Exotic Animals As Pets In Canada

PIJAC Canadas exotic animal policy suggested list of prohibited species.

Exotic animals as pets in canada. 588652 wild animals are kept as pets. Exotic animals such as tigers lions monkeys marmosets fennec foxes caimans cobras poison arrow dart frogs and many others are illegal to own as pets in BC. When most canadians think about taking on the responsibility of owning a pet a dog cat budgie goldfish hamster or lizards comes to mind.

Finally to conclude according to the Canadian Constitution Act animals are considered property and control of exotic pets is left to provincial legislation. However the exotic pet trade is second only drugs in terms of illegal markets. Many people are surprised to learn about the great diversity of species that we have on this planet and this variety extends to the animals we keep in our homes.

The unregulated exotic pet trade in Canada When a province fails to regulate the keeping of exotic animals the responsibility to ban or regulate the keeping of exotic wild pets fall with each individual municipality. This includes local wild animals with the exception of my page on ecological concerns where I am referring to nonlocal animals only. Exotic pet breakdown by province.

Most people know that wild animals like grizzly bears and cougars should never be pets. Some exotic pet owners are very public with their animals. Exotic pets require a permit to import and possess however there is a list of 43 species that are exempt from this.

Not all exotic animals make good pets please do research when contacting anyone on an animal you want as a pet. Below is an overview of 10 exotic animals that can be legally owned as pets in canada. With 14 million wild animals kept as pets in Canada the reality is that these animals are likely to live nearby.

This makes it very confusing for Canadians and causes difficulties when moving from one province to another. Read our positions on exotic pets and wild and exotic animals in zoos aquariums and other permanent captivity. Alberta toughened its stance on exotic animals in 2000.