Exotic pets you can legally own in Indiana

Indiana is also known for having very strict laws regarding exotic pet ownership. and Allow residents to own almost any animal. This seemingly contradictory information stems from the state’s Department of Natural Resources, which in the past required most owners of exotic pets to obtain a permit.

What makes Indiana different from other states that require permits or licenses to keep exotic animals is that the DNR actually grants permits to pet owners. [6].

This means that while other states technically issue permits, it is very difficult or nearly impossible to meet the criteria to obtain a permit.

In most cases, these exemptions are not considered for “regular” pet owners. Instead, only exhibitors, educational and scientific facilities, and “legal” wildlife sanctuaries are eligible. This effectively bans animals that only require a permit in those states.

However, Indiana, like Florida, is unique in that permits are issued for any reason as long as the applicant meets the requirements.

Also as in Florida, animals are grouped with Class I, Class II, or Class III designations, presumably based on their potential hazard. But Florida’s requirements are tough on people without sufficient experience or exhibit goals (starting a zoo) for all but Class III animals (which rank as least dangerous). Whereas Indiana appears to issue permits to non-commercial pet owners as long as they meet the following conditions:they meet some fairer requirements [1].

Permit requirements

Requirements for permits to possess animals of any kind include:

• Very reasonable application fee of $10
• Animals must be obtained legally, including from out of state.
• Verification of animal health by veterinarians

Permission requirements for Class III animals

Additional requirements for obtaining a permit to possess a “dangerous” Class III animal include:

• Inspection of facilities by maintenance staff
• Statement on which species are kept and where they may be held
• Possession of recapture plans and the equipment necessary to carry them out
• Contact information for individuals attempting to recapture animals
• In the event of an escape, the permit holder must notify the authorities immediately.

DNR loses authority?

However, changes that happened in 2015 may have invalidated the entire permission system. In February 2015, an appeals court ruled against the Indiana Department of Natural Resources that the DNR could not regulate controlled hunting for private owners as a result of a lawsuit involving high fenced hunting. bottom.

It also effectively stripped the DNR of its authority to regulate legally owned exotic pets, nullifying its power to impose restrictions and regulations on wildlife ownership permits. [2].

At the time of the ruling, 263 permits had been granted, mostly for small alien species. [2][3]. Therefore, if this ruling is still in force and the Exotic Pets Act has not been updated, all exotic animals in Indiana are legal without a permit unless the species is governed under a separate wildlife regulation. . The ruling also prevents the state from issuing game breeder licenses or reptile breeder permits.

Exotic pets you can legally own in Indiana

Here are 10 alien species that you can legally own in Indiana based on current laws and permit requirements.

1. Squirrel

Eastern gray squirrels, fox squirrels, and southern flying squirrels are rodents that live naturally in Indiana and are classified, along with cottontails, as Class I animals. Despite the inexplicably low number of species on the list, this was considered the “least dangerous” category. Getting permits for these animals was probably the easiest.

2. Serval

There are many animals that fall into Class II, but for some reason most of them are small to medium-sized cats. Cats such as servals, sand cats, jeffroine cats, and jungle cats are examples. Missing is another more commonly kept exotic cat, the caracal, which should also be legal in Indiana. It is unclear why many species of cats that are rarely or rarely kept privately are listed when more common exotic pet species such as genenets, kinkajou and wallabies are not. is.

3. Viper

Venomous reptiles, including snakes and a few lizards, are rightfully defined as Class III wildlife in Indiana. Venomous snakes are probably the most common fatal species in captive animals, and in most cases special training and husbandry should be required to care for them. However, not all venomous snakes are fatal to those who do not have severe allergies to bee stings, such as some species with back fangs.

Thankfully, part of the definition of “venomous reptile” in the regulations states that it must be an animal capable of causing serious injury or death, so snakes like beech snakes are fine. Indiana law outlines fairly specific cage requirements, especially for venomous snakes.

4. Wolf

So-called purebred wolves are commonly listed in the highest category of potential threat to public safety. However, real wolves are usually shy of humans and pose little threat to humans. Although wolf dogs are exempt from the permit requirement in Indiana, the volatile mix of genetics of comfortably domesticated dogs and the high drive of wolves can give them a dangerous temperament. . Also, most wolves in captivity carry some canine DNA outside of strict breeding programs. “Wolf dogs” are probably no less dangerous than wolves, but they are perceived as domesticated, so they may not be considered “dangerous”.

5. Arctic fox

Unlike the native red and gray foxes, this small canine is not registered with any wildlife taxonomy, so it could have been owned without a permit before the DNR lost its authority.

6. Skunk

Unfortunately, skunks carry rabies and are illegal to keep in most states, yet there are few or no cases of pet skunks contracting rabies. The striped skunk is a class II animal and no other species of skunk is mentioned at all, so it was not regulated until the Court of Appeals decision.

7. Deer

Owning a deer species used to require a “cervid breeder’s license”, which was given only to owners of legal deer breeding operations. Breeding licenses no longer appear to be distributed, suggesting deer ownership may not be regulated.

8. monkeys

Surprisingly, primates are not listed in any classification of animals, so it appears that Indiana law has never regulated primates. This is unusual. Because when it comes to exotic pet regulations, monkeys, apes, and their relatives are usually part of the first group banned or subject to special requirements. The reason is their intelligence and their ability to share some ailments with humans. And there is also an unfortunate tendency to attack strangers.

9. Dwarf Caiman

Indiana state law stipulates that alligators over five feet in length are Class III animals. It is unclear whether this is related to the ability of this species to grow regardless of gender, or whether alligator individuals maximizing below a prescribed length are exempt from permit requirements. The smallest alligator most common in captivity is the dwarf caiman, which varies in size.Women are said to reach approx. 4 feet longTherefore, it probably did not qualify as a Class III animal.

10. Capybara

Along with other legal rodents, these “giant guinea pigs” should be among the animals you can legally own in Indiana. These exotic species are unlikely to be regulated by other Indiana laws.

References

1. Article 9. Fish and Wildlife Accessible online at https://www.in.gov/ipac/files/5b_-_Owen.DNR_Codes.pdf.
2. Kelly, Niki. The ruling deregulates some wildlife ownership permits. Accessed October 27, 2019, https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Ruling-de-regulates-some-wild-animal-possession-permits-7504326
3. Coogler, Carroll. “Indiana Court of Appeals Ruling Lifts State Control Over Captured Wildlife.” (Online), Indiana Economic Digest. Accessed October 27, 2019, https://indianaeconomicdigest.com/Content/Most-Recent/Infrastructor/Article/Indiana-Court-of-Appeals-ruling-removes-state-control-over-captive-wildlife/31. /67 /81913
4. Natural Resources Commission. Indiana Administrative Code. Title 312. Natural Resources Commission. Article 9. Fish and wild animals. Rule 11. Permits to Possess Wild Animals.
5. Smith, Hannah. “Foxes, cougars, skunks: Hoosiers can own any animal(Online), Indiana Economic Digest. Accessed October 27, 2019, https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2014/08/09/exotic-animals-pets/13821383/
6. “State Regulations” (Online), Sybil’s Den. Visited http://sybilsden.com/reference/state-regs.htm on October 1, 2019
7. Tegeder, Gabriel. “A Research Framework for the Geographical Study of Rare Pet Mammals in the United States.” Dissertation and doctoral dissertation in Geography.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. The Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for personal advisors or professional advice in business, financial, legal or technical matters.

comment

Susan Belsky November 11, 2019:

I have two guinea pigs. I am not interested in owning foxes, snakes or other exotic animals. I am trying hard to take care of my two 3 year old male guinea pigs. Each piglet is kept in her own 2×4 cage. (If you keep them together, they will fight),

The CSGE is spot washed twice daily and the bottom is washed daily. Toss the wet fleece in the washing machine and replace it with dry-cleaned fleece. Each piglet has hay on either end of the cage. 2 bottles of filtered water. Adult guinea pig pellets in a small food bowl. Each pig is fed leafy greens daily, but I am careful with calcium-rich vegetables. I don’t want my man to get stones. One of my piglets already had a minor problem with painful urination, so a urine sample was taken and he was packed up and tested for bladder stones and urinary tract infections. He underwent an X-ray examination. Fortunately, the x-ray test was negative. However, I felt it was essential to note the calcium intake of both pigs. I have had 2 guinea pigs die in the past from bladder stones. If you have questions, ask your pig veterinarian. She has her own piglets and is an expert veterinarian for dogs, cats and exotics.