68A-6.0072. However, they can be kept as pets with a permit/license. State Statutes (Laws) Alabama allows you to possess any native animal that isn't prohibited. 68A-6.009. It's not just Florida.". For each additional lizard, increase enclosure size by one inch in length and width. Some common animals that people keep as pets without a license include dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rabbits. (b) Each enclosure shall have a pool of water, 60 square feet, 3 feet deep, equipped with a ramp or steps. Finally, you need to make sure that you can provide for the monkeys needs, including food, water, and shelter. For one to two animals, a cage 8 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet high. The animal most likely to pose a threat to humans in Florida is the American alligator. "We are not having our day in court with this.". PERMIT along with Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days (Owner-Shipper Statement if exempt) required for import of restricted animals (Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals)REQUIREMENTS: Requirements for non-renewed or revoked permit (Effective 6/20/22): Bans issuing permit to another entity or facility that person is owner, director, officer, principal, employee or agent or has interest in it IF person was notified about it AND was arrested, charged, indicted or appeal conviction of Chapter 379 crime, Must dispose of all wildlife in 90 days (not to entity they are owner, officer, director, principal, employee or agent in or interest in) and keep records for 30 days after disposition must allow inspection to verify disposition, Bans exhibiting or selling wildlife for another person or facility for 3 years, Bans employees whose corporations license was revoked or non-renewed from care, feeding, handling or providing husbandry for such animals, Most if not all permits must be submitted online and meet new application requirements (Effective 8/23/22), cages must be completely enclosed except paddocks, reptiles and open-air enclosures (Removes 1000 sq ft minimum), Venomous reptiles must have quantity per biological family and reptiles of concern quantity per species for births and deaths, acquisitions and sales or transfers. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25 percent of original floor area. Such records shall be open to inspection upon request by commission personnel. (a) General: All Class I, II or III wildlife that will be used for contact with the public shall have been evaluated by the exhibitor to insure compatibility with the uses intended. For Class I animals, cages shall be constructed of steel, case hardened aluminum, alloy or strength equivalent material. 68A-6.0024. Const., 379.303, 379.304 FS. For one or two animals, a cage or enclosure 4 feet by 4 feet, 6 feet high. Repealed Sept. 30, 2019. Some reptile license-holders will be grandfathered in if they meet certain conditions. A safety entrance is defined as a protected, secure area that can be entered by a keeper that prevents animal escape and safeguards the keeper, or a device that can be activated by a keeper that prevents animal escape and safeguards entry. Such shelter shall be attached to or adjacent to the paddock, habitat, or enclosure. 68A-6.010. Each cage shall also have perching areas and climbing apparatus except for crested porcupines. The plan must also include a list of onsite personnel authorized to use the tethering devices, tranquilizing equipment and/or firearms, and when such equipment, devices and/or firearms shall be used to capture, control, or destroy escaped or out-of-control animals. They are actually the ancestor of the fully domesticated Bengal cat. Many online resources help you prepare for this step toward becoming an exotic pet owner. Permit: Not required and they can be purchased in a number of pet shops. Email: sohodesignerexotics@gmail.com. b. REGISTRATION (Aquaculture Certificate of Registration) from Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services required to raise aquatic species for commercial sale. (d) Animal cages shall have openings for emergency removal of wildlife. After December 31, 2016, those licensees that desire to expand their inventory to include a family of venomous reptile species not previously authorized at their facility location shall comply with the amended requirements of subsection (1) of this rule. Though it may be allowed by the state, some cities or counties may have different laws and regulations. Such documentation shall include: (a) The name and complete address of the recipient. In Alabama for example, it's illegal to own mongooses as pets. MSN also provided a story of two people who were sentenced after their pet Burmese python escaped its cage and killed a woman's 2-year-old child. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. In lieu of a stout closely woven cloth sack, the venomous reptile may be contained in a trap, container or box of solid construction which is locked or otherwise secured. (c) Elephants. Amended Sept. 30, 2019. 68A-6.01213. (h) The current inventory of Class I and II wildlife possessed, identified by species and quantity. Well, youre in luck. seq.) Reddish Egret, Of course, if you don't think you're up to owning one, you can let them love on you at this Florida animal sanctuary. 8. Applicants who fail to pass the written examination after two (2) attempts shall wait six (6) months from the date of the last examination to retake the examination. (b) Cage floors shall include an area of sufficient depth to provide for digging. Caging Requirements for Mobile Exhibits. (2) Qualification requirements for a permit to possess venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern: (a) Age Requirement: Applicants to possess venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern shall be at least 18 years of age. Summary: The above map details states that ban, partially ban, require licensure, or provide miscellaneous regulations on private ownership of wild or exotic animals.Currently, 20 states have what can be called "comprehensive bans." These bans typically classify wild cats, large non-domesticated carnivores, reptiles, and non-human primates as "dangerous animals" or otherwise prohibit private . Failure to obtain and maintain a current and valid USDA license may result in denial or revocation of any Class I authorizations issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In the instance of a check, such instrument shall be made payable to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For one or two animals, a cage or enclosure 4 feet by 3 feet, 3 feet high. b. These measurements shall be based on the largest bird in the enclosure. Drills and mandrills (genus Mandrillus), 16. American Alligator, For the purposes of this paragraph, escape shall mean escape from the primary enclosure or escape from transport enclosure, leash, other constraint, or rigid supervision and control while outside of the primary enclosure. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 4 feet high. (5) Any Class I or Class II wildlife exempt from meeting the facility requirements of paragraphs (3)(a)-(d) of this rule, must meet the following: (a) Class I wildlife shall not be possessed in any multi-unit dwellings or on any premises consisting of less than one quarter acre of land area. (d) Class III animals (except reptiles). Factors to be considered when approving such contact are found in paragraph (1)(a). Bradenton, FL 34201 Some exotic animals in Class II and Class III categories can be kept as personal pets most will require you to have a permit showing you have the proper facilities and the experience necessary to care for them. (b) Free contact -- contact in which there are no barriers between a person and the elephant. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area. Except as provided in paragraph (3)(b), sale, if sale was previously authorized under the permit, or transfer of such wildlife shall be authorized within the lawful disposition period for the purposes of complying with this rule. (j) A schematic or graphic depiction of the facility, including the following: 2. (a) For one or two animals, a cage 4 feet by 6 feet, 8 feet high. (a) Outdoor facilities -- Construction material shall consist of not less than 11 1/2 gauge chain link or equivalent. (e) Cleaning and maintenance: Hard floors within cages or enclosures shall be cleaned a minimum of once weekly. Green Tree Frog, Law Implemented Art. Enclosure sizes for all snakes or lizards shall be based on the total length of the longest specimen in the enclosure. Primary enclosures and doors to primary enclosures shall be secured. The above requirements shall not apply to applicants for permits to possess species of the family Bovidae in accordance with Sections 379.3711 and 379.3712, F.S. Turtles (other than tortoises and box turtles): For one or two turtles, an enclosure with an area at least five times the shell length by two times the shell width of the largest turtle. In Florida, you are allowed to own a variety of animals without a license. (a) For up to two animals, a cage 6 feet by 4 feet, 3 feet high. Sale, barter of exchange of live ones imported after 8/1/2014, Common carriers receiving live ones not from state or adjacent federal waters, Wholesale or retail dealers are limited to lionfish from state or adjacent federal waters AND have receipts or invoices verifying it, Wholesale/retail dealers may possess and sell lionfish imported before 8/1/2014 with chain of possession, Aquaculturists with certificate of registration may raise juveniles or adults from state or adjacent federal waters AND have receipts or invoices verifying it, Must be college or university faculty member, accredited institution affiliation or agency member AND must be for researching population control measures or mitigating negative impacts to native species, Outdoor tanks must be 1 above 100-year flood elevation with barrier system, Indoors must be culture system with no discharge, closed system or similar, Detailed research proposal and annual record or progress, Detailed report of research findings for renewals, Immediately report escapes or release to FWC, Using elephants that caused a safety incident for rides or with public contact, Weakening or breaching integrity of boundary or barrier, Contact with elephant during ride except handler, assistant or riders, Full contact with elephant except during ride (limited to back and sides), Photographic information of each elephant with front and side views, Notarized safety record with safety incidents (human or animal injury or death) and escapes, Notify commission immediately of safety incident or escape AND allows termination of rides unless incident not caused by elephant or handler and could not have been prevented, Provide itinerary at least 24 hours before ride unless at facility, Tethering device and firearm at all locations, Written emergency response plan as listed, 1 qualified handler and 1 assistant present that are 18+ with NO unsafe wildlife conditions or animal abuse or neglect violation in last 3 years and are approved in writing, Handler needs 1000 documented and signed off hours of free contact experience with 1st elephant from working with current handler and 250 hours per additional elephant, Ride area such as a ring curb and secured public barrier at least 5 from ride that is at least 44 tall with no more than 6 gaps and has Keep Out signs every 10, Private Rides: allows for those with continual ride authorization since effective date if it is prearranged, has written contract 24 hours+ in advance, not open to public, is limited to guests and host, and has 2 handlers and assistants barrier not required, Allows beneficiary for prohibited species permit holder that dies to be issued a permit to keep animal for life if application sent within 90 days, EXEMPT: Commercial sales of prohibited green iguanas and tegus with License to Possess Class III Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale on 6/30/2020 and held or planned to hold those species on their 2018 or 2019 license - Void if transferred - BANS breeding after 6/30/24, Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permits, Native fish are allowed to be kept in aquariums up to the fishing possession limit for each species, INCLUDES: freshwater and marine ornamental fish and invertebrates, alligator farmers and exhibitors, freshwater turtle farms, crustaceans, grass carp, snails, baitfish, algae and shellfish for commercial use, EXEMPT: hobbyists and those who grow for personal use, Restricted Species Authorization for restricted species, Restricted Crustaceans: Australian red claw, red swamp crayfish, white river crayfish, Sovereign submerged land lease for live rock on state submerged lands, BANS staghorn, elkhorn, rough cactus, pillar, lobed star, mountainous star, boulder star, Must comply with Aquaculture Best Management Practices, Shellfish require Shellfish Harvester Education Training. 5. Each cage shall have gnawing items, perching areas and climbing apparatus. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to boxes, balls, bones, barrels, drums, climbing apparatus, foraging items, etc. BANS prohibited species for commercial use and pets except red-eared sliders. Phone: 813-394-1237. This site is not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. 68A-6.0172. (l) Location of storage and/or contact information for obtaining supplies. The roof shall be of sufficient height to permit bird to perch erect on the highest perch. "Their value is so high nobody's going to release them," he said. (a) Small (e.g., mouse opossums, honey possum: Tarsipes rostratus). These include, but are not limited to, lions, tigers, chimpanzees, gorillas, and alligators. Possessors shall maintain an accurate record of all changes in inventory of any venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern, which shall be maintained on the licensed premises and shall be open to inspection upon request by Commission personnel. The upshot of the ruling means that yourpet tegucan live out the rest of itslizard days in Florida, but don't expect to buy a new one after that. (b) To be permitted as a business, in addition to paragraph (a), the applicant shall provide the name of the business and the business shall be currently registered through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. Hybrid cats consist of the breeds Savannah cat (serval hybrid), Bengal cat (Asian Leopard Cat hybrid) and the jungle cat hybrid. (h) A list of equipment utilized to temporarily house and transport wildlife (including transport cages and vehicles) and location where equipment is stored. (a) Small aquatic rodents (e.g., Florida water rat, muskrat). For one or two lizards, a cage or enclosure 6 feet by 3 feet, 4 feet high. Gibbons and Siamangs (family Hylobatidae), 4. (g) Wildlife must be transported in a cage or enclosure. Each cage shall be equipped with perching areas, climbing apparatus, and chewing items. 2. Most of the other new rules would take effect in a few months, FWC officials have said. IV, Sec. 68A-6.003. Also, be sure to check your local cities, towns, and counties for rules regarding the laws around ownership of the animal you are interested in. Repealed Sept. 30, 2019. A private elephant ride shall be prearranged and must have a written contract in place at least 24 hours in advance and not be open to the general public. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage. A copy of such record shall be provided to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, upon annual renewal of the license issued in accordance with section 379.3761, F.S., and authorizing possession of such wildlife. Such injury shall be reported immediately, or as soon as practicable, to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement. Such retired performing wildlife shall be permanently identified and records maintained and submitted as prescribed in subparagraphs (1)(d)1.-2., above. Temperature extremes shall be avoided. (c) Experience Requirement for Class I permits: 1. For each additional animal, increase paddock size by 50 percent of the original area. (a) For one or two animals, a cage 12 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet high. Your email address will not be published. Incidental contact with Class I wildlife is authorized only as follows: a. (b) Safety record: The application shall include a notarized statement which details the complete safety record and documents all of the known safety incidents or escapes involving the elephant identified in the ride authorization request. 2. 2. 68A-6.0171. Amended Dec. 6, 2010. 1. . (b) Each cage shall have perching area(s) that will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously. IV, Sec. The federal law has its list of exotic animals, which includes the most common tigers, lions, leopards, bears, wolves, and venomous snakes. Additionally, the alligator must have a pool of water that is at least 2 feet deep and 6 feet wide. The width of the cage shall not be required to exceed 3 feet. 68A-6.0011. All rooms or outbuildings housing venomous reptiles shall be locked to prevent unauthorized intrusion, inspected and approved as conforming to these rules by Commission personnel prior to use. The 16 reptiles include Burmese pythons; reticulated pythons; scrub pythons; Northern African pythons; Southern African Pythons; amethystine pythons; green anacondas; Nile monitor lizards; tegus (all species) and green iguanas. What wild animals are legal to keep as pets in Florida? (a) For one or two animals, a cage or enclosure, 4 feet by 4 feet, 4 feet high.