Ocelots are implicitly legal to own as pets in a handful of states that currently have no specific laws regulating dangerous wild animals.
Ocelot legality as pets varies significantly across the United States, largely depending on state-specific regulations concerning exotic animal ownership.
States with No Specific Laws
In some states, the absence of laws specifically prohibiting dangerous wild animals means that keeping ocelots as pets is not explicitly illegal. These states currently include:
- Alabama
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Wisconsin
It's important to note that while these states may not have specific bans, local ordinances or changing state laws could still impact the legality of owning an ocelot.
States Requiring Permits or Allowing Specific Species
A significant number of states do not outright ban all dangerous exotic pets but instead regulate their ownership through permit requirements or by allowing only certain species. There are 24 states that fall into this category, where individuals may be able to own exotic animals like ocelots under specific conditions, such as obtaining a permit. The ability to acquire a permit or if ocelots are classified under "certain species" would determine their legality in these states. Due to varying regulations, it's essential for prospective owners to check specific state and local laws.
States Where Ocelots Are Banned
Conversely, twenty-one states have enacted outright bans on all dangerous exotic pets, which includes wild cats like ocelots. In these states, owning an ocelot is strictly illegal.
