Rare pet laws
Many states have mysterious rules regarding the private ownership of so-called exotic animals. Some states have specific lists of which species are legal and which are prohibited, while others have separate laws regulating specific species. Many states either require very difficult permits to obtain for pet purposes or are not distributed for pet purposes to the “general” public, effectively making this animal unlegal. Pennsylvania’s laws can seem a little confusing, but the state is terrible when it comes to the rights of exotic pet owners.
Which exotic pets are legal in Pennsylvania?
Like other states in the Northeast, Pennsylvania also regulates exotic pets. Unfortunately, almost all exotic animals, with the exception of certain reptiles and birds, are illegal without a permit, and officials have suggested that permits are only granted to endemic animals.
Relevant laws and distribution of permits Pennsylvania Gaming Commission (PGC). States do grant pet owners permission, but most states usually only for educational, scientific, or other exhibition purposes (zoos, reserves, institutions such as educators using wildlife centers and nature centers). This is unusual because it gives permission. The trick is to meet the conditions to acquire.
Pennsylvania is a state notorious for its complex requirements for keeping “wild animals” and “exotic pets.” Hard-to-obtain exotic wildlife licenses include: Stringent two-year work experience requirement For the specific species requested. Meeting this requirement is difficult enough, but the experience must come from an “approved” facility. Below is the actual text of the law.
New applicants for exotic wildlife possession permits must submit documentation demonstrating at least two years of on-the-job experience in the care, feeding, handling, training and care of the designated species. This experience is from a recognized/approved facility and the owner, manager or licensee of this facility shall provide a letter of introduction.
— Subchapter N. Possession of Non-native Wildlife
Legality quick reference
- It is illegal to bring exotic species into Pennsylvania without proper permits. Even if it passes through, it may be confiscated.
- Illegal possession will subject the owner to an $800 fine.
- There is an annual fee of $50 to obtain the required permit.
The definition of exotic animals is vague As:
“phrase [exotic wildlife] All including but not limited to:
bear, coyote, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cheetah, cougar,
wolves and hybrids of these animals with similar characteristics
A feature in appearance or character. ”
But there are many other animals, Contains harmless sugar gliders. These definitions are unfortunately arbitrary.here ‘Wildlife’ has another definition:
“All non-domestic mammals as defined in 1 Pa.CS § 1991 (relevant to definitions).”
In addition, the state includes the following in its definition of “alien wildlife”:
“A member of the family Felidae, excluding species commonly called domestic cats, and a member of the family Canidae, excluding species recognized by the Department of Agriculture.” (58 Pa. Code § 147.2)
The Pennsylvania Consolidated State Commission openly acknowledged the ambiguity of the state’s definition of invasive wildlife and discussed the confusion surrounding it in a publicly available brief (linked above). However, this document doesn’t really fix the confusion.
Are hedgehogs illegal?
It’s no surprise to most people that bears and big cats are considered exotic wildlife, but what about smaller pets? Even hedgehogs were once illegal in the state without a permit. Although it has since been re-legalized, it cannot be imported from outside the state. Since the previous ban effectively eliminated breeders in the state, hedgehogs that cannot be proven by their owners to have been bred in Pennsylvania are routinely confiscated.
How to get permission
PGCs often provide conflicting information about what needs to be done to legally store Exotics. If you want to get a permit for native animals such as red foxes, you can do so if you meet the two-year experience requirement. Facilities obtaining two years of experience must provide detailed documentation detailing your experience. (Facility must be licensed by the zoo. You can inquire if the facility qualifies). You will also need a permit to keep animals from your living quarters. The cage must then be approved according to the specified specifications.
Permits will only be received after the enclosure has been inspected and approved, but PGC does not like to grant permits. according to Pittsburgh Post-GazetteAs of 2011, there were only 28 valid permits, 11 sales permits and 112 zoo permits for private ownership of exotic pets in the state. They also say they rarely give permission to primates because they can be vectors of human disease.
How to get an exotic permit
legal pets in pennsylvania
- Hedgehogs, but were only purchased in-state.
- With a viper permit, you can: Wild-caught timber rattlesnake.
- Invasive poisonous reptile
- ferret
Why are exotic pets illegal?
States typically ban so-called exotic pets for two reasons:
- public security
- environmental concerns
Especially in Pennsylvania, there is little reason to fear environmental damage from nearly every species found in the rare pet trade. Mammals in particular rarely form invasive populations. Even in Florida’s temperate climate, there are fewer than 10 truly invasive mammal populations derived from the exotic pet trade. Added to this is that the majority of these populations were the result of: Intentional And the idea that they pose a threat to Pennsylvania’s temperate climate is even more ridiculous.
When it comes to public safety, small exotic pets rarely, if ever, cause serious injury or death to humans. In these rare cases, the victims are usually the owners or people who voluntarily interact with the animal. In other words, its “danger” is equal to or (probably) less than the “danger” posed by a typical cat or dog.
The Humane Society has publicly opposed changes to Pennsylvania’s invasive wildlife law, and their lobbying efforts may be influencing change in the state.as a state legislator David Zimmerman introduced the bill in 2018 A bill to amend the Wildlife Act to legalize the possession and possession of “pocket pets” such as hedgehogs and sugar gliders was defeated 120-71.
Human Society state director Kristen Turo commented positively on the ruling, saying the society was concerned that the bill’s success would lead to misery for many people. Buy a “pocket pet” as a novelty that gets bored quicklyhas led to the placement of small animals in shelters.
exotic pet attack
A woman named Sandy Reynolds thought she legally acquired an exotic animal after being told to do so by Pennsylvania officials in 2001. Her Story Reveals Poor Oversight of Exotic Pet Regulations in the State. Owners of exotic pets often do not have the same rights as other pet owners and are subject to mistreatment and discrimination.
Ms. Reynolds was confiscated by the Gaming Commission despite being at fault with her exotic pet. Kinkajous, lemurs, servals, foxes, and others were removed, some of which ended up dying in inadequate housing facilities at the Games Commission. In the end, it appears the court only ruled in favor of returning the lemurs and kinkajou, but not the foxes and servals.
Therapy Monkey Confiscated Because Laws Are Confusing
Thoughts on PA Regulations
Pennsylvania’s exotic pet laws are grossly unjust. Even the small, harmless animals that can’t survive the winter in the Northeast, like sugar gliders and hedgehogs, have questionable legality. As in many other states and cities, there have been many campaigns to reverse its status as a wild animal, but this sound logic has met with inexplicable resistance.
Owners of exotic pets should enjoy the same freedoms as dog and cat owners. Ironically, while these species have identified negative environmental impacts and public safety concerns, the potential threat posed by various exotic pets is often criticized by reason and availability. It is simply guessed against possible knowledge.
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 or professional advice in business, financial, legal or technical matters.
questions and answers
question: Do I need a permit first to keep hedgehogs in Pennsylvania?
answer: Yes, but permits are difficult in Pennsylvania. They probably won’t give it.
question: Are domesticated pine martens legal to own in Pennsylvania and if so, what are the permits?
answer: PA is a very strict state. Strictly speaking, there is permission available to own something, but probably no permission is given.
question: Is it legal to keep otters in Pennsylvania?
answer: no.
© 2018 Melissa Smith
comment
Aaron Mead June 30, 2020:
Mink is legal in Pennsylvania
Francine Martin June 28, 2020:
Is it illegal to keep wild skunks as pets in Pennsylvania?
Nicole Fogel June 16, 2020:
Is it legal to keep a domesticated skunk in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
not clear May 20, 2020:
Are servals legal in Pennsylvania?
Joseph G. April 26, 2020:
Can you keep an opossum or raccoon in philadelphia
not clear April 7, 2020:
Wooper looper?
sklL March 24, 2020:
what about kapikabra
Jess February 13, 2020:
Is it illegal to own a koala in Pennsylvania?
Cade January 14, 2020:
Are fennec foxes allowed in pennsylvania
Moche November 26, 2019:
Are red foxes and gray foxes legal? What about wolf dogs?
Yolo August 26, 2019:
Are piranhas legal
CSF August 9, 2019:
Is it legal to keep a monkey as an emotional support animal in Pennsylvania?
Ian Van Hanning May 1, 2019:
Can you keep an owl as a pet in Pennsylvania?
Donna Willis April 15, 2019:
Is it legal to keep finger monkeys in philadelphia
Marie Burns January 5, 2019:
What is the state’s position on Zebra’s ownership and intra-state shipping?
Bigdavidh@hotmail.com November 1, 2018:
Is it legal to keep a goat as a pet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Nicholas October 26, 2018:
What venomous snakes are there in Pennsylvania?