LEGALITY

Laws regarding ownership of non-traditional pets vary widely throughout the United States. Below is a map of the U.S., hovering over a state will give a very brief overview of their laws and a link to their laws regarding exotic pets. States will be regarded on a scale of most to least strict, which is shown via their coloration on the map.

Interactive Map of Laws

As the map illustrates, there are many approaches a state can take regarding exotic pet ownership. Some states prefer to play it safe by enacting very restrictive laws, while others seek to contain possible issues by requiring licensure and registrations. Others have done very little to tighten their laws in decades. However, moving an animal across state lines undetected is not necessarily hard to do, and many cases of illegal possession are discovered every year.