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TextFairfax County Police Department - Exotic Animals
Exotic Pet Ownership in Fairfax County?
Residents of Fairfax County are welcome to own "companion" animals. There are several laws, codes and home owner restrictions, however, referencing owning and housing of "exotic" animals. Please visit the Fairfax County zoning site for specific information on these restrictions.
What is the definition of "companion" animal?
Companion animal means any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, non-human primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under the care, custody, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purpose of this chapter.
What is the definition of an “exotic” animal?
Wild or exotic animal means any live monkey (non-human primate), raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal, poisonous snake or tarantula that can normally be found in the wild state or any other member of a crocodilian, including but not limited to alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gavials. Ferrets, non-poisonous snakes, rabbits and laboratory rats that have been bred in captivity and that have never known the wild are excluded from this definition.
Local codes largely prohibit the keeping of wild, exotic or vicious animals in Fairfax County.
Section 41.1-4.1 describes the law and its exceptions:
- No person shall
keep or permit to be kept any wild, exotic or vicious animal, as those
terms are defined (above) for any purposes except: zoological parks,
traveling animal exhibitions, circuses or veterinary clinics that are
properly licensed by Federal or state governments. The wild or exotic
animals of such establishments shall not be exhibited or displayed in
such a manner than persons other than their handlers can pet, fondle or
otherwise come into direct physical contact with such animals. This
prohibition shall not apply to the riding of elephants by persons other
than the handlers while under the direct supervision of the handlers
while performing in properly licensed parks/exhibitions or
circuses.
41.1-4-2 describes the requirement of proper information sharing for
those selling exotic animals at the time/place of their sale:
No person may lawfully keep or permit to be kept in Fairfax county
(other than a certified service animal) any live monkey, raccoon, skunk,
wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other
warm-blooded animal, poisonous snake or tarantula, crocodile or
alligator, which can normally be found in the wild state or any other
member of the crocodilian, including but not limited to alligators,
crocodiles, caimans and gavials.
Section 41.1-4-3 Disposition of Animals
Any person who keeps a wild, exotic or vicious animal in contravention
of this article may dispose of the animal by removal of the animal from
Fairfax County, by giving or selling the animal to a zoological park or
by releasing the animal to the Animal Services Division, which shall
release the animal to the wild, to a zoological park, or other entity
approved for the care or protection of the particular species
Animal Control Officers receive inquiries about pet ownership regarding such animals as the tea cup pigs, shown here.
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