Can you own a baby panther as a pet in British Columbia, Canada? With a permit? Which state in Canada allows Baby Panther to be a pet? No, it is not legal to have them in Edmonton. The Animal Control Regulations include them as exotic animals. I`ve also contacted Animal Control in the past for more details on exotic animals, and fennecs have been included. In the United States, however, it`s a different story. Pet foxes are legal in 27 states and require varying degrees of licenses and permits, if any in states like Tennessee, New Mexico, Kansas, and Mississippi. (Living with foxes, n.d.). But even though fox ownership is legal under state laws, domestic foxes can be banned at the municipal level, meaning potential owners must take extra precautions to ensure their pet is allowed. But you might be interested to know that if you`re bored with the whole dog, cat, and goldfish scene, there are cute wild animals that you`re legally allowed to own in Canada. With the advent of these dog-like domestic foxes, it is questionable whether they can be successfully kept as pets. For starters, legality varies depending on where you and your fox would live. In British Columbia, the fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered a native species and is protected by the Wildlife Act. Below is an overview of 10 exotic animals that can be legally owned as pets in Canada, as well as links to each province`s rules below. Exotic animals are becoming increasingly popular among those looking for a pet that is slightly out of the mainstream compared to cats, dogs, and goldfish – some pets should definitely not be considered when looking for a pet due to factors such as animal welfare and cruelty, environmental impacts and public health and safety.
A number of exotic animals are illegal in Canada – although exotic animal regulations and laws can vary greatly from province to province and even municipality to municipality. Described by one expert as a “patchwork” of regulations, alien pet ownership is certainly not uniform across the country, so it`s important to do your research to find out what`s allowed for your situation before bringing a pet home. With that in mind, here are some of the exotic animals that may be illegal in your province or city in Canada. Inconsistent laws in Canada also mean that some wildlife can be legally kept as pets in some provinces, but not in others. For example, 85% of servals kept as pets in Canada are found in British Columbia and Ontario – both provinces allow ownership of these animals. In comparison, in Quebec and Alberta, servals are not kept as pets — provinces that prohibit the ownership of these animals. Although they spend a lot of time sleeping, owning this exotic pet can keep you busy between feeding, playing, and socializing. They also tend to bark a bit, so if you have neighbors who aren`t fans of loud animal sounds, the fennec fox might not be for you.
Many years ago, I secretly raised two baby raccoons because it was illegal for me to take care of them. I had them for a whole year before gradually bringing them back into the wild. In my opinion, raccoons could make great pets if you can give them enough outdoor space and stimulation. I wish I could have kept them as pets. They were very affectionate and usually also with strangers. The type of licence or permit that would make fox ownership legal in British Columbia would not be issued for personal use such as pet ownership. The Wildlife Act also prohibits the importation of wildlife into British Columbia, making it permanently illegal to have the prospect of a pet fox in that province. It is illegal to keep wild foxes as pets in British Columbia under the British Columbia Wildlife Act. Exotic foxes such as fennec foxes are also not permitted as pets under the Controlled Alien Species Regulations.
Popular animals kept as pets, such as snakes, parrots, geckos, turtles, fennec foxes, iguanas, sugar gliders, caracals, and servals are all wild animals. Unlike domestic animals, which have been selectively bred over many generations to live with humans, wild animals suffer in captivity. There is no way to recreate the space and freedom that wild animals need in their natural environment. Note: While it should be self-evident simply because it`s legal (or rather, not illegal) to own an exotic animal, that doesn`t mean it`s a good idea for you and the animal. Pets demand that you devote time, energy and money to their health, well-being and safety and that of others. For more information, see Are you ready to have an exotic pet? After “Is it legal?”, ask yourself the following questions: Canada has experienced a number of tragic incidents involving wildlife farming, such as the death of two boys asphyxiated by an African rock python in New Brunswick and the death of a woman injured by a tiger in British Columbia. What you can do: Urge provincial governments to improve their regulations on exotic pet ownership As for ferrets, we miss them terribly, but we are closely monitoring the Blackfoot who have recently been reintroduced into the wild on the prairies. When most Canadians think about taking on the responsibility of owning a pet, a dog, cat, parakeet, goldfish, hamster or lizard usually comes to mind. This province has strict regulations for the possession of exotic animals and, in most cases, a permit is required for most of these animal species.
While no specific species are off-limits, the province has specific rules for certain animals, and there may also be municipal guidelines that apply when it comes to your pet. Before you fully decide to welcome an exotic animal, it is recommended that you contact your local fish and wildlife office to determine if a permit is required and the steps surrounding this process. If your province doesn`t have rules against keeping the pet you consider a pet, that doesn`t necessarily mean you`re clear. Keeping farms and exotic animals within city limits is illegal in many communities, so check your local bylaws before proceeding. Wildlife not only suffers in captivity, but can also pose a danger to its owners and the local community. Injuries, bites, scratches and constrictions can cause serious damage and even death. Many primates end up passing through enough hands for animal experiments from exotic owners who could not handle them as adults. Like Quebec, Saskatchewan provides an overview of some animals that require a licence to own in the province and those that do not. While no animals are prohibited in Saskatchewan, the government has not issued permits for some species for some time. It is also important to note that local governments in the province also have ordinances regarding exotic animals, control and regulation.
