An atypical exception is the state of New York. Successful lobbying by Fennec fox owners has kept the 3-pound canid legal, which is considered a “state of prohibition.” In Arkansas, all fox species are allowed, no permits required. Arkansas is one of the legal states for pet foxes and allows all types of foxes, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offers some restrictions on imported foxes. Arkansas residents can even catch a wild fox and keep it as a pet. Imported red and grey foxes are not allowed. In Florida, all fox species are allowed with a permit. All types of foxes are allowed in Florida, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires a Class 3 wildlife permit for foxes. It is an easy license to obtain and is designed to make fox ownership very popular in Florida. In Missouri, most fox species are allowed with permission for native species.
Missouri is one of the pet fox constitutional states with certain requirements. The Missouri Department of Conservation requires a wildlife permit for native species considered Class 1 wildlife. These include gray and red foxes. The fox must be taken out of the state and kept outside with an enclosure. In Nebraska, some fox species are allowed with a permit for native species. Nebraska has more relaxed regulations than any of the legal states for pet foxes, which require a permit for wildlife in captivity. Red and grey foxes are allowed and animals must be raised. Foxes are beautiful animals, and their lively personalities and adorable antics are loved by many people around the world. Social media users post and follow a huge amount of content with foxes, including those kept as pets. But can foxes legally be pets, and is it even a good idea? In total, there are 15 states where it is legal to own a fox in any capacity. However, the rules can change in any state and with any species of fox. So keep in mind that just because it`s legal to own a fox in your state doesn`t mean you can just catch one and domesticate one in the wild.
You should always check the laws of your respective state, county and municipality. States where you can legally own a fox: Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Any such animal illegally possessed may be confiscated © and moved or disposed of, as determined by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. The Department of Environmental Protection will issue an invoice to the owner or person in illegal possession of such a potentially dangerous animal for all costs of seizure, care, maintenance, movement or disposal of such animal. In addition, any person who violates any provision of this section shall be liable to a civil fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, as determined by the court for each offense. Each violation is a separate and autonomous offence, and in the case of a continuous violation, the continuation of each day is considered a separate and autonomous offence. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may apply to the Attorney General for an action in the Supreme Court to recover the penalty and any money owing under an Act enacted under this section and to grant an injunction providing for such equitable and interim relief as the Tribunal considers appropriate. I saw the price, I let myself jump until I realized, “Oh, it`s just the fennec foxes.” I want a red fox, and it`s legal in my state according to your list. I will have to do some more research. Thank you very much! This article provides you with everything you need to know about the legality of owning a fox and describes the complex needs of caring for a fox as a pet.
If owning a Russian red fox is legal in your area, you may find that this animal is a pleasant companion. These foxes are relatively well adapted to life with humans and behave similarly to domestic dogs, so their grooming is both familiar and manageable for people accustomed to owning dogs. Overall, a Russian red fox is a better pet than most other exotic species. However, foxes are intelligent and energetic animals that need a lot of exercise and stimulation. You need to be willing to spend a lot of time with your fox to keep them busy, as boredom can lead to destructive behavior. A secure enclosure is essential if your fox is left unattended, as this animal naturally wants to urinate on its territory. Native foxes, with the exception of red foxes, require a permit (Chapter 10) to import and possess from the department. Red foxes only need an import permit. Exotic foxes are not legal for environmental reasons. It is not known to what extent these permits are available.
You may be able to get permission if you exhibit in a library, school, media, etc. However, they are subject to annual inspections. Some states seem to allow foxes with permits they won`t give you, like Maine and Delaware. Others make foxes legal in the state, but by importing illegally, and without breeders in the state, it`s the same as banning them.