A Guide to Exotic Animals in Georgia
The primary source of the law governing the ownership of exotic pets in Georgia is found in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated ("O.C.G.A." the "Code"), section 27-4-1 , et seq (2018) (Laws of Georgia) that restricts the possession of a number of animals, such as primates and felids (e.g., felines), for all Georgians. Georgia’s law, unlike some states, only permits the ownership of certain exotic pets. Georgia does not have a list of prohibited species. Instead, it has a list of permitted species. This is an important distinction. The State of Georgia prohibits the possession of all wild animals and wild birds unless they are expressly exempted.
Therefore, assuming that your desired exotic animal is not expressly prohibited by Georgia law, you will need to consult the Georgia list of wild animals for guidance on whether you will be required to gain a permit before obtaining one .
There are a number of species that fall within the definition of an "animal" for the purposes of Georgia’s Wild Animal Rules, such as: lions, tiger, leopards, jaguar, mountain lions, cheetahs, ocelots, servals, and bobcats, amongst others (here is the complete list—TIGERS ARE ON THIS LIST). The law prohibits the ownership of an animal in the above-listed species unless the owner has obtained an annual Wild Animal Possession Permit. The list of protected species is not exhaustive, but there are a number of other animals where the ultimate owner is required to obtain a permit. Thus, in addition to the above-listed species, if you are not a non-research facility, exotic animal rehabilitation/rescue facility, governmental agency or educational institution, or a business establishment engaged in the business of training animals for such uses, the law also defines animals to include "any other animal which is listed in the wild animal rule as requiring a permit."
These Exotic Animals are Legal in Georgia
Georgia, unlike some of its neighboring states, has a surprisingly liberal approach to exotic pet ownership. Many species are permitted and legal to keep, provided that the owner meets basic requirements. These include age, the ability to provide appropriate housing and care for the animal and the completion of prior permit applications for certain species. In other words, as long as you have the ability to care for the animal properly, are old enough to own a pet and have completed all other requirements, you can legally keep some exotic animals.
Unlike many other states, there are species that are permitted to be kept as pets by the average owner. There are several families and types of exotic pets that are permitted in Georgia. When comparing to other states, it is easy to see that Georgia is quite open about the pets that can be kept legally.
Commonly kept reptiles include the Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata), Ball Pythons (Python regius) and Bearded Dragons (Pogona particular). All of these reptiles are easy to keep and relatively low maintenance.
Most of the commonly kept mammals are small, quiet and friendly. Common exotic mammals that are legal in Georgia include the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) and the Kinkajou (Potos rutilens). Both the sugar glider and kinkajou are marsupials. Macaws, also referred to as macaw parrots or parakeets, are extremely social birds that require plenty of socialization and attention. Although these birds are legal, their social requirements are challenging for many people to provide.
One of the more unusual animals that is permitted, and likely quite rare, is the Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda). All foxes belong to the family Canidae, which includes dogs. While this animal is rare, it is becoming popular among those seeking more exotic and lesser known pets.
Although it is perhaps mildly surprising, the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) and domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in their various breeds and mixes are also legal.
Some exotic pets that are illegal to keep in Georgia include the Capuchin Monkey (Cebus apella) and Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta). Monkeys and lemurs are classified as primates, which contain many species that are illegal to keep. Monkeys and lemurs require a high level of specialized care, caretaking in pairs or groups, and a great deal of socialization.
Permits for Exotic Pets
Exotic Pet Permit Requirements in Georgia
In order to keep an animal which falls under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources ("GADNR") it is often necessary to obtain a permit. In Georgia, the "Wildlife Resources Division" (the "Division") has specific rules regarding the permitting of animals. This process is completed through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division, Wildlife Permits Unit. There is an application fee of $25.00 which must be submitted with the permit application. The Unit will accept cash, checks, and money orders. Fees are non-refundable. Additionally, there is a one hundred dollars ($100.00) permit amendment fee should any change occur to the permit. The Unit performs an annual review (as needed) of currently permitted animals to ensure legality in accordance with rule. The Division periodically conducts office visits and field inspections to verify rule compliance. All permit applications and reporting of wild animals shall be submitted online. Permits are valid for the calendar year, January 1 through December 31. All permit forms, applications, and issues are available on the GDNR website. Certain species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mollusks require a license permit to import, possess, sell, purchase, transport, exchange, and/or release as regulated by law. There are a number of categories of permits. For example, there are restrictions on the possession of many species of venomous reptiles.
Prohibited Exotic Animals in Georgia
In Georgia, certain exotic pets cannot be legally owned due to a risk of harm to humans, threat to public health, damage to the environment, and/or harm or disruption to native wildlife populations. Based on these criteria, the following exotic animals are prohibited from legal private ownership in Georgia:
Wildlife
American black bear
Antelope (all species)
Bears (all species not protected as endangered or threatened)
Big-horn sheep
Bongo
Bubalis antelope
Bubiala baboon
Camel (all species)
Capuchin monkey
Gazelles
Gemsbok
Hottentot teal
Indochinese leopard
Kuwait antelope
Japanese macaque
Leopard
Mandrill baboon (Papio), exception for an allowed person
Orangutan
Red kangaroo
Spotted deer
Spotted leopard
Potamochoerus
Prohibitions on Allen’s swamp monkey, rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys
Red-tailed guenon
Sooty mangabey
Sykes monkey
Thompson’s gazelle
Turanian gazelle
Watusi cattle
Albuquerque pronghorn
Antiguan anhinga
Caribbean monk seal
Elephant seal
Grevy’s zebra
Kirk’s dik-dik
Roosevelt’s gazelle
South Dakota antelope
Reptiles
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Any amphibian or reptile of the order Crocodylia (those lizards and snakes which have a diapsid skull of the type which is divided into two temporal fenestrae).
Alligators
American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis)
Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis)
Caiman
Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare)
White Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)
Pseudibis eggertii (species classified as endangered)
Prohibited by the rules of the Department of Natural Resources per what is defined as "an endangered species" pursuant to the authority of the Fish and Water Commission.
Birds
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)
Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata)
Chinese Sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)
Cinerous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
Common Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Dodo (Raphus cucullatus)
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)
Dusky Rattlesnake Sistrurus catenatus
Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)
Geothlypis formosa
Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis)
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
Japanese Red Breasted Goose (Branta jankowskii)
Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)
Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius longirostris)
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Pacific Owl (Strix currunicolor)
Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius)
Pintail (Anas acuta)
Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)
Ruddy Shelduck (Anas phaeonata)
Siskin (Carduelis spinus)
Splash Sparrow (Miliaria splatus)
Thar Tule Goose (Anser indicus)
Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius culebra)
Rodents
Solomon Island Skink (Corucia zebrata)
Prohibited pursuant to the authority of the Fish and Water Commission.
Owning Exotic Pets Responsibly
Responsible ownership of exotic pets is paramount to ensuring that the animals, as well as their owners and the public, remain safe for years to come. This means pet owners should understand what it means to own an exotic animal. First and foremost, the welfare of the animal needs to be at the heart of all decision making. Proper food and care, a clean environment, and appropriate housing systems must be considered for all animals. Additionally, owners must educate themselves on their species’ life needs such as size and behaviors. This means reading about the animal and talking to someone who has experience with the species. Owners also need to know what their animals require to be legally owned . This includes permits, fees, buying or building facilities, and/or finding vets with experience treating specific species. Furthermore, owners must be educated on any breeding restrictions associated with their pets. Specific reptile species, for example, may be banned from breeding in Georgia. Moreover, owners should think critically about the animals individually, including where the animal will be kept and its possible positive and negative attributes. Large reptiles may look cool, but they may be too difficult to handle. Also, owners should educate themselves about the environmental impact their pets might have in Georgia and other areas. Once released, non-native animals can begin new populations that displace native animals, damage natural habitats, and ultimately cause the local ecosystem to fail.
Where to Acquire Legal Exotic Animals in Georgia
Reputable sources for legal exotic pets in Georgia are available to those committed to providing long-term, appropriate care for their new family member. Breeders offering legal exotic animals for sale include Resplendence Exotics in Gainesville, with a focus on birds and sugar gliders, and Gatorland in Atlanta, which offers sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and reptiles. For reptiles, the Southeastern Reptile Rescue in Conyers, GA offers surplus from alligator removal efforts for no fee. Left On Our Own Animal Sanctuary, or L.O.O.S. in Byromville, focuses on placing non-traditional pets with those in need of companionship, education, and experience caring for such animals.
Those looking to rescue an exotic animal can check the Exotic Animal Rescue League in Lawrenceville, Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation in Columbus, or Wildwood Rescue in Ringgold for current locations and names of legal pets in need of a new home. Petfinder also offers listings for exotic animals available for adoption in GA outside of the traditional limits set for other rescues.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is the cost of owning an exotic pet?
Owning an exotic pet can, in most cases, be a lot cheaper than owning a cat or dog. You should expect to spend at least $200 for a simple tank set up for a lizard, while a household fish tank can be about the same. The monthly cost of feed for a lizard is only about $20-30, compared to $30-150 for a dog or cat. Reptile vet care can range from $50-150 per visit, while a cat or dog visit costs more, typically in the $80-100+ range.
Are exotic pets high maintenance?
In general, these animals don’t require much more interaction or care than your average cat or dog. While some species do require extra heat or humidity, there are many suitable solutions on the market for those needs. When properly set up and cared for, most reptiles and amphibians don’t require much care at all. Some may require a large professional cleaning/maintenance once every few months to a year, depending on the species. They also do not need to go on walks or need outside time like dogs or cats do.
Who can I call if I’m not sure what exotic animal I have?
While we would be happy to look over your pet , you can also try contacting one of the many exotic pet forums on the internet. You should also contact your local herp society if one exists in your area.
What should I do if I suspect my pet is sick?
Most symptoms of a sick pet are pretty easy to spot. If you suspect your pet may be sick, please do not hesitate to call your veterinarian right away. If they do not specifically treat exotics, please call around to see if another vet can see them for you. Even if your exotic pet was healthy when you took him/her in, your exotics veterinarian will be familiar with their specific care and needs.
How do I find a reptile veterinarian?
You can check out the Association of Reptilian & Amphibian Veterinarians website to find a local veterinarian to care for your pets. It’s best to call around, however, to see which vet is most suited to handle your specific exotic animal. Usually this comes down to "bricks and mortar" facilities rather than mobile clinics.
What happens if my pet is banned in Georgia?
If your pet turns out to be one of the prohibited species, it’s best to contact your veterinarian or local animal control for advice on how to deal with the situation. It is also best if you take the initiative in dealing with the situation on your own—don’t wait for an animal control officer to show up at your door to confiscate it.