This site will be continually under construction and changing as the states, counties and municipals continually change their regulations and laws. These are the current regulations for 1996 that we have received to date. If you have other information, please let us know the citations of those laws or regulations, the state and when the changes went or will go into effect by sending e-mail to lawschange@monkeymaddness.com.
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Exotic Animal Permits Clerk
Livestock Health & Identification Division
503/986-4680 Fax: 503/986-4734
RE: Oregon Exotic Animal Permit
Oregon law requires the owners of exotic animals (which includes wolves and wolf crosses, and other hybrid exotics) in Oregon to have a permit for each species of exotic they hold. One requirement of the law is that the animal must be kept secure. It cannot run at large. Fencing requirements and recommendations are detailed in the packet. You must also meet any requirements of the city or county in which you live.
Failure to obtain the required permit is a Class B misdemeanor which carries a penalty of up to six (6) months in jail and/or $1,000 fine.
Included in the packet are 1) a summary of the exotic animal permit process, 2) copies of the Oregon laws and administrative rules concerning exotics, and 3) an exotic animal permit application.
To apply for an Oregon exotic animal permit, please complete the application form (including the name, address, and telephone number of the veterinarian who will provide routine care for your exotic) and return the original and one copy to this office with $20.00 filling fee. Keep one copy for your files.
The application will be forwarded to the appropriate Area Animal Health Veterinarian so he can schedule an inspection of your facility. After he approves the facility, a permit will be issued which is good for two years.
If you have any questions, please call the number above.
OREGON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
CHAPTER 609, DIVISION 11 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(Local Government Regulation)
Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS chapters 496, 497 and 498 relating to wildlife, and ORS 609.305 to 609.335 and 609.992 relating to exotic animals, a city or county may prohibit by ordinance the keeping of exotic animals as defined in ORS 609.305. {1977 c.802 '3; 1985 c.437 '9}
(GENERALLY)
As used in ORS 609.305, 609.309, 609.319 to 609.335 and 609.992, "exotic animal" means: (1) Any lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, ocelot or any other cat not indigenous to Oregon, except the species Felis catus (domestic cat); (2) Any monkey, ape, gorilla or other nonhuman primate; (3) Any wolf or any canine not indigenous to Oregon, except the species Canis familiaris (domestic dog); and (4) Any bear, except the black bear (Ursus americanus). {1985 c.437 '2}
It is the policy of this state that the keeping of exotic animals be regulated so as to assure the health, welfare and safety of such animals and to assure the security of facilities in which they are kept, so as to avoid undue risk to the public. It is the policy of this state that such regulation place no more burden upon the keepers of exotic animals than is required to accomplish the purposes expressed in this section. {1985 c.437 '1}
Nothing in ORS 609.305, 609.309, 609.319 to 609.335 and 609.992 shall apply to: (1) A wildlife rehabilitation center operated under a valid permit issued by the Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Department pursuant to ORS chapter 497; or (2) A facility operated under a valid license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal Animal Welfare Act of 1970 (7 U.S.C. 2133) {1985 c.437 '8}
No person may keep an exotic animal in this state unless, before acquiring the animal, the person possesses, or has applied for and not been refused or have had revoked or suspended, a valid State Department of agriculture permit for such an animal issued pursuant to ORS 609.335. No person may keep an exotic animal in this state for more than 30 days after the expiration, revocation or suspension of such a permit. {1985 c.437 '3}
Any person who keeps an exotic animal shall be liable for any costs incurred by any person, city, county or state agency resulting from the escape from custody of the animal. {1985 c.437 '5}
(1) The State Department of Agriculture shall issue permits for the keeping of exotic animals, as defined in ORS 609.305.
(2) The department of Agriculture shall adopt reasonable rules for the issuing of permits to keep exotic animals and establishing conditions thereof. The conditions shall be directed toward assuring the health, welfare and safety of the animals and, where necessary, the security of facilities in which the animals are kept. The rules shall be no more restrictive upon keepers of exotic animals than is reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of ORS 609.309 and subsection (1) of this section.
(3) A separate permit shall be required for each species of animal kept. A permit shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of issue and may be renewed.
(4) The Department may charge a fee for the issuance and for renewal of permits under this section. The fee shall not exceed $20 for each issuance or renewal.
(5) The department may revoke a permit upon finding a violation of rules adopted under this section, or the department may issue a finding of violation and a warning to remedy the violation by a date certain. {1985 c.437 '7}
(1) Violation of ORS 609.319 is a Class B misdemeanor.
(2) In addition to and not in lieu of any jail sentence or fine it may impose, a court may require a defendant convicted under ORS 609.319 to forfeit any rights of the defendant in any exotic animal kept in violation thereof and to repay reasonable costs incurred by any person, city, state agency in caring for the animal prior to judgment.
(3) When the court orders the defendant's rights in the exotic animal to be forfeited, the court may further order that those rights be given over to an appropriate person or agency demonstrating a willingness to accept and care for the animal or to the county or an appropriate animal care agency for further disposition in accordance with accepted practices for humane treatment of animals. This subsection shall not constitute or authorize any limitation upon the right of the person or agency to whom rights are granted to resell or otherwise make disposition of the animal. A transfer of rights under this subsection constitutes a transfer of ownership. {1985 c.437 '6}
In Oregon you need an exotic animal permit from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
No person may keep an exotic animal in this state unless, before acquiring the animal, the person possesses, or has applied for and not been refused or have had revoked or suspended, a valid State Department of agriculture permit for such an animal issued pursuant to ORS 609.335. Any person who keeps an exotic animal shall be liable for any costs incurred by any person, city, county or state.