What small pets can you have in California?

If you like gerbils and want to consider other similar wild rodents as a pet, there are several that are legal in California, including hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.

What small animals can you own in California?

What small exotic pets are legal in California?

What pets are restricted in California?

According to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 671, pet ownership of the following animals is also illegal without a special permit: Raccoons, skunks, alligators, lemurs, zebras, certain venomous reptiles, prairie dogs, wolf hybrids (wolf-dogs), big cats such as bobcats, servals, and cheetahs.

Are guinea pigs legal in California?

Certain races of dwarf hamsters, mice, golden hamsters, and guinea pigs are also legal as pets. However, gerbils are not legal as pets in California.

Exotic Pets Legal in California (Mammals and Birds)

Are hedgehog legal in California?

Unfortunately, California is one of those states where it is illegal to own a hedgehog. As I understand it, a permit for a hedgehog might be issued in California for educational purposes, but it is seldom handed out. If you still want to pursue a permit, call the California Department of Fish and Game.

Are sugar gliders legal in California?

Sugar gliders are illegal to own as pets in California. Unfortunately, people are enamored with these “pocket pets” and illegally acquire them. Regardless of their small size and cute appearance, sugar gliders do not make good pets.

Can you own a sloth in California?

It is Illegal to Own a Sloth in California

While states like Nevada and Texas have extremely lenient rules about exotic pet ownership, the Golden State is known for its strict regulations relating to game and wildlife.

Can you have a pet duck in California?

So, can you keep a pet duck in California? Ducks are legal as pets in California, but you should confirm if your town or city has any restrictions. Even if allowed, ducks require special care and nutrition. When keeping ducks, you should note that they're social and prefer the outdoors.

Can you have a pet fox in California?

Pet foxes are legal in up to 15 states, but not in California. Rules vary departing on the breed, the most common being the fennec fox. While there are fox breeders in California, they cannot be sold legally within the state.

Can you own a finger monkey in California?

While monkeys are allowed as pets in neighboring Arizona and Nevada (with a license in the former), they are illegal to keep as pets in California.

Can I own a cheetah in California?

They are illegal to have in California because they are an endangered species. Big Cats– Big Cats (Cheetahs, Cougars, Jaguars, Leopards, Lions, and Tigers) are illegal to own in California because they are large powerful animals capable of severely injuring or killing humans.

Can I own an axolotl in California?

In the United States, axolotls are illegal to own in California, Maine, New Jersey, and D.C., while a permit is required in New Mexico and Hawaii.

Are ferrets legal in California?

Ferrets are illegal to own as pets in California. In the United States, you can keep ferrets as pets in all but two states—Hawaii and California. California introduced the law banning pet ferrets in 1933.

Can you have a pet hedgehog?

Different countries have different laws about keeping hedgehogs, but in the United States you can legally own a pet hedgehog in all states except Georgia, Hawaii, California, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and five New York City boroughs.

Can I own a raccoon in California?

In California, it is a misdemeanor to own a raccoon. Penalties include: $500 to $10,000 civil fine, with additional costs for removing the animal and its care. Maximum penalty of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine or both.

Can you own a zebra in California?

Can anyone own a zebra? Not in California. In the Golden State you can't own zebras, rhinoceroses, tapirs, or any other odd-toed ungulates (aside from ordinary horses) unless you've worked with exotic species for two years (including one year with animals in the same family as the one you plan to own).

Can I own a capybara in California?

There are some states where they are legal to own, while in California and Florida the capybara is strictly banned. Some parts of New York state will allow for capybaras ownership. Many states will have some municipalities or counties offering licenses for ownership.

Can you own an owl in California?

The United States does not allow private individuals to keep native owls as pets--they may only be possessed by trained, licensed individuals while being rehabilitated, as foster parents in a rehabilitation facility, as part of a breeding program, for educational purposes, or certain species may be used for falconry in ...

Can you have a goat as a pet in California?

Goats are permitted in 53 cities and prohibited in 11. Goats are regulated within 42 zoning codes and 35 municipal codes. Heavy livestock are permitted in 59 cities and prohibited in 14.

Are savannah cats legal in California?

In California, there are no restrictions on owning a Savannah cat. This includes those from earlier generations, which makes it a great place to be if you want to own a Savannah cat.

Can you own a meerkat in California?

Legalities of Keeping a Pet Meerkat

For one thing, keeping a meerkat as a pet is illegal in the United States. The only way you can adopt one of these animals if you are an American is if you own a zoo or a sanctuary and have a permit to do so.

Are Flying Squirrels legal in California?

The following states do not allow residents to keep flying squirrels as pets: Alabama, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Utah (Southern Flying Squirrels are banned), Vermont and Virginia.

Can you own a porcupine in California?

All species are restricted from possession as pets in California primarily because they can become pests where introduced into the wild where they don't naturally occur. There are also many unknown questions related to natural predators and potential diseases when any non-native animal is introduced into the wild.