20 Pets That Are Actually Illegal In California
By Rebekah Gonzalez
August 30, 2021
When you think of pets, the first examples that come to mind are probably dogs, cats, and fish. However, "exotic pets" are so popular across the country many states have had to ban them.
According to Always Pets, these 20 pets are illegal in California:
- African Clawed Frogs
- Alligators / Crocodiles
- Bats
- Bears
- Capybaras
- Ferrets
- Gerbils
- Hedgehogs
- Jaguars (and all other non-domestic cats)
- Lions
- Mongooses
- Monkeys
- Penguins
- Quaker Parrot
- Skunks
- SlowLorises
- Small Turtles
- Squirrels
- Sugar Gliders
- Tigers
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, non-native species are restricted from being kept as pets to protect public health and safety, agriculture, wildlife, and natural resources.
However, the CDFW does issue permits to qualified individuals or institutions for limited purposes like research, public exhibition, or shelter. Still, those permits are not issued for pet purposes.
To see which pets have been banned in other states, click here.