PET REGULATIONS IN MISSOURI
If you're wanting to purchase or adopt a new pet, use these resources to help you find out if the pet you want is prohibited or controlled (i.e., requires a permit) in your state. And don't forget to do some research on the pet you want. Many pets are expensive, time consuming, and can live for a long time. Be prepared to properly care for your pet for its entire lifetime.
Missouri prohibited and controlled species info
The Wildlife Code of Missouri, Division 10, Chapter 4 Wildlife code: General Provisions establishes prohibited species, which may not be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed alive in Missouri without written approval of the director. https://s1.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3c10-4.pdf
3 CSR 10-4.117 Prohibited Species PURPOSE: This rule establishes a list of species that may not be possessed in Missouri. (1) Prohibited species may not be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed alive in Missouri without written approval of the director. (2) For the purpose of this rule, prohibited species of wildlife shall include the following:
(A) Mammals: Any species of flying fox or fruit bat of the genus Pteropus; any species of mongoose or meerkat of the genera Atilax, Cynictis, Helogale, Herpestes, Ichneumia, Mungos, or Suricata; any species of the Indian wild dog, red dog, or dhole of the genus Cuon; any species of the multimammat rat or mouse of the genus Mastomys; raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides; brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula;
(B) Birds: pink starling or rosy pastor, Sturnus roseus; species of dioch (including the subspecies black-fronted, red-billed, or Sudan dioch), Quelea quelea; Java sparrow, Padda oryzivora; red whiskered bul-bul, Pycnonotus jocosus;
(C) Fishes: Live fish or viable eggs of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus); round goby (Neogobius melanostomus); tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris); snakehead fish of the genera Channa or Parachanna (or the generic synonyms of Bostrychoides, Ophicephalus, Ophiocephalus, and Parophiocephalus); walking catfish of the family Clariidae;
(D) Invertebrates: New Zealand mudsnail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum; rusty crayfish, Faxonius rusticus; marbled crayfish, Procambarus virginalis; crayfish of the genus Cherax; electric blue crayfish, Procambarus alleni; mitten crabs of the genus Eriocheir; zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha; quagga mussels, Dreissena rostriformis; mystery snails of the genus Cipangopaludina; and
(E) Reptiles: Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus; common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis.
(Full wildlife code: https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3csr.asp)
In addition, no person may keep any of the following animals in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific, or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuge, unless such person has registered such animals with the local law enforcement agency in the county in which the animal is kept:
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- Lion
- Tiger
- Leopard
- Ocelot
- Jaguar
- Cheetah
- Margay
- Mountain lion
- Canada lynx
- Bobcat
- Jaguarundi
- Hyena
- Wolf
- Bear
- Nonhuman primate
- Coyote
- Any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile
- Any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long
Now, keep in mind, just because an animal is legal to own in the state, it doesn’t mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep, and which are not. Consider checking with your local city and/or county for their regulations regarding what pets you can and can’t own. It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife.
For more information on prohibited species, please see the links below.