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How To Obtain Permits and Licenses
Lions, Tigers and Bears! Oh my! While owning a tiger might sound
like a great idea to some pet fanciers, they are actually dangerous
creatures that would be better left to the professionals. There are
some exotics that DO make great pets however!
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Exotics like this Chinchilla can make great pets! |
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How To Obtain Permits and Licenses
by Pat Hoctor
I will try to give you a brief rundown of how to obtain the
paperwork you need to stay legal. Remember that I am not an
attorney, but this is what works for me.
Let's start with the Federally Endangered animals. If you can't
obtain them in the state you reside, get them on breeders loan or
receive them gratis, then you need to obtain a Captive Bred Wildlife
Permit from the Federal Wildlife Permit Office (4401 N. Fairfax Dr,
Room 432 , Arlington, Virginia 22203- Phone 703-358-2014, Fax
703-358-2281).
If you don't have excellent pens, a USDA license, over a year
experience reproducing a like species and the patience of Job, good
luck. You'll need it.
Answer all of the questions as truthfully as possible and in full.
Leave no blank spaces. Remember, you must apply for each species
that you desire. If they bump your application, keep resubmitting
it.
A USDA license is required if you use an exotic in any commercial
activity, even if you don't make profit (e.g. a parade or school
lectures). You can obtain an application form by calling your
capitol and asking for the federal USDA APHIS phone number. In this
permit, they are not basically approving your knowledge but
approving your pens and facility. They are required by law to make
periodic inspections of your facilities. If you aren't required by
law to have one, believe me, you don't want it. It's no fun to have
someone dictate to you how you must do almost everything at your
farm. By law, it is a negative report-never saying anything nice
about anything, just finding fault. You must do what they say-even
if it makes no sense. They are gods and will make sure you know it.
State permits are required in most cases on species native to your
state. However, each state is different, so you must contact your
Fish and Game department or their equivalent. A state permit is
required on native animals in most states because the main priority
of the Fish and Game department of each state is to protect those
animals native to the state. If there were no tabs kept on
activities including these animals, there would be no control. You
can find the proper phone number for your area by calling
information in you state's capitol and asking for the Fish and Game
Department, Permit Division. They will tell you what animals you
need a permit for. Remember, even if you have a legal permit, many
states still require both import and export permits.
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