Is Owning a Wolf Legal in California

Given the prevalence of wild squirrels in California, you may be surprised to learn that it`s illegal to keep one as a pet. That`s why it`s important that you know the legal status of an animal before taking it as a pet. Answer: Pangolins are heavily traded and zoos struggle to keep them alive. No one has them. If they did, they would be illegal in California. All wolf hybrids beyond the first generation, none of the parents are pure wolves, are pets that do not require special permits under state law, Nelms said. Because wild wolves run in packs led by a few dominant wolves, it`s important for wolf hybrid owners to maintain their dominance over the animals since they became puppies, Thompson said. Fortunately, Californians are rarely prosecuted for illegal possession of exotic animals. However, the State of California has the right to remove any illegal pets from you. Depending on the species, this can result in your illegal California pet being rehabilitated and released into the wild, sent to a foster care facility, or even sold to a laboratory or euthanized. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) opposes the possession of greyhounds because of their potential for human attack, while the American Kennel Club (AKC) states that it is a domestic dog breed and therefore exempt from many restrictions imposed on other types of dogs. Simply put, if you want an exotic animal, stay out of California. California is known among ferret enthusiasts for being one of two states that have an unwavering ban on possessing these elongated carnivores.

In fact, all questions about the legality of pets in the state should be asked: “What animals are legal?” instead of “Is this animal legal?” These exotic animals, which are actually technically domesticated — perhaps more than a regular cat without a pedigree — are legal in most states, based on their percentage of so-called wild genetics. Hybrid cats consist of Savannah cat (Servalhybrid), Bengal cat (Asian Leopard Cat Hybrid) and jungle cat hybrid. None of these hybrids are mixed with so-called big cats, and not all are big enough to hunt humans. According to California Code of Regulations (CCR) 671, possession of the following animals without special permission is also illegal: raccoons, skunks, alligators, lemurs, zebras, certain venomous reptiles, prairie dogs, wolf hybrids (greyhounds), big cats such as bobcats, servals and cheetahs. The reasons for these restrictions are related to the protection of natural resources, native species and the ecosystem. The California ordinance states that not all members of the equine family are restricted. Therefore, unless prohibited by another regulation, it would make zebras, wild horses and donkeys and all their hybrids legal. Zebras are not as shocking to own as you might think and are sometimes kept like typical farm animals. They scare away more easily than horses and donkeys and need an experienced trainer in case someone wants to ride them. The idea of riding zebras was popularized by the children`s film Racing Stripes.

Pet zebras are more often and judiciously owned than pets, which is interesting to observe. In California, monkeys and other primates can only be owned by qualified individuals who have been granted permission for specific legal purposes — such as training monkeys in film and television productions or for use in medical research. We hope you never face the loss of a beloved pet or criminal charges for keeping an illegal pet in California. However, if you do, or if you or a loved one is accused of violating California`s animal cruelty laws, we`re here to help. We are headquartered in Los Angeles, but we have offices all over the state. Simply contact us using the form on this page or call our nearest office for a free consultation with one of our caring California defense attorneys. (See our related article, What is Animal Abuse in California?) Some local veterinarians have said that if they are not sure if an animal is a wolf hybrid, they vaccinate it with a rabies vaccine in dogs just to be sure. The importation and possession of certain animal species classified as “exotic” is illegal in the state of California. These animals typically include large predators such as lions, tigers, and cheetahs, as well as primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees. The law is designed to protect both the public and the animals themselves from potential harm, as many of these creatures can be dangerous if they escape or are released into the wild. If you`re considering an exotic animal, check out this list of crazy, weird, crazy, and strange animals that are legal and illegal in California. If you have committed to owning a species that is partly a wolf, the puppies must be second generation or higher.

In other words, your puppy must come from a first-generation hybrid parent. If your dog is even a 1% wolf hybrid, you should treat it like an exotic animal. However, you only need to apply for a permit from the Ministère de la Pêche et de la Chasse if your hybrid is 50% wolf. The Department of Fisheries and Hunting issues permits “only to persons or institutions qualified for limited purposes such as research, public display or accommodation. No permits are issued for the importation or keeping of wildlife for the manufacture of domestic animals. Here is a list of illegal exotic animals in California. Some species of ungulates are legal in California, although most are actually domesticated, although they are considered “exotic.” These include water buffalo, yaks, flat-bellied pigs, alpacas and llamas. Answer: I think so. Greyhounds are legal in California and that`s probably what any “wolf” would be if someone not affiliated with the zoo bought one.