We like to think of ourselves as law-abiding citizens here in Virginia. Hedgehogs might be adorable and playful, but New York City, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Douglas County, Nebraska, don’t allow them to be kept as pets. January 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. If you live in a place where it’s legal to own a pet raccoon, and you are thinking about getting one, there are many other things to consider. Domesticated races of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) including hybrids with wild sheep. Also, there are some endangered species that are protected by the law. The Animal Law Resource Center provides information on laws/statutes for all 50 states and the federal government regarding animals, including animal control, animal cruelty, animal research, service and police animals, animals used in agriculture, animals used in entertainment, companion animals, animals used for education, veterinarians, and wildlife. Importation requirements, possession, and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals. Here are some that you can own: Ferret (Marshall's ONLY. Our pet foxes are part of our family just like any other pet, we love them as so and most of them have never known another home. Title 4. 4VAC15-30-40. ABWells on June 06, 2017: August 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 24, eff. The laws are to protect both you and the animal from harm. Bruno Vincent / Stringer / Getty Images Pet owners used to be allowed to own domesticated foxes in Virginia due to a loophole that was meant to make it legal for fur farmers, but this was reversed in 2017. But please, if you must get an unusual animal, make sure that it was not taken from the wild. That information is available through the County’s zoning department. Washington. When making an estate plan and preparing for the future, most are careful to account for all their assets and personal possessions in their will, but what about your pets? 4VAC15-30-40. Hemp and its derivatives, such as CBD extracts, are legal in all 50 states under the 2018 “Farm Bill.” The amended Agricultural Act removed hemp from the list of controlled substances and reclassified it to an agricultural commodity. January 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. §19-20-25. Definitions; "wild animal," "native animal," "naturalized animal," "nonnative (exotic) animal," and "domestic animal". A. If you are a resident of Virginia, or are moving to Virginia, there are no entry requirements for you to bring in your personal pet. Domesticated red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) having coat colors distinguishable from wild red foxes and wild European rabbits possessed in captivity on July 1, 2017, may be maintained in captivity until the animal dies, but the animal may not be bred or sold without a permit from the department. like wolf hybrids, pygmy goat, sheep, duck, chicken, degu, Llamas, pudu, crow/raven, capabara, Patagonian Cavy, paca, alpaca, red fox. You can keep, maintain, propagate, buy, sell, or import some wild animals without a MassWildlife permit. Below is our current list of petscams. In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. January 1, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 06, eff. 337-346 (Alexandria etc.) Believe it or not but other species are illegal. As far as ownership, skunks and virginia possums fall under the jurisdiction of the PA Game Commission and can be taken alive if a person has a valid furbearer license, but they can't be bought, sold, or transported across state lines. Unless you have your USDA license it's almost impossible. Although pet licensing is coordinated through the City Treasurer's Office, most pet and animal services are provided by the Police Department's Animal Control Division. If your exotic pet has an emergency during REGULAR business hours, call us at 804-364-7030 Regular Business Hours M-F 7:30am to 6:00pm Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00pm For AFTER HOURS emergencies, visit one of these animal hospital options. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Since 1946, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has been a resource for our community and a shelter for homeless animals. There are lots of farms in VA! I've seen pet geese in my town (I'm a Virginian.) By Staff Writer Last Updated Mar 25, 2020 1:20:19 AM ET It is legal to own piranhas in some states including Michigan, New Hampshire, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North and South Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming … VA is really funny about people owning wildlife. Birds- Chickens and ducks are legal. A list of recognized rabbit breeds is available on the department's website. 4 states have no laws on keeping dangerous wild animals as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In accordance with § 29.1-100 of the Code of Virginia, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section when used in regulations of the board: "Native animal" means those species and subspecies of animals … For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axRsJ. If these techniques do not solve the problem, you can contact a licensed trapper or a critter removal service which you can find in your local phone directory. In What States Is It Legal to Own Piranhas As Pets? In addition to federal laws governing animal ownership and treatment, every state has certain prohibitions or restrictions on which exotic animals can be owned as Best Friends Available The Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center has plenty of loveable pets for you to meet. The list of mammals legal to import into the islands consists of guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, mice and rats. These spiny animals were banned as pets in Fairfax County until Tuesday, Jan. 22, when the Board of Supervisors legalized hedgehogs as pets, as well as lifted the need for zoning permissions to keep chinchillas and hermit crabs. Bobcats are classified as a furbearing animal. 4VAC15-20-50. The following animals are defined as domestic animals: Domestic dog (Canis familiaris), including wolf hybrids. Didn’t see your state on this list? Retirement, transfer or disposal of state owned dogs and horses. But many people don’t know about these peculiar or outdated laws that still exist in Virginia. Domesticated races of chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger). A. Historical Notes. County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief (Washington D.C. and U.S. territories Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have done the same.) Staying legal. Red foxes are native to Virginia, but I'm not sure they're legal to own anywhere in the U.S. In 2014, Virginia amended its Protective Order laws to grant petitioners possession of any “companion animal," so long as the petitioner is considered the owner. ), Lizards (the legal ones you will find in a pet store). Domesticated breeds of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. and any lineage resulting from crossbreeding recognized breeds. Vol. Many parrots are killed so their chicks can be taken, and I'll bet it's the same with many other animals. Also, I think what kinds of animals you can own depends upon how much land you have (for larger animals.) I've seen llamas in Virginia, too. Exception for red foxes and European rabbits. All the others that you listed are either exotic and not allowed in this county or wild and unable to be kept as pets. Jones people like pets so get ur grubby little hand away form ur phone on June 13, 2017: I own a lion 4 birds 5 dogs snakes mice hamsters cats I have a lot of animals that I love and they love me back. Like humans and pets, wild animals can have a variety of naturally-occurring diseases. In Virginia, law enforcement or animal control officers, firefighters, and emergency responders are allowed to break into vehicles to rescue pets at risk of serious injury or death. While Virginia’s animal shelters and pet rescue organizations provide a much needed service for pets in need, they are really no place for pre-loved family companions that are used to being pampered. January 1, 2019; Volume 35, Issue 22, eff. Animal Laws by State. Things to consider are your lifestyle, what kind of animal can fit in your living space, and your commitment to caring for the animal. This written declaration shall (i) serve as a permit for possession only, (ii) is not transferable, and (iii) must be renewed every five years. §§ 29.1-103 , 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia. In other states, it is entirely illegal to own them. A. How can you break it down and tell someone you’ve been catfishing? Poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, ratites, & game birds such as quail or partridge) Primates (monkeys & apes) Swine (including pet pigs) Other Animals (such as reptiles, large cats, bears) Virginia regulations govern the entry of animals into the Commonwealth. ... Virginia. References. Massachusetts is strict with pet laws. The VDGIF (Virginia department of game and inland fisheries) wants to ban pet foxes and make it illegal to own them in the state of Virginia. Often foxes and raccoons are unintentionally attracted to houses and properties due to unsecured trash cans, dumpsters, pet … Hedgehogs. Domestic horse (Equus caballus), including hybrids with Equus asinus. In most states, it is legal to catch and keep venomous snakes as pets with a permit. I would think they are probably illegal seeing as how the laws are so strict here. The map in this article, taken from the official United States Census Bureau site, includes Clifton Forge and Bedford as independent cities. Also, there are some endangered species that are protected by the law. Fortunately for your curiosity, every state has exotic animal laws which allow, restrict, or prohibit ownership of certain types of animals. 8, No. Permit for keeping pets. According to the Michigan State University College of Law, “Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is defined as a law or statute that equates the qualities of a dangerous dog with a certain breed, and bans or restricts certain breeds based on identity, not behavior of a specific animal.This type of legislation does not make concessions for those members of the breed … We now have over 8,000 fraudulent pet websites listed in our directory: I'm not sure about the cavy, capabara, or paca. The law passed without one “nay” vote by both the House of Delegates and Senate. Domesticated races of ducks and geese distinguishable morphologically from wild birds. Pygmy goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, llamas, and alpacas are NOT exotic. As far as any other counties regulations you would have to check with them. Only several birds and aquarium-dwelling species are legal exotic pets in this unique state, with peafowl (a.k.a peacocks and peahens) being considered poultry. Permit required. As we previously mentioned, the list of states that are hedgehog-friendly is much, much longer than ones that are hedgehog-hostile. [See also Article 34. Once you’ve determined that your animal companion is legal within your state of residence, you must determine that he is legal in your city or town. A list of model breed-specific ordinances, which have withstood legal challenges, and noted ordinances, which often contain a blend of pit bull sterilization and anti-tethering requirements. Think carefully before implementing such a policy, for these reasons: A fee might not be legal. I've seen llamas in Virginia, too. In other states, it is entirely illegal to own them. The law made Virginia the 48 th U.S. state to make certain acts of animal cruelty a felony offense. Unfortunately, legal exotic pet ownership is on the decline because it receives little support or cultural acceptance. Anyone else on here live the Northeast and tired of the snowplows hitting their pets and taking no responsibility for it after they do it? Failure to reapply within the required time period will result in the removal of the provider’s name from the List. Is your beloved pet banned in parts of the country? Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. There are laws on breeding, importing, and … In the case of domesticated animals, such as cats and dogs, contact your city or local animal division; local governments usually determine things like spay/neuter and leashing laws, or bans on breed-specific animals like pit bulls or Rottweilers. Dangerous Wild Animals Act, W. Va. Code, § 19-34-1 to 9] § 20-2-51. Department of Wildlife Resources, Chapter 20. Definitions and Miscellaneous: in General » 4VAC15-20-50. 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