If you dream of following in the footsteps of a Disney princess and having a pet squirrel or tiger as a sidekick, you may have to settle for a simple dog or cat instead.
There are many animals that are illegal to own as pets in the US, although a few are banned internationally. Instead, regulations vary by state.
The most forbidden animals are large or very dangerous, such as bears, cats, or poisonous snakes and spiders. However, there are many other reasons why an animal may be banned as a pet: some animals are specifically banned in cities due to lack of space, others carry diseases such as salmonella or ringworm, and others do not fare well. In certain areas.
For example, although gerbils are a popular pet in most parts of the country, they are completely banned in Hawaii and California. Natural desert habitat allows escaped gerbils to breed and become invasive. Ferrets are banned as pets in many cities for fear of spreading rabies, although some states allow them as long as owners have a license or rabies vaccination.
Unfortunately, there are many stories of pet owners underestimating the ‘wildness’ associated with a wild animal. Many exotic breeds cannot be fully domesticated or trained, no matter how well they seem to interact with people. In the year In 2009, despite having lived peacefully with a human family all his life, Travis the chimpanzee suddenly beat his family friend in Connecticut. Last March, an Ohio man Attacked by his pet zebra, Legally registered and owned.
Stack Read on to find out if your favorite animal is legal to own in your state and what to consider.