How to Research the Laws Regarding Foxes as Pets

Foxes are considered wildlife, and as such may not be legally allowed as pets in some states or areas. Before acquiring a pet fox, you must confirm that it is not illegal. Researching the laws regarding what animals are legal to own can take some time but is not difficult. Some of the information may seem redundant at first glance, but it is best to cover all your bases by confirming the legality of foxes as pets through every agency that may possibly have governance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Law books

1. Contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to obtain a current copy of their policies regarding animals that can be imported into the United States (see Resources below). Some pets can be brought in without health forms and others must have documentation that they are disease-free. This information is needed only if your pet fox is coming from another country.
2. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations regarding health requirements for pets being brought into the United States. Their website has a lot of information on this topic (see Resources below).
3. Hit the law books and study Title 9, Part 93 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The CFR is a compilation of federal laws about a wide range of topics. Title 9, Part 93 relates to the importation of animals, including wildlife such as foxes.
4. Research the legality of owning a pet fox at the local level first, up to the state level. Some local jurisdictions may have certain laws about particular pets, even if your state does allow foxes.
5. Call your city or county health department to inquire about local by-laws or regulations about foxes as pets. They may not have any restrictions but can probably give you the name of the state agency to contact.
6. Contact the agency that handles animal laws in your state. You may need to do a little research on this one. For some states, it is the department of wildlife, while in others it falls under agriculture and natural resources. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has put together a list of state laws for all the United States and its territories (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• When you look up state and federal laws regarding the legality of foxes as pets, be sure that you are reading the most current version of the law. Sometimes the Internet is not always the most up-to-date source for these regulations. When in doubt, call or visit the governing agency to obtain updated information.

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