Minnesota Laws Regulating Exotic Animal Ownership

A Minnesota state law (Minnesota Statutes § 346.155) went into effect on January 1, 2005 that prohibits individuals with some exemptions, from purchasing, obtaining, or owning certain exotic animals in Minnesota. The following species are prohibited:

• All members of the Felidae (cat) family, except domestic cats. This includes, but is not limited to, lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots and servals;
• Bears;
• All nonhuman primates. This includes, but is not limited to, lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins; and
• Any hybrid or cross between an animal listed above and a domestic animal, as well as offspring from all subsequent generations of those crosses or hybrids.

People who owned these animals prior to January 1, 2005 may keep them if the animals were registered with their local animal control authority by March 2, 2005 and if the owners comply with certain regulatory standards.

What should I do if I want to move my registered animal to a new location or transfer it to a new owner?

You must notify the local animal control authority in writing within ten days of a change of address or location where a regulated animal is kept. A sample Notification of Change of Location form is available on the Minnesota Board of Animal Health website which can be used for this purpose. If you have questions about the registration process or the law, please contact your local animal control authority.

For more details refer to the full text of Minnesota Statute § 346.155.