In Ontario, it is rarely legal to import only non-native species that are not threatened with extinction. In addition, some licensed wildlife owners may keep foxes in rare cases. The exceptions are contained in the provisions of the Wildlife and Fish Conservation Act and relate primarily to the care or rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned foxes. These include: Are you curious about the argument? Will you keep reading? We will explain when it is legal to keep wild foxes as pets, what the Ontario regulation says, and why foxes cannot be service animals. Many years ago, I secretly raised two baby raccoons because it was illegal for me to take care of them. I had them for a whole year before gradually bringing them back into the wild. In my opinion, raccoons could make great pets if you can give them enough outdoor space and stimulation. I wish I could have kept them as pets. They were very affectionate and usually also with strangers. The type of licence or permit that would make fox ownership legal in British Columbia would not be issued for personal use such as pet ownership. The Wildlife Act also prohibits the importation of wildlife into British Columbia, making it permanently illegal to have the prospect of a pet fox in that province. With the advent of these dog-like domestic foxes, it is questionable whether they can be successfully kept as pets.
For starters, legality varies depending on where you and your fox would live. In British Columbia, the fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered a native species and is protected by the Wildlife Act. According to the Act, „a person commits a crime if he or she has live wildlife in his or her personal possession, unless authorized by a licence or permit or is prescribed by regulation“ (Wildlife Act, 1996). I mean, you have to admit that these guys are fucking cute. These farm animals grow to about 3 feet tall and are apparently completely legal to own as pets. There are many species of wild foxes in Canada. In Ontario, you can see red foxes and grey foxes. They live everywhere: in the countryside, in cities, in urban parks, in forests, mountains and meadows.
Their habitat has been largely destroyed and they are forced to find closer contact with humans to find food, shelter and space. Canadian regulations prohibit the possession of a wild fox, so owning a fox is also illegal in Ontario, and it is unethical. In addition, wild foxes can transmit zoonotic parasites and infectious diseases to humans and other animals. You can also pray over free-roaming pets in the backyards. In general, they are unlikely to contact people, for prevention, Ontarians should take certain general measures, such as never leaving food or garbage outside. If you find a wild fox in your driveway or yard, make noise, clap and wave your hands to bring it back to nature. When most Canadians think about taking on the responsibility of owning a pet, a dog, cat, parakeet, goldfish, hamster or lizard usually comes to mind. After „Is it legal?“, ask yourself these questions: These birds certainly cost a pretty penny and often cost more than $10,000. It is also an endangered species, yet there are no laws against their possession in Canada. If you get one, you need to make sure you train them not to bite and give them plenty of space to fly. I`m not saying you should or that it`s a good idea (especially if you live downtown).
I am simply saying that under Canadian law, you cannot get into trouble if you own one of these animals. First, it is unethical to keep a wild animal as a pet. This is even more morally questionable when there are many homeless pets in Canada, such as dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters. Second, there are a number of local, provincial and federal regulations across the country that govern the ownership of wild animals as pets. In poor countries, it is illegal to own foxes in Canada. Many Canadian provinces consider fox species to be native wildlife and prohibit their possession for personal gain. In addition, the grey fox is a protected species prohibited as a pet in Canada. In addition, it is illegal to import a fox into Canada from other countries solely to keep it as a pet. Wild animals such as red foxes or gray foxes can also get sick. There are not many veterinarians in Ontario who care for wildlife, so it may not be possible to find an appropriate treatment. When you see a veterinarian, you must prove that you are a licensed wildlife owner and that you have not imported illegally imported animals or taken a fox out of the wild. Exotic animals are becoming increasingly popular among those looking for a pet that is slightly out of the mainstream compared to cats, dogs, and goldfish – some pets should definitely not be considered when looking for a pet due to factors such as animal welfare and cruelty, environmental impacts and public health and safety.
A number of exotic animals are illegal in Canada – although exotic animal regulations and laws can vary greatly from province to province and even municipality to municipality. Described by one expert as a „patchwork“ of regulations, alien pet ownership is certainly not uniform across the country, so it`s important to do your research to find out what`s allowed for your situation before bringing a pet home. With that in mind, here are some of the exotic animals that may be illegal in your province or city in Canada. But you might be interested to know that if you`re bored with the whole dog, cat, and goldfish scene, there are cute wild animals that you`re legally allowed to own in Canada. Although they are called dwarf goats, they really aren`t that small, so don`t expect anything tiny. They have a lot of energy and tend to make a lot of noise. While ownership is legal, selling milk and cheese is not, so don`t try to turn your pet into a payday. Note: While it should be self-evident simply because it`s legal (or rather, not illegal) to own an exotic animal, that doesn`t mean it`s a good idea for you and the animal. Pets demand that you devote time, energy and money to their health, well-being and safety and that of others. For more information, see Are you ready to have an exotic pet? In the United States, however, it`s a different story.
Pet foxes are legal in 27 states and require varying degrees of licenses and permits, if any in states like Tennessee, New Mexico, Kansas, and Mississippi. (Living with foxes, n.d.). But even though fox ownership is legal under state laws, domestic foxes can be banned at the municipal level, meaning potential owners must take extra precautions to ensure their pet is allowed. However, there are a variety of rarer and more unique animals that are off the beaten path when it comes to pet ownership. Below is an overview of 10 exotic animals that can be legally owned as pets in Canada, as well as links to each province`s rules below. Can you own a baby panther as a pet in British Columbia, Canada? With a permit? Which state in Canada allows Baby Panther to be a pet? Although they spend a lot of time sleeping, owning this exotic pet can keep you busy between feeding, playing, and socializing. They also tend to bark a bit, so if you have neighbors who aren`t fans of loud animal sounds, the fennec fox might not be for you. It is illegal to keep wild foxes as pets in British Columbia under the British Columbia Wildlife Act. Exotic foxes such as fennec foxes are also not permitted as pets under the Controlled Alien Species Regulations. Below is an overview of how each province and territory regulates exotic animals, whether the required applications, registrations and permits are required, and whether they are monitored at the provincial or municipal level.
It is important to note that regardless of the province in which a person lives, a permit for international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) may be required. We are interested – which of these animals do you most want as a pet? Have we missed something that is allowed in Canada? Let us know by leaving a comment below! The Yukon Wildlife Act currently prohibits all animals that are „not native to Yukon and normally occur in the wild in its natural habitat.“ So if you live in this part of Canada, there is no leeway when it comes to owning exotic animals in this area. No specific species are prohibited from entering this area; However, permits are required, as well as a health certificate from a veterinarian attesting that the animal is disease-free and in good health. Once the application is submitted, an individual must wait for the Deputy Minister`s approval to make a decision. The red fox is prohibited as a pet in British Columbia, but you can apply for a licence with fish and wildlife. If you`re looking for an alternative to a hamster or guinea pig, a hedgehog could be the exotic animal for you. They don`t need too much time for maintenance, just regular feeding and cleaning of the cage, and spend most of the day sleeping because they are nocturnal. Although their outer skin is spiny, these animals are cute and also a little shy – so it will take them a while to warm up with you and their surroundings. Meet the largest rodent in the world: the capybara. I mean, if you think about it, this animal is like a hamster the size of a dog.
They also look a lot like beavers! Native to South America, they eat grass and tree bark. This means moving them away from your wooden furniture. Surprisingly, Ontario is currently the only province in Canada where there is no formal province-wide legislation regarding exotic pet ownership. The authority to do so was given to communities by the Ontario Municipal Act, 2003, so exotic animal ordinances are not standardized and can vary from city to city in the province.