Giraffes, camels and kangaroos, Oh my! Animals you can and can’t own in TN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Most people opt for cats, dogs or even hamsters as furry friends, but every now and then there will be some people who want to share their home with a bit wilder companion.
In the past, animals like the dwarf caiman have made headlines, with many people questioning whether the animal that resembles an alligator is legal to own as a pet. While the dwarf caiman is an animal that is legal to own in Tennessee, alligators are not.
State law further clarifies just which animals can be legally kept as a pet and which only belong in the zoo or the wild. The long list includes everything from tigers to llamas and alpacas, and some of the animals that are legal to own might surprise you.
It’s unlikely to see a giraffe, kangaroo, or camel in someone’s backyard in Tennessee, but under state law, there is nothing stopping anyone from keeping them as pets. However, there are some animals like white-tailed deer that may only be possessed by zoos.
Whether you’re thinking about adopting a wolf or prefer seeing wolves behind a sheet of glass at the zoo, knowing local laws can come in handy. Below is a full list explaining what animals you can and can’t own in Tennessee.
Animals you cannot own in Tennessee
Class I: This class includes all species inherently dangerous to humans. These species may only be possessed by zoos, circuses, and commercial propagators. All of the Class I animals are illegal when it comes to personal possession.
- Primates: Gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, gibbons, siamangs, mandrills, drills, baboons, Gelada baboons
- Wolves: All species
- Bears: All species
- Lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars: All species
- Elephants: All species
- Rhinoceroses: All species
- Hippopotamus
- African buffalo
- Crocodiles and alligators: All species
- Snakes: All venomous species
- Amphibians: All poisonous species
Class II: This class includes native species, except those listed in other classes.
Anyone who has a Class I animal in captivity without first obtaining the appropriate permit is subject to a $150 fine per animal or $1,000 fine per facility. The fine drops to $10 per animal and $100 per facility if it is a Class II animal.
Owners of unpermitted wildlife have 30 days to take the animal to a qualified recipient. Each day of possession after the 30-day period constitutes a separate violation, which is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
Animals you can own in Tennessee
Class III: This class requires no permits except those required by the Department of Agriculture, and includes all species not listed in other classes.
