apply)

Michigan devotes several provisions to the regulation of wolf-dogs in retention of Angie Nickerson, a 5-year-old who was killed by the animal in 1989. Her mother advocated for the passage of legislation to prevent future deaths by wolf-dogs and other potentially dangerous animals.

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Minnesota

- Banned pets: "regulated animals" including bear, tiger, cheetah, leopard, monkey, lemur (exceptions employ)

Minnesota has a designated list of "regulated animals" that are not allowed, including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, servals, bears, and non-human primates. Those who qualify for exemption to ain a regulated animal must have registered the animal by March 2, 2005. A person who knowingly violates this law in Minnesota tin be charged with a misdemeanor; if an fauna causes bodily harm, the possessor can also face up a prison sentence of up to xc days and/or a fine of up to $one,000.

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Mississippi

- Banned pets: orangutans, macaques, mandrills, baboons, hyenas, elephants

Mississippi residents must obtain permits to own sure exotic animals considered dangerous. Before the permit is issued, the bidder must provide proof of liability insurance—$100,000 for each wild animal, upward to a maximum of $one 1000000. Public zoos, academy inquiry facilities, governmental agencies, transient circuses, and rehabilitation or sanctuary facilities may be exempted from the permit, if the exemption is approved by a commission.

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Missouri

- Banned pets: unregistered dangerous wild animals including ocelot, leopard, monkey, tiger, behave, wolf

In Missouri, owners of "dangerous" wild animals—including lions, wolves, or poisonous reptiles—must register their pets with their local law enforcement agency. Those who break the law face a misdemeanor charge.

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BirdPhotos.com // Wikimedia Commons

Montana

- Banned pets: ape, bat, gibbon, raccoon, skunk, alligator; more than i large carry or large cat without permit

In Montana, keeping more than one bear, large true cat, or a hybrid of a wild brute is banned without a allow. Permit and wellness certificates are required to bring certain animals into the state.

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Nebraska

- Banned Pets: comport, tiger, leopard, wolf, skunk

Special permits are required for exotic animal ownership in Nebraska, but some animals are still not immune no matter what—namely, bears, tigers, leopards, wolves, and skunks.

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Nevada

- Banned pets: alligator, crocodile, bat, coyote, fox, raccoon, moose

Pet crocodiles are banned in Nevada, only if you ain an elephant, yous're within state police force. Explicitly prohibited animals include alligators, bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and moose.

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New Hampshire

- Banned pets: bear, tiger, leopard, monkey, ape, wolf, poisonous reptile, monkey

Like many other states, New Hampshire bans bears, tigers, leopards, monkeys, apes, wolves, poisonous reptiles, and monkeys. Permits are required for some but not all species—if y'all own a chinchilla, ferret, llama, sugar glider, camel, or bison, you lot're in the clear.

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New Jersey

- Banned pets: monkey, conduct, tiger, leopard, crocodile, viper, cobra, alligator, prairie canis familiaris

Unusual animals banned in New Jersey include vipers, band-necked parakeets, and gila monsters (a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern The states). Owners of these and other prohibited "potentially dangerous" animals must accept "extensive experience in maintaining" the animal, submit a written argument of purpose for ownership, and meet other requirements in order to obtain a permit.

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New United mexican states

- Banned pets: crocodile, monkey, alligator, wolf, skunk, tiger, leopard, conduct

Usually banned wildlife are prohibited in New Mexico, such as wolves, tigers, and bears. The state requires permits to import or ain non-domestic animals.

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New York

- Banned pets: "wild animals" including tiger, leopard, monkey, cheetah, bear, crocodile

If you're interested in a marsupial or other exotic mammal, New York may be your place. The sugar glider, wallaby, kangaroo, capybara, and porcupine are allowed sans permit in the state. Merely you'll demand a permit for certain other wild animals, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, skunks, and raccoons.

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Nevit Dilmen // Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina

- Banned pets: possession of dangerous animals regulated by cities and counties

In Due north Carolina, counties and cities tin can, past ordinance, regulate, restrict, or prohibit the possession of unsafe animals. Unique bans in the land include the ringtail, a mammal of the raccoon family unit, and the marten, a small carnivorous mammal that's a member of the Mustelidae family. Permits to own these and other banned animals are only given to research institutes, public displays, or organized entertainment such every bit zoos or circuses.

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North Dakota

- Banned pets: skunk, raccoon, venomous reptile

In Northward Dakota, licenses are required for animals that are "indistinguishable from wild, indigenous species or present a health risk to wild and domestic species" and those that are considered inherently or environmentally dangerous. A "nontraditional livestock advisory council" reviews special license applications.

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Ohio

- Banned pets: lion, tiger, acquit, elephant, alligator, monkey, serval

The country of Ohio considers hippopotami, Komodo dragons, and howler monkeys, among other animals, dangerous. Snakes that are 12 feet or longer are also prohibited. Permits are required for certain situations, including exempted dangerous animals.

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Oklahoma

- Banned pets: illegal to own wildlife without license (law doesn't cite specific animals)

Any unlicensed wildlife is off the table in Oklahoma. Permits are available for $48. If bedevilled of breaking this law, you lot face a fine of no less than $100 and the revocation of your wildlife license, if you have i.

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Oregon

- Banned pets: wildcat, primate, whatever canine non indigenous to Oregon

Oregon residents must obtain a permit from the State Section of Agriculture to ain exotic animals—although exemptions are in place for certain situations. People with disabilities who rely on service monkeys, for instance, would exist granted an exemption. But in 2011, the Associated Press reported that the country would non upshot any new permits until the existing population of exotic pets thins out over the course of time.

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Pennsylvania

- Banned pets: tiger, panthera leo, monkey, crocodile, leopard

Those who want to have exotic animals as pets in Pennsylvania must go a permit from the state wildlife commission. Information technology is illegal to "neglect to exercise due care in safeguarding the public from attack past exotic wildlife," and anyone who violates that law is subject to penalties including fines.

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Bernard DUPONT // Wikimedia Commons

Rhode Island

- Banned pets: permit required for primates, carnivores, amphibia, reptilia, canidae, and insecta

To protect the people of Rhode Island from physical harm and disease, a let is required to own wild animals. If a legally owned wild animal poses a threat to public safe in some way, law enforcement can confiscate it.

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USFWS Pacific Southwest Region // Wikimedia Eatables

South Carolina

- Banned pets: coyote, wolf, tiger, king of beasts, non-native carry, groovy ape

Until this year, S Carolina was one of five states across the country with no restrictions on owning wild animals. On Jan. 1, 2018, a new law made it illegal to ain big cats, apes, or non-native bears. Wolves, coyotes, peccaries (certain species related to pigs), bison, mountain goats, mount sheep, bears, turkeys, and furbearers are as well banned.

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Due south Dakota

- Banned pets: not-domestic pig, raccoon domestic dog

Not-domestic pigs and raccoon dogs are specifically prohibited in South Dakota. Permits are necessary to ain any kind of non-domestic mammals. All animals are subject to a veterinarian exam and must be costless of whatever contagious, infectious, epidemic, or communicable disease.

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Tennessee

- Banned pets: birdie, wolf, carry, lion, tiger, elephant, rhino

In Tennessee, v different classes of animals come with dissimilar requirements. Native species can merely be possessed by zoos and temporary exhibitors, while residents can own animals such as rabbits, chinchillas, and llamas without a let.

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Texas

- Banned pets: lion, tiger, ocelot, cougar, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, chimpanzee, orangutan

Texas requires a certificate of registration to own what it considers dangerous wild animals. If an fauna attacks a human, the owner must notify the registration agency within 48 hours—and if it escapes, immediately.

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Utah

- Banned pets: cheetah, monkey, ape, gorilla, kangaroo, lemur

Utah residents are required to obtain a registration document to own certain "controlled" species, while other animals are specifically prohibited. If you lot're a reptile enthusiast, yous should know that it'due south legal to own a desert night lizard with a let, but the Glen Coulee chuckwalla (a relative of the iguana) is banned.

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Matthew Hoelscher // Flickr

Vermont

- Banned pets: behave, king of beasts, tiger, wolf, gorilla, monkey

Permits are required in Vermont to own restricted wildlife. However, unrestricted animals include llamas, bison, ostriches, and alligators, amidst others.

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Liaka ac // Wikimedia Commons

Virginia

- Banned pets: conduct, wolf, coyote, weasel, badger, hyena

In Virginia, it's illegal to ain not-native exotic animals that are considered predatory or undesirable every bit a pet. According to the state, non-native exotic animals include, but are non limited to: bears, wolves, coyotes, weasels, badgers, hyenas, all species of non-domesticated cats, alligators, and crocodiles.

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Thomas Brown // Wikimedia Eatables

Washington

- Banned pets: crocodile, elephant, king of beasts, tiger, cheetah, hyena

Washington bans many of the usual suspects: bears, certain types of snakes, and the like. People who owned banned animals earlier the police force took upshot were allowed to keep their animals until they pass.

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West Virginia

- Banned pets: panthera leo, tiger, bear, elephant, gray wolf, cheetah, alligator, crocodile, hyena

West Virginia's exotic animals law aims to protect not only humans and domesticated animals from potential harm, but also to prevent the "mistreatment" of wild animals themselves. People can employ for permits to own animals considered potentially dangerous; those who break the law face a misdemeanor charge and a fee of up to $2,000 for each prohibited animal.

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Wisconsin

- Banned pets: cougar, blackness bear, raccoon, bobcat

It's illegal to own a wild fauna in Wisconsin without a license, with some exemptions. Permits are not required to own chipmunks, rats, squirrels, weasels, and pocket gophers, among other species.

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Wyoming

- Banned pets: big game animals, bays game, wolf, wolf hybrids

Big-game and trophy animals are banned in Wyoming. Antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, and mountain goats are categorized every bit big-game animals; trophy animals include black bears, grizzly bears, and mountain lions. Permits are required for some wildlife.

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