Illegal Pet Ownership

Growing up, have you ever dreamed about having a particularly exotic pet? Maybe a cute monkey on your shoulder, a rare bird in a cage, or something dangerous like a leopard or tiger? While many odd or exotic pets can be reasonably purchased or cared for, many animals are considered illegal to own as pets.

What Pets Are Illegal?

Many breeds of felines, primates, and other species are still actively illegally smuggled, breed, and sold across the US and the rest of the world despite many laws prohibiting such activities and the many dangers of owning an illegal pet. Some popular pets include jungle cats like tigers and leopards, as well as chimpanzees and other monkeys. Not only are a lot of these animals endangered species often protected by multiple organizations and national programs, but they can often be temperamental, hard to care for, and aggressive to their owners. In Texas alone, there have been multiple cases of exotic pets wounding or even killing their owners or bystanders, including small children. While Texas has rather relaxed laws about pet ownership, simply requiring such pets to be registered, other states like Alaska have a blanket ban on owning, selling, breeding, or moving any type of live game animal, including most feral pets.

Dangers To The Environment

One aspect of illegal pet ownership many people may not think about is the environmental destruction that introducing a new species to an environment can cause. Hawaii has the highest restrictions on pet ownership for this reason, as the introduction of a new species can cause damage to the ecosystem should its population grow out of control. While some may feel this wouldn't happen with housebound pets, not every pet owner is responsible, and many animals are simply let loose into the wild when the owner no longer wants to care for them. Competition between native and invasive species can not only lead to the decline of other animal populations but also offset the balance of different prey and predators that rely on a native species, leading to many widespread problems.

Okay, But  I Still Want an Exotic Pet

If you are interested in owning an exotic pet, be sure to check your state and local laws to see what is considered legal to own and if there are any steps you have to take to register the pet. Note that there are many quirky and interesting animals you can own as pets without resorting to Bengal tigers or chimpanzees. Painter Salvador Dali famously owned a pet ocelot named Babou. Hedgehogs, skunks, and salamanders are other examples of manageable animals often kept as exotic pets. Even with less dangerous pets such as these, be sure to inquire with local animal experts to be sure that your new pet will be legal to own and to learn about any unique quirks to caring for that type of animal. Also, be sure to check for the nearest location of a veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets. Not every vet will be ready to handle your pet black bear or boa constrictor.

If you are interested in owning an exotic pet, be sure to check your state's local laws to see what is considered legal to own and if there are any steps you have to take to register the pet. Note that there are many quirky and interesting animals you can own as pets without resorting to Bengal tigers or chimpanzees. Painter Salvador Dali famously owned a pet ocelot named Babou. Hedgehogs, skunks, and salamanders are other examples of manageable animals often kept as exotic pets. Even with less dangerous pets such as these, be sure to inquire with local animal experts to be sure that your new pet will be legal to own and in order to learn about any unique quirks to caring for that type of animal. Also be sure to check for the nearest location of a veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets. Not every vet will be ready to handle your pet black bear or boa constrictor.

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